Bushwacker

A Bushwacker cocktail is a sweet, frozen rum drink with a rich chocolate-and-coffee flavor and a texture similar to a milkshake. Blended with cream of coconut, milk, and ice, it makes a cool poolside drink. The cocktail originated in the Virgin Islands and is sometimes described as a chocolatey cousin of the Piña Colada. This recipe makes one serving in about five minutes.

If you enjoy rum cocktails, you might also like a Mojito, Rum Runner, Jungle Bird, Mai Tai, Painkiller, Cuba Libre, or Dark & Stormy.

Ingredients for a Bushwacker Cocktail

• Dark rum: Dark or black rum gives the drink depth. Light rum can be used if that is what you have available.
• Coffee liqueur: Adds the drink’s coffee notes.
• Crème de cacao: A chocolate-flavored liqueur that contributes to the dessert-like taste.
• Cream of coconut: This sweet, thick product is different from unsweetened coconut cream or coconut milk. Check the label so you get the sweetened cocktail ingredient.
• Whole milk: Whole milk makes the drink creamy. Half-and-half or another milk can be used, though the texture may vary.
• Ice: Helps create the frozen, blended consistency.

A high-speed blender is useful for breaking down the ice evenly. Serve the drink in a tall glass or a hurricane glass, and blend just until smooth and frothy to avoid letting the ice melt too much.

How to Make a Bushwacker

1. Add 2 ounces of dark rum, 1 ounce of coffee liqueur, 1 ounce of crème de cacao, 1 ounce of cream of coconut, and 2 ounces of whole milk to a blender.
2. Add 1 cup of ice, then blend for at least 10 seconds, until the mixture is smooth and frothy.
3. For an optional garnish, drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring.
4. Pour the drink into the glass and serve straight away with a straw. Add a maraschino cherry if desired.

For the best texture, make the drink just before serving. If the mixture is too thick to blend, pause and stir it rather than adding a large amount of extra liquid at once.

Tips and Variations

• Make it extra creamy: Use half as much ice, or leave out the ice and blend in one or two scoops of vanilla ice cream.
• Add a topping: Whipped cream and a maraschino cherry give the drink a dessert-style finish.
• Try a flavor variation: Some versions include Irish cream, amaretto, or hazelnut liqueur. These additions will change the flavor and sweetness, so adjust to taste.
• Add aroma: A light sprinkle of freshly grated nutmeg is another option.
• Use a liqueur float: A small pour of chocolate liqueur or rum on top makes a stronger finish.

The drink is sweet and contains multiple alcoholic ingredients, so serve it as a cocktail rather than treating it like a nonalcoholic milkshake.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bushwacker made of?

This version combines dark rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, whole milk, and ice. Recipes vary; some include Irish cream or use different proportions.

What is the difference between a Mudslide and a Bushwacker?

Both drinks can have creamy, dessert-like flavors. A common distinction is that a Mudslide is vodka-based and typically mixed in a shaker, while a Bushwacker is rum-based and blended with ice.

Why is it called a Bushwacker?

The drink is credited to bartender Angie Conigliaro, who created it on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 1975. It was named after a bar patron’s dog. The recipe later became popular in Pensacola, Florida, where an annual festival celebrates the drink.

Bushwacker Cocktail Recipe

Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ounces dark rum
• 1 ounce coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce crème de cacao
• 1 ounce cream of coconut
• 2 ounces whole milk
• 1 cup ice

Equipment

• High-speed blender
• Tall glass

Instructions

1. Place the rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, whole milk, and ice in a blender.
2. Blend for 10 seconds or longer, until smooth and frothy.
3. Drizzle chocolate syrup inside the glass if desired.
4. Pour in the blended drink, garnish with a maraschino cherry if you like, and serve immediately.

Nutrition Information

One serving is listed at 483 calories, with 51 grams of carbohydrates, 43 grams of sugar, 7 grams of fat, and 2 grams of protein. Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the ingredients used.

For a creamy frozen drink with classic rum, coconut, coffee, and chocolate flavors, this Bushwacker cocktail is simple to blend at home. Measure the ingredients, blend with ice until frothy, and serve it immediately for the smoothest texture.