Classic Bushwacker Recipe (Frozen Chocolate Coconut Cocktail)
Ah, the Bushwacker. If you’ve ever been to Gulf Shores (or any self-respecting beach town in the Southeast), you’ve probably encountered this frozen, chocolatey concoction that will have you questioning whether you’re drinking a cocktail or a dessert.
Spoiler alert: it’s both.
This creamy frozen cocktail combines rum, coffee and chocolate liqueurs, cream of coconut, and vanilla ice cream into something that tastes suspiciously like an adult milkshake. But don’t let all that chocolate and coconut fool you – there’s quite a bit of booze hiding underneath.
Bushwackers are so closely associated with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach that they’ve become a signature drink of Alabama’s beaches. But the drink actually got its start much farther south in the U.S. Virgin Islands before making its way to the Gulf Coast.
This recipe comes from Cocktails, Southern Style by Belinda Smith-Sullivan. Her original recipe makes four servings, but I’ve also broken it down below so you can make one Bushwacker when you don’t need an entire blender full.
Because sometimes restraint is a virtue.
Quick Look: This frozen Bushwacker combines chocolate, coffee, coconut, rum, and vanilla ice cream. It takes about 5 minutes to make and can easily be prepared as one cocktail or a blender full for friends.
What Is a Bushwacker?
A Bushwacker is a frozen alcoholic cocktail typically made with a combination of rum or vodka, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, and milk, cream, or ice cream.
There isn’t one universal Bushwacker recipe. Beach bars throughout Florida and Alabama have put their own spin on the drink, which is part of the fun.
This version uses vanilla ice cream, giving it an especially rich and creamy consistency.
Think of it as a piña colada meeting a Mudslide, with coconut joining the chocolate-and-coffee party.
Is a Bushwacker the Same as a Mudslide?
Not quite.
Both are creamy cocktails featuring coffee and chocolate flavors, but a Bushwacker traditionally brings coconut into the mix. That tropical flavor is one of the things that separates it from a Mudslide – and makes considerably more sense when you’re drinking one near the Gulf of Mexico.
Ingredients for One Serving:
- 1 ounce creme of coconut
- ½ ounce Kahlua
- ½ ounce Irish cream liqueur
- ½ ounce creme de cacao
- ½ ounce dark rum
- ¼ ounce chocolate sauce or syrup
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream
- ¾ cup ice
- Whipped cream, freshly grated nutmeg, and a maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but highly recommended)
Cream of Coconut vs. Coconut Cream
Make sure you buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream.
Cream of coconut is sweetened and made specifically for drinks and desserts. Coconut cream is generally unsweetened and used in cooking.
Directions:
- Toss the ice into a blender, followed by the creme of coconut, Kahlua, Irish cream, creme de cacao, dark rum, and chocolate sauce. Blend until the ice is finely chopped.
- Add the vanilla ice cream and blend again until smooth and creamy.
- Pour into a hurricane glass (or whatever fancy glass you feel like using – no judgment here). Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of nutmeg, and a cherry on top if you’re feeling extra fancy.
Sip, savor, and pretend you’re lounging on a white sandy beach.
You must be 21 or older to enjoy this cocktail. Please drink responsibly. Its milkshake tendencies make it very easy to forget there’s alcohol hiding in there.
Tips for a Smooth and Creamy Bushwacker
A good Bushwacker should be thick and creamy rather than watery or full of big chunks of ice.
- Blend the liquids and ice first. This gives the blender a chance to break down the ice before you add the ice cream.
- Add the ice cream last. Once it goes into the blender, blend only until the cocktail is smooth.
- If it’s too thick: Add a small splash of milk or a little more of one of the liquid ingredients.
- If it’s too thin: Add a little more ice cream or a few additional ice cubes and blend again.
- Don’t overblend it. The longer everything whirls around in the blender, the more the ice melts.
Bushwacker Ingredient Substitutions
One reason there are so many Bushwacker recipes is that bartenders have been tinkering with this cocktail for decades.
- No Irish cream? You can leave it out, although you’ll lose some of the richness. Try replacing it with a little additional coffee liqueur or cream.
- No crème de cacao? A little additional chocolate syrup will keep the chocolate flavor going, although the finished drink won’t taste exactly the same.
- No dark rum? Try another variety of rum. Interestingly, the original Bushwacker was made with vodka rather than rum.
- Want a less boozy Bushwacker? Reduce the amount of the liqueurs rather than adding more ice, which can make the cocktail watery.
Bushwacker Variations
Once you’ve made the basic Bushwacker, there’s plenty of room to play around.
- Chocolate Bushwacker: Add extra chocolate syrup or substitute chocolate ice cream for vanilla.
- Coffee Bushwacker: Add a little extra coffee liqueur or a small amount of chilled espresso.
- Nutty Bushwacker: Add a splash of hazelnut or almond liqueur.
- Extra Coconut Bushwacker: Add a little more cream of coconut to bring the coconut flavor forward.
If you’ve ordered Bushwackers at several beach bars, you’ve probably already discovered the fundamental truth of Bushwacker drinking: everybody seems to make theirs a little differently.
Where Did the Bushwacker Come From?
Despite its strong connection to the Gulf Coast, the Bushwacker wasn’t invented in Alabama or Florida.
The cocktail was created in 1975 at the Ship’s Store/Sapphire Pub in St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Bartender Angie Conigliaro and manager Tom Brokamp are credited with creating the drink while experimenting with a tropical variation on a White Russian.
And the unusual name?
According to accounts of the cocktail’s history, customers came into the bar with an Afghan Hound named Bushwack. The customers liked the unnamed cocktail, everyone apparently liked the dog, and the drink eventually inherited his name.
Frankly, there are worse ways to name a cocktail.
How the Bushwacker Became a Gulf Coast Favorite
The Bushwacker eventually traveled north to Pensacola Beach, where the Sandshaker began serving its own version in 1977.
From there, the frozen cocktail spread along the northern Gulf Coast, with restaurants and beach bars developing their own recipes.
Today, Bushwackers are particularly associated with Pensacola Beach, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism considers the Bushwacker the signature drink of Alabama’s beaches. There’s even a Bushwacker Trail highlighting different versions served around the area.
So if you’ve ever wondered why Bushwackers seem to appear everywhere once you reach the Alabama Gulf Coast, you’re not imagining things.
If you’re heading that way, check out my recommendations for where to eat in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach while you’re planning your trip.
FAQs
Absolutely.
The full recipe in the recipe card below makes four servings and is a better choice when you’re serving several people.
For the best consistency, though, I wouldn’t blend Bushwackers several hours ahead of time. They’ll melt and separate as they sit.
Instead, measure the liqueurs, rum, cream of coconut, and chocolate syrup ahead of time and refrigerate the mixture.
When you’re ready to serve, pour it into the blender with the ice and add the ice cream at the end.
If you’re serving a crowd, prepare the liquid mixture in advance and blend fresh batches throughout the party.
You can make a dairy-free variation, but you’ll need to make a few substitutions.
Replace the vanilla ice cream with a dairy-free frozen dessert, such as one made with coconut milk.
You’ll also need to replace the Irish cream with a dairy-free alternative. Check the labels of the individual liqueurs you’re using if avoiding dairy is important.
With coconut already playing such a big role in a Bushwacker, this is actually a cocktail that lends itself pretty well to dairy-free experimentation.
A hurricane glass gives a Bushwacker the classic tropical-cocktail treatment, but don’t let a lack of fancy glassware stand between you and your frozen drink.
A tall cocktail glass, milkshake glass, or other large glass works just fine.
For the full beach-bar effect, top it with whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, freshly grated nutmeg, and a maraschino cherry.
What To Serve With a Bushwacker
Bushwackers are rich, creamy, chocolatey, and sweet, so they’re especially good with salty and savory foods.
Try one alongside grilled or peel-and-eat shrimp, burgers, French fries, seafood, or other beach-food favorites.
Or don’t serve anything with it.
A Bushwacker is basically a cocktail that looked at dessert and said, I can do both.
If you love the rich, dessert-vibe of a Bushwacker, you might also dig the fruity brightness of Rum Punch, the zesty kick of Lemon Drop Shots, or the laid-back tropical vibes in the Perfect Beach Cocktail. Each one brings its own kind of party to the glass—so mix them up, serve them cold, and enjoy the beachy side of life.
Classic Bushwacker
Ingredients
Method
- Place 3 cups of ice in a blender. Add the creme of coconut, Kahlua, Irish creme, creme de cacao, rum, and chocolate sauce. Cover and process until the ice is finely chopped.
- Add the ice cream and process until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and garnish as desired.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!About: Cocktails, Southern Style
This Bushwacker recipe comes from Cocktails, Southern Style by Belinda Smith-Sullivan, a collection of around 90 recipes celebrating Southern cocktail culture.
Smith-Sullivan is a chef, food writer, and graduate of Johnson & Wales University, and the book includes everything from celebration cocktails and brunch drinks to afternoon porch sippers, spritzes, beer cocktails, and mocktails.
There’s also a bonus selection of Southern snacks, including Mini Hot Browns, Pimento Cheese and Tomato Sliders, Sausage Roll Poppers, and Crab Hush Puppies. Because cocktails are nice, but cocktails with snacks are better.
If you’d like to explore more of her recipes, you can use my Amazon affiliate link to purchase Cocktails, Southern Style.
Last Bite
The Bushwacker may have been born in the Virgin Islands, but the Gulf Coast has certainly claimed it as one of its own. Make this creamy frozen cocktail whenever you’re craving a little beach vacation without actually packing a suitcase.
Have you tried a Bushwacker in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, or Pensacola? Tell me in the comments where you had your favorite – and whether you think a homemade Bushwacker can compete with the beach-bar version.
21+ only. Please drink responsibly.
This is an absolutely delicious drink – don’t forget, though, that it is an adult beverage!