Bushwacker Cocktail

The Origins of the Bushwacker Cocktail

The Bushwacker cocktail recipe first came to be in the Virgin Islands in 1975. It was here, at a laid-back beach resort, that buddies Angie Conigliaro and Tom Brokamp dared to dream this creamy drink into being.

The pair was working as a bartender and restaurant manager, respectively, and named the new drink they had created in honour of the dog of one of their regulars. Old Bushwack was a favourite with everyone around the resort, and so he had this delicious drink name after him, just because.

Possible ingredient substitutions

Give a brief but concise explanation of the following ingredients and look at the alternative ingredients available for each one.

Coffee liqueur

The coffee liqueur used in the Bushwacker cocktail gives it a very nice depth of flavour. However, if you aren’t all that big on the coffee vibe, you can easily switch things up to take it in a different direction. Adding Frangelico will yield a lovely nuttiness, while Grand Marnier will make things fruitier. Play around to see what you like and develop your own signature take on the Bushwacker cocktail.

Creme de Cacao

Another way to put your own spin on the drink when you learn how to make a Bushwacker cocktail is to switch out the Crème de Cacao. This chocolate-bean flavoured liqueur is a great thing to have on hand to make a bunch of other drinks, including the iconic Grasshopper, but if you don’t have it on hand, you could use any other chocolate liqueur.