Classic Bushwacker Drink

The Bushwacker drink is like a cross between a chocolate milkshake and a pina colada! This alcoholic frozen cocktail contains Kahlua and crème de cacao.

Here is a frozen cocktail that will surprise you with its creamy and chocolaty taste: the bushwacker Drink! This one is both refreshing and rich… and man are we thrilled that it’s now part of our repertoire. Invented in the 1970s, the Bushwacker is a cross between a chocolate milkshake and a piña colada. It is deliciously sweet with notes of chocolate, coffee and vanilla. It’s perfect for sipping by the pool or as a dessert drink when you’re daydreaming about the sun. Here’s how to make the best bushwacker in the world.

What is a bushwacker?

Bushwacker is an ice-cold alcoholic beverage made with Kahlua, rum, crème de cacao, and coconut cream. It was invented in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, in 1975 and has since grown in popularity, especially in Florida and beach resorts. How did he get his name? The story goes that bartender Angie Conigliaro and restaurant manager Tom Brokamp named it after a guest’s dog, an Afghan Hound named Bushwack!

What’s in a Bushwacker? This frozen milkshake is based on perfectly blended classic cocktail ingredients…not ice cream like you might expect! What you need for a classic Bushwacker drink:

• old rum
• Double
• cocoa cream
• coconut cream (no coconut cream! see below)
• milk
• Ice

Let’s discuss the most unique ingredients, shall we?

What is cocoa cream?

Despite what you may think, crème de cacao is not creamy or made from dairy! This particular liqueur makes a Grasshopper and a Chocolate Martini and is one of the oldest liqueurs ever. Learn more about why you should add it to your collection:

• cocoa cream is a chocolate liqueur, available in white (clear) and black. It may be one of the first alcoholic beverages made by monks in the 16th century after cocoa beans were brought to Europe from America (source). The original Bushwacker had dark crème de cacao, but white is more commonly used, so that’s what we used here.
• How does cocoa cream taste? The white cocoa cream tastes like milk chocolate with a hint of vanilla. Dark Cocoa Cream has a richer flavor with hints of dark chocolate.
• How much is cocoa cream A 750ml bottle costs between $10 and $20.
• Is it worth buying? Yes, if you like dessert drinks! Use it to prepare crème de cacao drinks like Brandy Alexander, Chocolate Martini or Grasshopper.

Make sure it’s coconut cream (not coconut cream)

Another important ingredient in the Bushwacker drink: coconut cream! As you read anything in this article, keep the following in mind: Buy coconut cream, not coconut cream! What is the difference? Here’s what you should know: coconut cream vs. coconut cream:

• coconut cream is a sweet syrup for drinks! It’s made with coconut cream and lots of added sugar. Because it’s used in beverages, it’s sold in convenient squeeze bottles. Coconut Cream is easy to find online or at your local liquor store. A popular brand is Coco Real.
• coconut cream is unsweetened: it is very thick and has a strong coconut flavor. It is usually sold canned along with coconut milk. Coconut cream is made by chilling coconut milk and then skimming off the layer of cream that floats to the top.

What if you accidentally buy coconut cream? You can still save on your bushwhacker drink! Use 1 ounce coconut cream and 1 ounce simple syrup instead of 2 ounces coconut cream.

Prefer with coconut cream? Try popular coconut cocktails like Piña Colada, Chi Chi, Painkiller, Coconut Martini or Bushwacker!

Use Kahlua or any coffee liqueur!

The last ingredient to note in the Bushwacker drink? Kahlua! Kahlua is a type of coffee liqueur: the most popular brand around. But what is it actually?

• Double is a coffee liqueur made in Mexico. It consists of rum, sugar and coffee. There are no dairy products in here either! It is naturally dark brown and tastes like sweet coffee. Kahlua contains caffeine, but it only makes up about 25% of the same amount of coffee.
• How much is Kahlua? A large 750ml bottle costs around $15-$20.
• Is it worth buying? Yes, there are many Kahlua drinks you can use it in! Try it in a Mudslide, Espresso Martini, B-52, Kahlua Coffee, Mind Eraser, Colorado Bulldog, Black Russian, or White Russian.

How to make a Bushwacker drink: some tips!

Once you have your specialty liquor, mixing the Bushwacker drink is a breeze! Here are some points to consider:

• You can use any type of rum; we like aged better. Aged rum has the most delicious and nuanced flavor with hints of vanilla and oak. But you can use any rum you have on hand! White and black also work.
• Use any kind of milk. Anything you have on hand will work, from 2% to full.
• The drink tends to separate, which is normal. Just stir with the straw while drinking!

More sugary and frozen drinks

The Bushwacker belongs to a family of sweet cocktails and frozen alcoholic beverages. Here are some related drinks you might enjoy:

• Painkiller It’s an even tastier and more sophisticated Pina Colada! He also uses coconut cream.
• Strawberry Daiquiri The best daiquiri is homemade, made from frozen strawberries!
• Frozen Margarita The Best Spicy Flavor! The frozen version of everyone’s favorite, the margarita.

When to serve a Bushwacker drink

The Bushwacker cocktail is smooth and refreshing! It’s great like:

• summer drink
• Drink by the pool or by the lake
• Happy hour drink
• Drink at dinner
• Signature cocktail
• girls night drinking