Head to head

Harvey Wallbanger vs. Pimm’s Cup

Harvey Wallbanger and Pimm’s Cup side by side: what changes in the recipe, the balance, the strength and the calories.

The difference, by the numbers

They have no ingredient in common: the Harvey Wallbanger has vodka, orange juice and Galliano, the Pimm’s Cup Pimm’s No. 1 and lemon-lime soda. In parts, a Harvey Wallbanger is 1 vodka, 4 orange and ½ Galliano; a Pimm’s Cup is 1 Pimm’s No. 1 and 3 lemon-lime soda. By volume, the Harvey Wallbanger is 73% mixer and juice, 18% spirit and 9% liqueur; the Pimm’s Cup is 75% mixer and juice and 25% liqueur. Different bottles, similar balance: that makes them close cousins on the ratio map.

The Harvey Wallbanger is the stronger drink in the glass (10.1% ABV against 5.7%) and holds more alcohol (1.03 standard drinks against 0.70). The Harvey Wallbanger has more calories (about 176 against 163), but the Pimm’s Cup has more sugar (23.7 g against 15.1 g). Both are built and served in a highball.

On the ratio map

SpiritVermouthCitrusMixerSyrupLiqueurHarvey WallbangerPimm’s Cup

Each drink sits nearer the corners it has more of: spirit, vermouth and bitter, citrus, mixer, syrup or liqueur. The gray dots are the other classics. Explore the full ratio map.