The Dale/David Project continues tonight with a couple of Galliano cocktails. I apparently have something of a crush on Galliano. It's one of those ingredients that I once thought of as being in that same category as Creme de Noyaux. Those bottles that sit at the back of your parents' liquor cabinet for years collecting dust; or the bottles that you inventory for years at the bar without ever actually noticing a change (except, perhaps, due to evaporation). For those of you who are unfamiliar with this mixological treasure, it is a brandy-based (I think) liqueur flavored with spices and a vanilla nose. Infrequently used in today's bars, it was a staple of bars a few decades ago, and many of those bottles are still sitting in home bars and liquor cabinets out there. (I would love to go on a home bar raid across America's suburbs and see what kind of treasures I could unearth...)
We bought a bottle for something a while back and then I started to wonder: is there something more, some greater destiny for the Galliano beyond the Harvey Wallbanger? By all accounts the Wallbanger (and its Mexican cousin the Freddy Fudpucker) put Galliano on the American map in the 1960's, and then took it off the map when those drinks fell out of popularity.
This Wallbanger was made with local vodka and fresh oranges from south Texas. Served in a banger-era glass that separates from the bottom piece, a cork-lined metal koozie of sorts.
First we made the Harvey Wallbanger. I do not know the origin of this beverage. It is a screwdriver with a floater of Galliano; being a vodka drink I am suspecting that it comes from the 1960's or 70's, when vodka drinks started infecting American cocktail menus. It appears in the 1977 Jones' Complete Bar Guide, but not in the Trader Vic's Bartender's Guide (1972) or the Playboy's Host & Bar Book (1971). The Screwdriver does appear in these volumes; however, neither the Screwdriver nor the Harvey Wallbanger appear in Ted Saucier's 1951 tome Bottom's Up, which mercifully has only 16 vodka cocktails. Such times were those! Only 16 vodka cocktails!!
Next up we made the Freddy Fudpucker. It is a Tequila version of the Harvey Wallbanger.
Finally, we made a Yellow Bird. I don't know where this comes from and Dale doesn't offer any hints. It consists of Rum, Galliano, Triple Sec and lime juice.
Now for a riddle:
I have two bottles of Galliano: one, the most recent purchase, says "Product of Holland."
The previous bottle, now empty and therefore not available for taste comparison, says, "Product of France." Both boast the claim "recipe created in Italy." But where is it made? Why is this "Italian" spirit being made in France/Holland?
Comments (5)
Hey Tex,
Ah, the gilded golden Galliano.
I remember reading something about the wallbanger. I tried consulting my library, well more like my five books on the subject, and I couldn't find it.
Near as I remember It was named after a real man named Harvey who would come into a bar , I think after a day of snow skiing, and would order an "Italian Screwdriver". At any rate, after a couple of these, one ill fated night he actually ran into a wall. And thus the "Harvey Wallbanger". I can't say I've ever had one, but I've had my moments.
When I was working at Green Pastures,Bob one of the owners told me a good story. He said back in the 70's they would bring out a jumbo sized bottle of Galliano, and pour the floater tableside. Some of the guys working there would make a big show out of it. I think there was even a little basket that the bottle would fit into to make the pouring easier.
On wikipedia, which I trust only slighty, they say that the wallbanger was invented in 1952 by Donato "Duke" Antone. Nothing else is said about the origin.
Keep doing what it is that you do so well .
Cheers, Mike
Posted by Mike | November 22, 2008 2:01 AM
Posted on November 22, 2008 02:01
No idea on your question, but I do know that the formula for the liquor in question changed in the 70s to make it sweeter and that they're rumored to be changing it back shortly and going for a total re-launch.
Also, in other countries, they make other flavors including a sambucca and an amaretto.
Posted by Bill | November 23, 2008 12:03 AM
Posted on November 23, 2008 00:03
Mike--thanks for the story. I would love to find one of those old big Galliano bottles. I don't know if they still make a bottle bigger than the 750ml, but Tipsy's dad has one that must be 3ft tall. I can just imagine Green Pastures in the 70's--fine dining Austin style, complete with tableside Harvey Wallbangers. Tres elegant.
Bill--speaking of Galliano line extensions, I was reading on their Web site about Galliano Balsamico. That sounds bizarre and possibly fabulous.
From what I can tell, the reformulation has already occurred, but obviously hasn't gotten to the States yet. I read something online from someone in Europe about a 47-something % abv version that is on the market there. I know the brand has been bought by Bols, which would explain why it's made in Holland, but it doesn't explain why I have a bottle that says it was made in France...
Posted by Tex | November 23, 2008 1:11 AM
Posted on November 23, 2008 01:11
My first mother in law used to make Harvey Wallbanger Cake in the late 60's. I assume that she also drank the drink......
Posted by janita | November 25, 2008 11:45 PM
Posted on November 25, 2008 23:45
Janita--thank you for mentioning the Wallbanger Cake. My friend Michaela is making one for me. I have also tried to convince my friend at Sugar Mama's Bakeshop to make a Harvey Wallbanger cupcake...I think she's going to give in to my Galliano obsession and do it. But the question is: do you make an orange cupcake with Galliano frosting, or a Galliano cupcake with orange frosting??
Posted by Tex | November 26, 2008 9:30 AM
Posted on November 26, 2008 09:30