Bushwacker Recipe & How to Make a Cream of Coconut

Sharing our classic Bushwacker recipe, a frozen cocktail (that’s a mix between a chocolate milkshake and piña colada) and tips on how to make your own homemade cream of coconut.

the best Bushwacker | recipe by sugar and cloth

The Bushwacker is a grown-up “milkshake” that is sweet, creamy, and very addictive!

It is the decadent version of the classic childhood chocolate milkshake with hints of coffee and coconut and a rum base.

And because the Bushwacker is made using a blender, making it for a crowd is a breeze. 

Topped up with whipped cream and a cherry and garnished with chocolate syrup and grated chocolate, you can easily be convinced that you are having a regular “innocent” milkshake!

The Bushwacker is similar to a Mudslide cocktail (so it definitely pairs well with our Boozy Mudslide Icebox Cake).

And it’s kinda the chocolate version of a Piña Colada so if you love those cocktails, you need to try the Bushwacker!

History of the Bushwacker

The cocktail was invented in the 1970’s at Virgin Islands resort named The Ship’s Store & Sapphire Pub on St. Thomas by bartender, Angie Conigliaro.

The original Bushwacker consists of rum, Baileys, coconut cream (which is not the same as coconut milk) and dark creme de cacao.

Nowadays, many recipes include coffee liqueurs and surprising additions like Amaretto or Triple sec.

Some have very little alcohol while others include a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

Our version is a well-balanced chocolate and coffee boozy milkshake that’s not too sweet and not too high in alcohol content. 

In the mood for more coffee cocktails? Try the CarajilloEspresso Martini with Baileys, and Coffee Old Fashioned Cocktail.

ingredients used to make Bushwacker cocktail

What’s in our Bushwacker Cocktail?

Rum — Golden or dark rum of your choice

Kahlua Coffee liqueur — Or any other coffee liquor

Crème de cacao liqueur — A sweet alcoholic liqueur chocolate bean flavored liqueur also used in a Brandy Alexander

Whole milk 

Cream of coconut — Which is not to be confused with coconut milk. You can use store bought options like “Coco Lopez”or make it yourself at home. It’s incredibly easy and cheap to make!

Ice

Whipped cream — For garnish 

Maraschino cherry — For garnish 

Chocolate syrup — For garnish 

Dark chocolate gratings — For garnish 

Useful Equipment to Make a Bushwacker

Blender — Because this cocktail is made using a blender, it’s convenient and quick to make makes, especially for a large crowd.

Jigger — To measure each liquid

Hurricane glass — Also known as Piña colada glass 

Saucepan — If you’re opting to make the cream of coconut at home

Measuring cups — For the homemade version of cream of coconut

Fine grater

Straw

adding the coconut milk, the granulated white sugar, and a pinch of salt to create cream of coconut

How to Make a Homemade Cream of Coconut?

This is a very quick, easy, and cheap ingredient to make at home. It’s used in many cocktails (like the piña colada) and for baking.

Ingredients

1 can of coconut milk

1 cup of granulated white sugar 

Pinch of salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1 — In a saucepan, add the coconut milk, the granulated white sugar, and a pinch of salt. 

2 — Heat on medium while mixing it and let it cook for 5 minutes. Once it becomes almost transparent, it’s done!

Allow to cool and store in a crystal container in the fridge for up to a week. 

adding the ingredients to the blender used to create Bushwacker

How to Make a Bushwacker

1 — Add all the ingredients (ice, rum, Kahlua, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, and whole milk) to the blender. 

3 — Blend and mix well until you get a creamy and thick consistency.

4 — Swirl some chocolate syrup inside your glass.

Pouring the bushwacker into the glass with chocolate syrup

5 — Pour the cocktail into the glass. 

6 — Top up with some whipped cream, freshly grated dark chocolate, and a maraschino cherry. Add a straw and enjoy!

bushwacker Topped up with some whipped cream, freshly grated dark chocolate, and a maraschino cherry

Notes and Tips

The Bushwacker is best consumed right after being made since it has finely blended ice that can melt easily if it sits. 

If you love our Bushwacker recipe, then you’ll surely love these other recipes below — 

a glass of the best Bushwacker with maraschino cherry on top

a glass of the best Bushwacker with maraschino cherry on top

Bushwacker Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes
The Bushwacker is a grown-up “milkshake” for chocolate and coffee lovers!
Prep Time7 minutes
Total Time7 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Cocktails

Equipment

  • Hurricane glass also known as piña colada glass 
  • Straw
  • Saucepan if you’re opting to make the cream of coconut at home
  • Measuring cups for the homemade version of cream of coconut
  • Fine grater

Ingredients

  • 1 oz golden rum
  • 1 oz Kahlua Coffee Liqueur
  • 1 oz crème de cacao liqueur
  • 1 oz cream of coconut
  • 2 oz whole milk
  • 1 cup ice

For Garnish:

  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Dark chocolate grated
  • 1 Maraschino cherry

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 41mg | Potassium: 87mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 50g | Vitamin A: 94IU | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Servings: 1
Calories: 425kcal

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients (ice, rum, Kahlua, crème de cacao, cream of coconut, and whole milk) to the blender.
  • Blend and mix well until you get a creamy and thick consistency.
  • Swirl some chocolate syrup inside your glass.
  • Pour the cocktail into the glass.
  • Top up with some whipped cream, freshly grated dark chocolate, and a maraschino cherry. Add a straw and enjoy!
KEYWORD: bushwacker recipe

Don’t forget to share your Bushwacker with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more quick and delicious recipes? You can find them all right here with a few desserts to go along with them.

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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