Celebrating the Half-Century Milestone of the Iconic Bushwacker Cocktail
Unleashing the Taste of History: Celebrating Bushwackers Along Florida's Pensacola Beach and Beyond
Craving a sweet, strong rum-laced beverage on the Gulf Coast? You're in luck! For over five decades, folks in the sun-kissed towns of Pensacola, Florida, and Gulf Shores/Orange Beach in neighboring Alabama have reveled in the creamy, coffee-flavored cocktail known as bushwackers. As we get ready to celebrate the drink's 50th anniversary in 2025, let's dive into the tale of this boozy milkshake and how you can be a part of the festivities.
Birth of a Legacy
Saddle up to the bar at Pensacola Beach's renowned Sandshaker Lounge and take a trip down memory lane. Legend has it that Sandshaker served up the first bushwacker in the country, tracing its origins back to a visit to the island of St. Thomas in 1975[1]. This liberty-chasing treat, named after a dog dubbed Bushwack, found its way back to the U.S. and quickly became a local favorite. It's the lounge's best-seller to this day, and it's expanded across the Gulf with a new location at The Wharf in Orange Beach.
Mudslinging Contests
Although the Sandshaker kicked it off, the Flora-Bama Lounge stole the show, pumping up bushwacker popularity[1][3]. Don't let the long lines deter you — savoring a maraschino cherry-topped, stout confection in a cup at this rowdy roadhouse island-straddling the Florida-Alabama border is worth the wait.
Right next door on Alabama’s Arnica Bay shoreline, Pirate's Cove Marina also lays claim to the bushwacker's fame, offering an ice-cream base and, upon request, a potent 151-proof rum floater[1]. For years, enthusiasts have debated the bushwacker supremacy between these two institutions: drop by for a taste, and be the judge.
Spicing Things Up
Over the years, various establishments have put their unique twists on the traditional bushwacker concoction. Though the basic formula generally incorporates rum, coffee liqueur, creme de cacao, amaretto, coconut cream, and milk or cream, you can experience variations in their ingredients, appearance (like whipped topping or chocolate syrup drizzles), and liqueur choices, such as Irish cream[1].
50th Anniversary Extravaganza
Want to take part in the 2025 bushwacker anniversary blowout? Consider joining the festivities at the Flora-Bama's Bushwacker Birthday Party, scheduled to feature live music, surprise activities, and discounted $5 Bushwackers on May 31, 2025[4]. The celebratory occasion will also include a Golden Bushwacker Hunt with prizes, including an exotic vacation to the Virgin Islands!
The spirit of the bushwacker will come alive on Alabama's Bushwacker Trail, a tour for hardcore fans that showcases multiple hotspots for the drink and unique experiences, like customized private bushwacker tastings via Orange Beach's The Surfside Shuttle, as well as themed bushwacker cruises on Island Time Private Boat Charters[1].
Sip With Caution
Though a bushwacker may hide beneath the guise of a decadent milkshake, never forget that it's a potent cocktail. So, take your time while indulging, and don't let the bushwacker outsmart you!
Enjoy a trip to Florida and Alabama for a taste of history, as you celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bushwacker drink along Pensacola Beach and beyond. Start at the Sandshaker Lounge in Pensacola Beach, where the bushwacker was first served in the U.S., and then head to the Flora-Bama Lounge for a maraschino cherry-topped, stout confection in a cup.
For a different twist, Pirate's Cove Marina in Alabama offers an ice-cream base and a potent 151-proof rum floater. Taste the variations in bushwacker recipes at various establishments along the Bushwacker Trail in Alabama, or partake in the Flora-Bama's Bushwacker Birthday Party, featuring live music, activities, and discounted $5 Bushwackers.
Remember, despite its creamy appearance, a bushwacker is a strong, rum-laced beverage, so take your time while indulging and be mindful of its potency. Experience the flavors of Southern Living along Florida's and Alabama's stunning coastlines, and try a bushwacker on your anniversary trip for an unforgettable celebration.
