Gulf Shores, Alabama is well-known for its lovely seashores and attractive seafood. However certainly one of its most iconic exports is the Bushwacker cocktail. This creamy, dreamy libation is the right strategy to cool off on a scorching day. The unique recipe is a boozy chocolate milkshake loaded with rum, vodka, and occasional liqueur. However what if you happen to’re searching for a virgin mocktail?
Don’t fear, we’ve obtained you lined. Fortunately, it’s straightforward to make a scrumptious virgin Bushwacker recipe at house. All you want is a few ice cream, chocolate syrup, and some different easy substances. Very quickly in any respect, you’ll be sipping on a scrumptious non-alcoholic model of this traditional seaside drink.

What’s a Bushwacker?
A Bushwacker is a creamy, chocolatey frozen cocktail that’s typically garnished with whipped cream and a cherry on prime. The unique alcoholic Bushwacker is made with darkish or mild rum, Kahlua, Crème de Cacao, creme of coconut, milk, and ice. Some say it tastes like a chocolatey piña colada. Personally, I believe it tastes like a boozy Wendy’s Frosty.
Historical past of the Bushwacker
The historical past of the Bushwacker cocktail is a bit hazy. I at all times thought it was created at a Gulf Shores, Alabama bar known as the Flora-Bama. That is the bar the place, after I went for the primary time, there was bull using taking place on the sand between the buildings (the occasion was known as Bulls on the Seaside) and I noticed a cowboy on horseback, ingesting a beer, and dancing on the outside dance flooring. Wild night time! I really wrote about this. You’ll be able to discover that article right here.

Nonetheless, the alcoholic drink really originated on the Ship’s Retailer & Sapphire Pub in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Angie Conigliaro created the drink and named it after a visitor’s canine, Bushwack.
The drink gained recognition within the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties and located its strategy to The Flora-Bama Lounge, an iconic seaside bar that straddles the Alabama/Florida state line. At present, you’ll find Bushwackers all alongside the Gulf Coast, from Mississippi to Florida.
Flora-Bama Bushwacker Recipe
Whether or not or not the Flora-Bama was the originator of the Bushwacker, this bar has change into synonymous with the drink. And for motive, they make a imply Bushwacker. The Flora-Bama claims to have served over 2 million of those creamy concoctions since then.
One factor is for positive, this drink is a crowd favourite.

Copycat Flora Bama Bushwacker Recipe (customary recipe – alcoholic)
- 1 ounce Darkish Rum
- 1 ounce Kahlúa
- 1 ounce Darkish Crème de Cacao
- 2 ounces Creme de Coconut
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream
Every thing is put right into a blender and blended till clean. High with whipped cream and a cherry. If you would like it additional thick, add extra ice cream or ice cubes. And if you’d like it much less candy, in the reduction of on the creme de cacao.
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Non-Alcoholic Bushwacker Mocktail Recipe
On a latest go to to Gulf Shores and Orange Seaside, I had lunch on the Flora-Bama Yacht Membership. They’ve nice oysters there and it was my first cease after flying into the Pensacola airport and driving in. I attempted to order a virgin bushwacker, however realized they aren’t accessible as a mocktail. That’s as a result of the drink is premixed and chilled in slushie machines much like piña coladas and frozen margaritas and served frozen straight from the machine.
So I made a decision that after I obtained house, I might tinker and recreate this boozy chocolate deal with as a non-alcoholic, straightforward Bushwacker recipe.
Substances:
1 cup vanilla ice cream
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup espresso liqueur syrup or sturdy brewed espresso, cooled
1 tablespoon rum extract or zero proof rum different
1 tablespoon cream of coconut
1 cup ice cubes
Garnish:
Whipped cream (optionally available)
Maraschino cherries (optionally available)
Directions:
1. Add all substances, besides whipped cream and cherries, to a blender and mix till clean. Add sufficient ice to get the specified consistency you need. It must be a thick frozen cocktail.
2. Pour right into a hurricane glass and garnish with whipped cream and a cherry, if desired.
3. Get pleasure from instantly!
Observe: Gulf Shores’ Southern Shores Espresso off Dolphin and East Second Avenue roasts their very own specialty espresso. They make a Bushwacker roast that tastes actually good on this recipe. It has all of the chocolate, rum, and vanilla notes of the cocktail. I purchased a number of luggage final time I used to be on the town and have used it on this mocktail recipe rather than sturdy brewed espresso.

This virgin Bushwacker recipe is very easy to make and solely requires just a few substances that you just probably have already got available. It makes one serving. For extra servings, merely multiply substances by the variety of drinks wanted.
This actually is a good drink that’s wealthy, creamy, and chocolatey with simply the correct quantity of sweetness. If you wish to add a bit additional one thing, strive rimming the glass with chocolate syrup and sprinkles, a drizzle of caramel, or a sprinkle of nutmeg. You may as well swirl the chocolate syrup across the inside partitions of the glass earlier than including the drink. I believe this may be particularly enjoyable for teenagers!
I hope you take pleasure in this frozen drink recipe for a virgin Bushwacker! Let me know within the feedback beneath if you happen to give it a strive. Cheers!
If you end up planning a visit to Gulf Shores or Orange Seaside, remember to add a cease on the Flora-Bama to your itinerary. It’s a must-do whereas within the space! In case you are touring with the household, strive one of many many different nice eating places within the space together with the Flora Bama Yacht Membership throughout the road. Yow will discover an inventory of my favourite eating places right here.
You’ll additionally discover extra on the Gulf Coast right here:
Have you ever ever tried a Bushwacker? What did you suppose? Let me know within the feedback beneath!
Pleased travels!