A few days ago Kevin was walking our Bichon, Sophia and started chatting with our neighbors, Terry and Mary.

Mary shared her garden (I guess I need to give her husband Jim some credit, just in case he reads the blog) cucumber bounty with the neighbors. Kevin asked Terry what she was going to do with these tasty treats and she replied “Harvey Wallbangers”

Kevin relayed this story to me and I went immediately to “that’s a happy hour post”, because I’m all about Can I blog this?

Off to the googles I went, in search of some history of this cocktail. As with many drinks, the origins of the Harvey Wallbanger are unclear, so I’m giving my fellow gastronauters different versions. I hope that you’ll add your thoughts in the comments.

From thatsthespirit.com:

Like so many well known drinks there are a couple of theories of its history.

Version 1: Bartender Bill Doner created it while a bartender at ‘The Office’ in Newport Beach, California. Simple and believable.

Version 2: (and much more fun to tell): In California a surfer named Harvey liked his screwdrivers spiked with Galliano. After a bad day, when he lost an important surfing contest, he had one too many. Trying to leave the bar, Harvey stumbled into both furniture and the wall. Being a regular at this bar, and despite his performance, he returned and simply became known as “the Wallbanger”.

I like the second version, because, well, it is more fun to tell.

Without further adieu, I bring you my version of the Harvey Wallbanger

HARVEY WALLBANGER

4 parts vodka ( 2 oz.)

2 parts Galliano (1oz.)

10 parts orange juice ( 5 oz.)

Pour vodka and orange juice over ice cubes in a chilled tall glass. Stir.

Float Galliano on top – you may also mix the Galliano in with the vodka and orange juice if you don’t want to be bothered with the fancy floating liquor thing.

Please add a nice fresh cucumber spear as a garnish, and of course, an official KLAD approved serving of vegetables!

Hat Tip: Terry Delucia.    Thanks Terry!