United States

Harvey Wallbanger

Also known as Harvey Wallbanger, Screwdriver with Galliano

A Screwdriver topped with Galliano, turning a basic vodka-orange into something herbal, sweet, and surprisingly distinct.

orangevodkaherbalanisevanillasweetbrunchhighballeasy-drinkingretro

ABV

Difficulty

Overview

What this drink is like

The first sip is bright orange juice cut by clean vodka heat. Mid-palate, the Galliano kicks in with a vanilla-anise sweetness that rounds out the citrus. The finish is soft, slightly syrupy, and leaves a lingering herbal warmth.

Who will like it

For people who like easy-drinking citrus cocktails but want a touch of herbal sweetness instead of just plain juice and booze.

When to drink

This is a daytime drink — pour one at brunch or as a poolside starter before the heavier stuff comes out.

Ordering tip

Ask the bartender to float the Galliano on top rather than shaking it in, so you get that distinct herbal aroma on the first sip.

Ice: CubedTemp: ColdCost: $2–$4Glass: HighballBatch-friendlyHome bar friendly

Flavor

Taste profile

This is a sweet, citrus-forward drink with a soft, herbal edge. The orange juice does the heavy lifting up front, but the Galliano steps in right after with a vanilla-anise sweetness that changes the whole profile from a standard vodka-juice combo. It's light and cold, with just enough going on to keep it interesting without demanding too much attention. The body is slightly syrupy from the liqueur, but the ice and juice keep it easy to sip.

Finish: The finish is short and sweet, leaving a lingering vanilla and faint licorice warmth on the tongue.

Primary tastes

sweetfruityherbal

Secondary

bitter

Aroma

orange zestvanillaanise

Bitternesslow bitterness
Only a faint bitter edge from the orange peel and the herbal notes in the Galliano.
Sweetnessfairly sweet
The orange juice and Galliano both bring a lot of sugar, making this a noticeably sweet drink.
Sournessmild acidity
The orange juice adds some tartness, but it's mellow and doesn't bite like lemon or lime.
Strengthmoderate strength
The juice and ice dilute the vodka down, so the alcohol is present but not aggressive.
Refreshingquite refreshing
Cold orange juice over lots of ice makes this a cooling, easy-drinking cocktail.
Creaminesslight body
The Galliano adds a slight syrupy weight to the mouthfeel, but it's still a light drink.
Complexitymoderate complexity
It's a simple drink at its core, but the Galliano's vanilla-anise layer adds a twist you don't get in a plain Screwdriver.

Recipe

Make it at home

Built · Highball · equal parts on Vodka. A neutral, clean vodka works best here so the Galliano can shine

Before you start

Pull out a tall highball glass and get your ice ready. If you're squeezing fresh oranges, do that first so the juice is cold and ready to pour.

Ingredients

VodkaBase Spirit45ml
Orange JuiceJuiceFresh squeezed is best; avoid pulp-heavy store-bought juice90ml
Galliano L'AutenticoLiqueurThe herbal vanilla-anise liqueur that defines this drink15ml
Orange sliceGarnish1 slice
Maraschino cherryoptionalGarnish1 cherry

Garnish: Orange slice, Maraschino cherry

Tools

Highball glass · Serving
The serving vessel that holds the drink and ice
At home: Any tall glass tumbler
Jigger · Measuring
To measure the vodka, orange juice, and Galliano accurately
At home: Measuring spoons or a small shot glass
Bar spoon · Mixing
To gently stir the vodka and juice, and to float the Galliano on top
At home: A long spoon or chopstick

Steps

1
Fill your highball glass to the top with ice. Cubed ice works best because it melts slower than crushed ice and keeps the drink from watering down too fast.
!Using crushed ice will dilute the drink too quickly as you stir.
2
Pour 45ml of vodka directly over the ice in the glass. The cold ice will start chilling the vodka right away.
3
Add 90ml of orange juice to the glass. Take your bar spoon and stir gently for about ten seconds just to mix the vodka and juice together. You'll know you're done when the outside of the glass feels cold and the liquid looks evenly mixed.
~10s
!Stirring too vigorously makes the orange juice foam up and get frothy.
4
Take 15ml of Galliano and pour it slowly over the back of your bar spoon so it floats on top of the drink. The layer of golden liqueur sitting on the surface is what gives the drink its signature aroma.
!Pouring the Galliano straight in too fast makes it sink and mix, losing the float.
5
Place an orange slice on the rim of the glass and drop a cherry in if you're using one. Serve it right away while it's still cold and the Galliano float is intact.

Serve

Serve it in the highball glass you built it in, packed with ice. The drink should be sipped so the Galliano float mixes slowly with the orange and vodka as you drink.

Variations

Ingredient substitutions

Each row shows what you can swap in place of an original ingredient, and how the drink changes.

Swap options for Galliano L'Autentico

Galliano L'AutenticoLicor 43
Match
Specialty availability
Galliano L'Autentico → Licor 43: Adds vanilla and citrus notes but loses the distinct anise-herbal character of Galliano.
Galliano L'AutenticoSambuca
Match
Common availability
Galliano L'Autentico → Sambuca: Brings a stronger, sharper anise flavor without the vanilla sweetness and complexity.

Similar cocktails

Cousin drinks that share DNA with this one — each profile stands on its own.

Similar cocktail

Screwdriver

The Screwdriver lacks the Galliano, making it a simpler, less sweet drink without the herbal finish.

Match

Both are cold, citrusy vodka drinks, but the Galliano makes the Harvey sweeter and gives it a distinct herbal, spiced finish the Screwdriver lacks.

In common: built in glass, vodka-orange base, brunch staple, easy drinking

Ingredients

Both share

Vodka, Orange Juice

Only in Harvey Wallbanger

Galliano L'Autentico

The Harvey Wallbanger is a Screwdriver with 15ml of Galliano floated on top, adding a vanilla-anise layer.

Flavor

Shared flavors

bright orange juice, clean vodka base, cold and refreshing

How Screwdriver differs

sweeter, herbal finish, heavier body

View recipe & details →

Similar cocktail

Yellow Bird

The Yellow Bird adds rum and triple sec, shifting the flavor toward a more complex, sharper tropical cocktail.

Match

The Yellow Bird is tangier and boozier from the rum and lime, while the Harvey is softer and defined by its vanilla-anise top note.

In common: tropical, fruit-forward, served cold

Ingredients

Both share

Vodka, Orange Juice

Only in Harvey Wallbanger

Galliano L'Autentico

Only in Yellow Bird

White Rum, Triple Sec, Lime Juice

Yellow Bird swaps the Galliano for rum, triple sec, and lime, making it a sharper, more tart tropical drink.

Flavor

Shared flavors

citrus fruit base, sweet profile

How Yellow Bird differs

tarter, stronger, less herbal

View recipe & details →

History

Origin

The exact origin is disputed, but the drink first appeared in the 1950s as a Screwdriver variation with Galliano. It gained its name and massive popularity in the 1970s, often credited to a surfer named Harvey who reportedly knocked into walls after drinking them, though that story is likely marketing folklore rather than verified fact.

Era: 1950s
IBA: Contemporary Classics
Data version: IBA Contemporary Classics
Confidence

The IBA spec lists this as an official Contemporary Classic. The origin story about the surfer is widely cited but unverified and likely fabricated marketing.

Practical

Tips & pitfalls

What works at home and what to skip when making this drink.

Tips

Worth knowing before you pour

Fresh orange juice makes a huge difference here, so squeeze it yourself if you can.
Float the Galliano last so the herbal aroma hits your nose on the first sip.
Use a tall spoon to pour the Galliano over for a clean float.
Chill your glass in the freezer for ten minutes beforehand to keep the ice from melting fast.

Avoid

Common mistakes

Don't shake this drink; stirring keeps the orange juice from getting frothy.
Avoid cheap, bitter orange juice, it clashes with the Galliano.
Don't skip the float, stirring the Galliano in defeats the whole point.