Bushwacker Drinks are the equivalent of a boozy coffee chocolate milkshake. This frozen cocktail packs a punch and many people will warn you not to get bushwacked by drinking one too fast. They are delicious and so easy to make.
Bushwacker Drink Recipe
We first tried a Bushwacker on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands during our first Caribbean Cruise. We had heard they were amazing and had one after taking the Skyride to paradise point on St. Thomas. The Restaurant & Bar at Paradise Point calls itself the Home of the Bailey’s Bushwacker.
You know we had to try one on a hot sunny tropical day.
This was way back in 2010. Since then we have learned a lot about the history of the Bushwacker and how it came to be one of the most popular drinks in Gulf Shores and along the Gulf Coast.
Southern Living has an amazing article about the history of the Original Bushwacker and how it was invented in 1975 when a Pensacola Beach Sandshaker bar owner went to St. Thomas and experienced the drink for the 1st time. They came back to their bar and created their own version.
The owner of Flora-Bama, one of the most popular local beach bars that straddle the Florida and Alabama state line created his own version of the Bushwacker that now has cult followers.
When we were planning our latest trip to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach I knew that we had to sample at least one epic frozen Bushwacker Drink while there.
Many of our favorite Gulf Shores restaurants serve Bushwhackers including LuLu's Gulf Shores which serves their Lulu's World Famous Bushwacker that has a special blend of Vanilla Ice Cream, Coffee Liqueur, and Cruzan Coconut Rum.
We can't wait to try the bushwacker drink at the Pink Pony Pub, The Hangout, and other great Gulf Shores and Orange Beach restaurants.
Plus we needed to finally share how to make this coffee chocolate milkshake cocktail at home for those days when you are not soaking up the sun and relaxing by a palm tree.
If you like piña coladas....
Did that line instantly get the song in your head? I am now singing it as I write this and my husband just started playing it on his phone after I mentioned using the line. LOL
I do want to warn you that this alcoholic drink can sneak up on you. It is so smooth and easy to drink that you may forget that it is a boozy milkshake. Make sure you do not get bushwacked and enjoy it slowly.
Every bar has its own version of this iconic tropical drink. There are a few differences between the original St. Thomas version and the one found in Pensacola and along the Gulf Coast.
Most use a base of Kahlua coffee liqueur, Crème de Cacao, and ice. From there the recipes may include Irish cream, cream of coconut, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and milk.
The chocolate pina colada versions use cream of coconut to give this chocolate boozy milkshake a tropical twist.
If you are wondering how the Bushwacker got its name you may be surprised to hear that it was named after a dog.
Yep, you read that right! This tropical chocolate pina colada was named at the Ship's Store & Sapphire Pub by bartender Angie Conigliaro and restaurant manager Tom Brokamp who named it after a guest’s Afghan hound named Bushwack! While it was invented on the island of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands it is now popular all over the world.
Today we are sharing the world-famous Lulu's Bushwacker Recipe! This recipe was found in Lucy Buffet's LuLu's Kitchen Cookbook. This cookbook is filled with epic recipes we can't wait to make.
Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the simple ingredients that you'll need to make an epic Bushwacker Drink! Specific measurements and step by step instructions are included in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Kahlua
- Malibu Coconut Rum
- Dark Creme de cacao
- Dark Rum
- Half and Half
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Chocolate Syrup
- Ice Cubes
Garnish - Maraschino Cherry
Optional - Shaved chocolate onto the top of your Bushwacker
Variations - Some recipes include Baileys Irish Cream liqueur, coconut cream, cream of coconut, triple sec, amaretto liqueurs, flavored rums.
Equipment Needed
Blender - We are huge fans of the Ninja Blender and love how it makes frosted tropical drinks.
Hurricane Glass - For a truly tropical look serve this drink in a hurricane glass.
How to make a Bushwacker
I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post but here's a quick version.
Blend it all together and serve!
Recipe Tips
You can customize this recipe to fit your favorite flavors. Add in a bit of this or take out a bit of that to get the perfect blended tropical drink you love.
To make your drink even stronger you can add a floater of rum on top.
There are hundreds of variations of the Bushwacker depending on where you order one and what part of the country you are visiting. Every restaurant has its own "secret" recipe.
Imagine the Bushwacker is a Pina Colada and Mudslide that ended up in the same blender. Sweet, creamy, and boozy!
When to serve a Bushwacker Cocktail
- Mardi Gras
- Tropical Beach Party
- Summer barbecue
- Just because
- Pool or Lake drink
- Signature cocktail
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LuLu's Bushwacker Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Kahlua Coffee Liqueur coffee liqueur
- 2 ounces Malibu Coconut Rum coconut liqueur
- 1 Ounce Creme de Cacao Liqueur chocolate liqueur
- 1½ ounces dark rum
- 2 ounces half-and-half
- 1 scoop vanilla ice cream
- 1 to 2 Cups Ice crushed
- Chocolate syrup
- Splash of dark rum optional
- Maraschino cherries for garnish
Instructions
- Pour all liqueurs, rum, half-and-half, ice cream and ice in blender. Blend until smooth.
- Swirl large glass with chocolate syrup.
- Pour drink into glass. Top with additional splash of dark rum and garnish with a cherry.
Kitchen Tools
- Blender
- Hurricane Glass
Laurie Rasor
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