Bushwacker Cocktail

Cool off with a frozen bushwacker cocktail. Five types of liquor are pureed with ice and vanilla ice cream. It’s the ultimate boozy summer treat.

hand placing a red and white straw into a frozen bushwacker cocktail topped with whipped cream and a cherry

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It’s a thousand degrees outside right now and I can’t step outside for one second without breaking a sweat. I’m so ready for fall! Unfortunately, I know from experience that Mississippi is a loooong way from cooler weather. So I might as well suck it up and find ways to keep myself cool. A nice, creamy, frozen cocktail sounds like the perfect solution.

bushwacker ingredients include light rum, spiced rum, Kahlua, Amaretto, Cream de Cacoa and ice cream

The Origins of the Bushwacker Cocktail

Bushwacker is a weird name for a cocktail, right? The definition of bushwack means “to attack (someone) by surprise from a hidden place.” Which, if you’re not careful this cocktail definitely could catch you by surprise (there are five different types of liquor in this, after all).

But that’s not how this cocktail came to be named. It’s actually named after a dog. Yes, a dog. An Afghan hound to be exact. The cocktail was invented in 1975 by two bartenders in the Virgin Islands who named the cocktail after a visiting guest’s dog … named Bushwack. The recipe eventually made its way to Florida. Variation of this drink can be found in bars all along the Gulf Coast.

How to Make a Bushwacker Cocktail

Whipping up this cocktail is surprisingly simple. First, fill a blender halfway with ice, then add 3/4 ounce of light rum, 3/4 ounce of spiced rum, 3/4 ounce of Kahlúa, ¾ ounce of Amaretto, and 1 ½ ounces dark creme de cacao. Blend until everything resembles a slushee.

Add three scoops of vanilla cream. Puree again until the mixture resembles a milk shake (I thought it looked kind of like a Wendy’s frosty). If the mixture is too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk. If you want a thicker cocktail, add another scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Pour the bushwackers into individual glasses. I served mine in these clear acrylic tumbler glasses. While they are delicious served as is, I took mine up a notch by adding whipped cream and a cherry. Enjoy!

two frozen bushwacker cocktails with whipped cream, cherries and a red and white straw. Small dish of cherries to the side.

More Cocktail Recipes You Might Enjoy:

hand placing a red and white straw into a frozen bushwacker cocktail topped with whipped cream and a cherry

Frozen Bushwacker Cocktail

Cool off with a frozen bushwacker cocktail. Five types of liquor are pureed with ice and vanilla ice cream. It’s the ultimate boozy summer treat.
4.50 from 2 votes
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Course: Beverages, cocktails
Cuisine: American, Southern
Prep Time: 0 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 563kcal
Author: Lisa B.

Ingredients

  • 3/4 ounce light rum
  • 3/4 ounce spiced rum
  • 3/4 ounce Kahlúa
  • 3/4 ounce Amaretto
  • 1 1/2 ounces dark creme de cacao
  • 3 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • Whipped cream and maraschino cherries optional

Instructions

  • Fill a blender halfway with ice.
  • Add the light rum, spiced rum, Kahlúa, Amaretto, and dark creme de cacao. Blend until everything resembles a slushee.
  • Add three scoops of vanilla cream. Puree again until the mixture resembles a milk shake. If the mixture is too thick, thin it out with a splash of milk. If you want a thicker cocktail, add another scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Pour the bushwackers into individual glasses.
  • Add whipped cream and maraschino cherries, if desired.

Notes

Keep bushwackers frozen until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cocktail | Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 0.9g | Fat: 4.5g | Sodium: 3.6mg | Potassium: 0.8mg | Sugar: 15g

One Comment

4.50 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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