A Bushwacker cocktail tastes like a chocolate milkshake. This frozen drink is made by blending dark rum, coffee liqueur, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, whole milk and ice. This sweet and strong cocktail was created in the Virgin Islands and makes a fantastic poolside drink. Think of it as the chocolate cousin to the Piña Colada. Today, we’ll teach you how to make a Bushwacker drink with tips and variations.
More Rum Drinks: Mojito, Rum Runner, Jungle Bird, Mai Tai, Painkiller, Cuba Libre, Dark & Stormy.
Ingredients in a Bushwacker
- Dark Rum – Choose a dark or black rum. You can even use a light rum if needed.
- Coffee Liqueur – Such as Kahlúa.
- Creme De Cacao – A coffee-flavored liqueur made with cocoa beans, vanilla and vodka.
- Cream of Coconut – Not to be confused with “coconut cream” or “coconut milk,” cream of coconut is sweet and rich. We like to use the bottled kind of Coco Lopez.
- Whole Milk – Or any kind of milk you have on hand (preferably something thicker like whole milk or half and half).
- Ice
For this drink, you will need a high speed blender. My favorite blender is the Vitamix blender. My favorite (more affordable) option is this Ninja blender. To serve the drink, any tall glass will do. You can choose between something simple like we used or a hurricane glass.
Instructions
Combine dark rum, coffee liqueur, cream de cacao, cream of coconut and whole milk in a blender. Add a large handful or scoop of ice.
Next, blend for 10 seconds or more until fully blended and frothy.
Optional, prepare the inside of your glass with a drizzle of chocolate syrup for garnish.
Lastly, pour the blended drink into a glass with a straw and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Tips for Making
- If you want to make an extra creamy milkshake version, you can use half as much ice (or no ice) and a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.
- To add to the adult milkshake appeal, you can top the drink with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Variations
- There’s room for substitutions within these ingredients. Other popular additions are Bailey’s Irish Cream, Amaretto or Frangelico, which is a hazelnut liqueur.
- Some recipes call for a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on top of the drink. This adds an aromatic appeal.
- Some recipes top the drink with a boozy floater such as chocolate liqueur, or even rum.
More Coffee Cocktails
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Bushwacker made of?
This Bushwacker recipe calls for dark rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, whole milk and ice. The original recipe is said to have included rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream, creme de cacao and coconut cream. Many slight variations exist for this tasty recipe.
What is the difference between a Mudslide and a Bushwacker?
While both drinks are similar, the biggest difference is that the Mudslide is a vodka-based drink that is prepared in a cocktail shaker and the Bushwacker is a rum-based drink prepared in a blender.
Why is it called a Bushwacker?
This drink was created by bartender Angie Conigliaro at the Ship’s Store & Sapphire Pub on the island of St. Thomas in the USVI in 1975. The drink was named after a bar patron’s dog. The popularity of the drink spread quickly as the owner of a Pensacola, Florida bar, The Sandshaker Lounge, visited on vacation and began serving the drink at her bar. Pensacola now hosts an annual festival in honor of the Bushwacker.
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Learn to make a Bushwacker cocktail using dark rum, coffee liqueur, creme de cacao, cream of coconut, whole milk and ice.
Instructions
-
Combine dark rum, coffee liqueur, cream de cacao, cream of coconut and whole milk in a blender. Add a large handful or scoop of ice.
-
Blend for 10 seconds or more until fully blended and frothy.
-
Optional, prepare the inside of your glass with a drizzle of chocolate syrup for garnish.
-
Pour the blended drink into a glass with a straw and a maraschino cherry. Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you want to make an extra creamy milkshake version, you can use half as much ice (or no ice) and a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.
- To add to the adult milkshake appeal, you can top the drink with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.
Variations
- There’s room for substitutions within these ingredients. Other popular additions are Bailey’s Irish Cream, Amaretto or Frangelico, which is a hazelnut liqueur.
- Some recipes call for a sprinkle of fresh nutmeg on the top of the drink. This adds an aromatic appeal.
- Some recipes top the drink with a boozy floater such as chocolate liqueur, or even rum.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Bushwacker
Amount per Serving
% Daily Value*
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
