Bushwacker at Yoho Rum & Tacos Boat Bar in Orange Beach

50 Ways to Get Your Bushwacker On

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

October 29, 2024

You can’t visit the Alabama Gulf Coast without treating yourself to the area’s signature drink, the bushwacker. Concocted in 1975 at a pub in the Virgin Islands, this creamy, frozen cocktail captures the serene feeling of the beach in a glass. The Sandshaker Beach Bar in Pensacola brought the bushwacker to the states, and soon after, Flora-Bama began serving the drink thanks to the owner frequently visiting The Sandshaker. Flora-Bama’s popularity brought the bushwacker to recognition, and it has since become Alabama's Beaches' signature drink.

But what's in it that makes it taste so good?

Many places offer their own variation of a bushwacker, but most restaurants and bars have similar base ingredients. Commonly used ingredients include rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut and ice cream or milk and ice. These are blended and typically served with whipped cream or chocolate syrup, plus some unexpected bushwacker delights

Bushwacker at the beach at Pink Pony Pub in Gulf Shores

50th Anniversary of the Bushwacker

2025 marks 50 years since the bushwacker came to the United States, and we're celebrating all year long! From the classic creamy cocktail to delectable desserts and fun-flavored bushwackers, there are so many ways to enjoy this iconic creation. Our shores are home to dozens of fantastic restaurants where you can find bushwackers and bushwacker-inspired dishes. Here are 50 spots to get your bushwacker on to celebrate the 50th anniversary!