Classic Bushwacker Cocktail

This classic Bushwacker cocktail is the best of both worlds! It’s where an adult milkshake meets a creamy rum and coffee flavored cocktail. It’s hands down one of my favorite drinks that gives me my love for all things tropical and my love for coffee. This cocktail can be enjoyed all year round!

If you love this classic drink recipe, check out my Cucumber Sunset Margarita and Velvet Bourbon Coffee, which is also perfect for a nightcap or after-dinner dessert drink!

What is a Bushwacker?

The Classic Bushwacker is typically made with Kahlua, dark rum, crème de cacao (chocolate liquor), cream of coconut, milk, and ice and topped with a maraschino cherry. The original recipe is said to have been made with vodka instead of rum with the addition of triple sec and nutmeg on top. I’ve also seen variations made with vanilla ice cream for more of a milkshake vibe and sometimes it’s made with white rum and amaretto. You might even see a Bushwacker topped with whipped cream, a chocolate sauce-swirled glass, as well as chocolate shavings.

The Origin of a Classic Bushwacker Cocktail

The Bushwacker is where a Piña Colada and Mudslide meet. I’ve also heard people say it’s reminiscent of a frozen White Russian. I’ll have to agree. In 1975, this “adult milkshake” was created by a bartender named Angie Conigliaro and bar manager Tom Brokamp. They both worked at the Ship’s Store, Sapphire Pub at the Sapphire Village in the St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Angie served this drink and encouraged customers to try the boozy cocktail before she had a name for it. It quickly became a favorite among customers and guests, including flight attendants who were stopping through. One of which, had his dog with him. The men discovered the drink that we now know as The Bushwacker — and they loved it! The owner of the pup called the pup by name, which was “Bushwack” — and at Angie’s suggestion, the drink was named and the rest was history!

The popular drink became well-known throughout the Caribbean and wildly popular throughout the Southeastern United States. The Bushwacker is especially popular in Florida and Alabama (eg. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Pensacola or what is known to many, FloraBama).

I knew the Bushwacker existed, but it wasn’t until my recent trip to My Beach Retreat by Nick in Gulf Shores, Alabama that I had my first Bushwacker. You can read more about the origin of the drink here and here!

Bushwacker Spirits

Back in 2022, I randomly stumbled upon a liqueur called “Bushwacker Spirits“. All I had to see written on the front of this creamy-colored bottle was rum cream and coffee. I was SOLD!

In 2020, Bushwacker Spirits put Bushwacker in a ready to drink bottle for the first time in its long history.

Bushwacker spirits

Bushwacker cocktails have become so popular over the years, so there have been many variations created. I’ve tried several ways of making it and they are all good! I couldn’t wait to share my take on the classic drink!

Ingredients You Will Need:

• Rum: white, dark, or coconut-flavored rum: I’ve used both white and dark rum. I also like using a high-proof rum like Parrot Bay Coconut Rum (90% Proof) in my Bushwacker. Regular white/dark rum works great too.
• Coffee liqueur (I like Kahlua): There’s something about the coffee flavor that take this drink to the next level. If you are a coffee lover, you will indeed love this drink!
• Crème de Cacao: One of three types of chocolate liqueurs is crème de cacao. There’s also Chocolate liqueur, and chocolate cream liqueur like Mozart. Which goes exquisitely well and is my chocolate liqueur of choice.
• Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut: Some people are funny about the taste of coconut. You can control how much or how little you add to your cocktail. I personally like it both ways, but usually with a pronounced flavor of coconut. Cut the cream of coconut in half if you want a subtle coconut flavor. You can also rim your glass using cream of coconut. This is totally optional!

Ingredients continued…

• Bushwacker Rum Cream: This addition is totally optional. I fell in love with this rum cream so it was easy to add it to my version. I’ve made my Bushwacker several ways and this is my favorite! Adding the Bushwacker coconut rum cream instead of milk is absolute perfection. It’s so creamy and delicious and I highly recommend it. Of course, if you don’t have it on hand, you can totally swap it out for milk, including dairy-free.
• Homestyle Vanilla Ice Cream: Listen, the vanilla ice cream totally transforms this drink into a dessert. I like good quality ice cream, but if you don’t use ice cream, you will just need to adjust the amount of ice used when blending.
• Ice: The amount of ice used will be determined whether or not ice cream is used. Be sure to check out the notes section in the recipe card.
• Whipped Topping: A great addition, but it’s totally optional!
• Coconut Shavings: Totally optional, but you can rim your glass using cream of coconut.
• Chocolate Sauce(s): Because the chocolate drizzled glass is necessary, I love using Ghirardelli chocolate sauce because it’s thick and freezes well with the drink. I also like to drizzle Torani Chocolate underneath the top layer of whipped cream.
• Maraschino cherry: Either you like them or you don’t. Cherries are totally optional, but they sure do make this drink fun!
• Nutmeg: I’ve heard that some versions use nutmeg blended inside of the Bushwacker, but I like sprinkling this spice on top.

Let’s Make It A Bushwacker Mocktail!

• Iced coffee, cold brew, or alcohol-free Kahlua.
• Rum Extract: You can add rum extract if you like the taste of rum or you can completely leave it out.
• Ice Cream: Dairy or dairy-free ice cream will work great! Just get as close to vanilla!
• Chocolate milk: This could take the place of the chocolate liqueur.
• Dairy Free: Use coconut milk or your favorite dairy free milk or ice cream.
• Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut, Use 1/4 cup for more coconut flavor and 1/8 cup for less.
• Ice: Less liquid = less ice. Start off with 2-3 cups (per serving) and adjust to your liking.
• Other than that, you can leave everything else the same.

I love pairing my Bushwacker with bar food or seafood. If you love this recipe, try these Avocado Queso Taco Sliders and these Lobster and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms. And if you’re looking for a drink on the warmer side, check out this delicious Velvet Bourbon Coffee drink.

Other Drink Recipes to Enjoy!

Cranberry Orange Rosemary Water

Honey Jalapeño Mint Pineapple Spritzer

Black Cherry Cucumber Gimlet

Velvet Bourbon Coffee Drink

If you make this classic Bushwacker cocktail, tag me on social media if you make this recipe. You can find me on socials by following the #myprettybrowneats hashtag on FB, IG, and TikTok! Let’s connect on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok.