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Pusser’s Rum Painkiller Cocktail From The Soggy Dollar Bar is one of those that you don’t know what you are missing until you drink it. A delicious tropical cocktail that’s as smooth as the Caribbean Sea. It takes you back to the first time you anchored at Jost Van Dyke, dove off of your boat, swam up to shore, and paid for your first Painkiller with your soggy dollars. Sit back and enjoy this coconut-ty concoction that is absolutely delicious.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Pusser’s Painkillers
- What Is the Story of This Fabled Cocktail?
- What is This Crazy Delicious Drink?
- Notes on Ingredients & Substitutions
- How to Make This Delicious Concoction
- Top Tips
- Make Ahead or Store for Later
- You May Also Like
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Pussers Rum Painkiller Cocktail Recipe From Soggy Dollar Bar Recipe
Why You’ll Love Pusser’s Painkillers
It’s a Vacation in a Glass!
Pusser’s Painkillers are the epitome of a tropical escape in a glass and will transport you right back to the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost van Dyke.
So delicious!
The creamy, fruity mix of pineapple, a touch of citrus from the orange, and the rich coconut, all balanced with Pusser’s Rum, is a treat to the taste buds. The sprinkle of nutmeg takes you right to the British Virgin Islands, where this drink originates.
So easy to make!
Only a few ingredients. All of which you’ll likely keep on hand after making it just once. No crazy techniques.
Batch it up!
Easy to make in small or large batches. Great for backyard parties or taking to the beach.
What Is the Story of This Fabled Cocktail?
This tropical drink was created in the 1970s by Daphne Henderson at the Soggy Dollar Bar, with the apt moniker, “a sunny place for shady people”. Lacking a dock or roads to White Bay on the small island, Jost van Dyke, boaters anchored off the shore and swam or waded to land, paying for drinks with the soggy bills they carried ashore. The Painkiller cocktail became an instant hit and is now known world-wide.
What is This Crazy Delicious Drink?
The recipe is a delightful tropical blend of equal parts of pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut. Mix in the key ingredient, Pusser’s rum, with its naval heritage dating back to the daily rum rations of the British Royal Navy. Add a dash or two of nutmeg. And here’s the fun part – you get to pick your adventure level with this drink! Go for level 2, 3, or 4, depending on how bold you’re feeling with the strength of the drink.
Notes on Ingredients & Substitutions
Please check out the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and specific measurements.
Pusser’s Rum
The rum with centuries of history, and a rich and complex flavor profile, is the favorite for this drink. A dark, or dirty rum, is paramount in this drink to make it more complex and avoid becoming too sweet. If you want to mix it up, try Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum or Myers’s Original Dark Rum, if you must. Or check out the FAQ’s for other ideas.
Pineapple Juice
Fresh is best. But quality will work here too. A couple of really great store bought options are Trader Joe’s Cold Pressed Pineapple Juice, or Nature’s Nectar Pineapple Juice.
Orange Juice
Another fresh is best. But! There are also great store-bought options as well. Natalie’s Orange Juice is so delicious and so fresh.
Cream of Coconut
Not to be confused with Coconut Cream! Cream of coconut brings a more sweet taste and smoother texture. Although if you want to dabble with a less sweet version, try a can of coconut cream.
Whole Nutmeg
Grating a nice dusting of nutmeg over the top will do the trick. This is a must for the perfect Painkiller. If you can get your hands on Grenadian nutmeg, you are one step closer to the secret Soggy Dollar Bar recipe. If you must, ground nutmeg will do in a pinch.
Fresh Ice Cubes
Medium to large size cubes are perfect so that they do not melt to quickly in the drink.
How to Make This Delicious Concoction
Step 1
Mix cream of coconut, pineapple juice and orange juice in a shaker.
Step 2
Add ice to the shaker. Then top off with your “level” of rum.
Step 3
Shake. Shake. Shake. Senora….. Shake it all the time. Well, in this instance, for at least 30 seconds to mix and chill well.
Step 4
Fill your highball glass with ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Step 5
Sail away to the BVI and enjoy!
Top Tips
Use Fresh Nutmeg
It makes all of the difference in this cocktail. Zest away.
Chill Your Glass
This tiny step of planning ahead helps to keep things chill.
Booze It Up To Your Liking
The soggy dollar bar offers the painkiller in level 1, level 2 and level 3 and 4. Keep the 4:1:1 ratio of mixers, and add the amount of rum that works for you!
Avoid Chilled Coconut Cream
In cold weather, coconut milk may coagulate. Just warm it up gently for a smooth, creamy addition to add to this juice concoction. Warm it up in the sun or on the stove, but warm it on low or super minimally.
Mix Juices Before Adding Over Ice
If you pour the coconut cream over the ice by itself, it might solidify, resulting in little white chunks of cream floating in your drink. Mixing the juices together beforehand helps ensure a smooth and even consistency, keeping your beverage looking and tasting its best.
Make Ahead or Store for Later
You can premix most of the ingredients and store them in a pitcher. I would recommend only adding the coconut cream when ready to serve (so that it doesn’t coagulate). When ready to serve, shake with ice, pour into glasses, and top off with the fresh ground nutmeg. Same goes for storing for later.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Pusser’s Rum traces its roots to the British Royal Navy, where sailors received a daily ration of rum, a practice that began in the mid-17th century. The term “Pusser” is derived from “purser,” the officer responsible for the rum. The tradition ended on July 31, 1970, known as “Black Tot Day.” Recognizing the rum’s cultural significance, entrepreneur Charles Tobias obtained the rights to the Navy’s blend and founded Pusser’s Ltd. in 1979. Maintaining the original recipe, Tobias began selling the rum to the public, and it became synonymous with naval tradition and the famous Painkiller cocktail.
Of course you can. While Pusser’s Rum is the traditional choice for this cocktail, substituting another dark or navy-style rum can create a slight variation in flavor but still create a delicious drink. A few other dark or navy-style rums out there:
Smith & Cross Traditional Jamaica Rum — Known for its robust and intense flavor profile.
Gosling’s Black Seal Rum — A dark Bermudian rum with rich and complex flavors, it’s another option often used in traditional maritime cocktails.
El Dorado 12-Year-Old — This Demerara rum from Guyana is known for its rich, caramel-like flavor, which can be a suitable substitute.
Lemon Hart & Son Original 1804 — A blend of Demerara rums that also reflects a traditional British naval style.
Woods Navy Rum — Another traditional navy rum, known for its strong and robust flavor.
Myers’s Original Dark Rum — This Jamaican rum has a rich flavor that could serve as an alternative.
Cream of coconut is sweetened coconut cream, perfect for cocktails and desserts, offering a sweeter taste. It’s great in tropical drinks like piña coladas. On the other hand, coconut cream is the natural, unsweetened thick part of coconut milk, that is often used in savory and sweet recipes — like a delicious curry.
Think of mixing a Pusser’s Painkiller like choosing your adventure at sea – you get to be the captain and pick how strong the waves (or in this case, the rum) will be!
Level 1 — 1 ounce of Pusser’s Rum. Super chill.
Level 2 — 2 ounces of Pusser’s Rum. More of a gentle cruise.
Level 3 — 3 ounces of Pusser’s Rum. A bit more excitement.
Level 4 — 4 ounces of Pusser’s Rum. Yikes! Hold on tight!
No matter what level you choose, the other tasty ingredients stay the same — 4:1:1. Cheers! 🍹
Pussers Rum Painkiller Cocktail Recipe From Soggy Dollar Bar
Equipment
- Jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- Highball Glasses
- Grater or microplane
Ingredients
- 2 oz — Pusser’s Rum
- 4 oz — Pineapple Juice, freshly pressed
- 1 oz — Orange Juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 oz — Cream of Coconut, freshly ground
- Fresh Ice, medium or large ice cubes
Save this recipe!
Instructions
Mix It Up
- Mix cream of coconut, pineapple juice and orange juice in a shaker.
- Add ice to the shaker. Then top off with your “level” of rum.
Shake It Up
- Shake. Shake. Shake. Senora….. Shake it all the time. Well, in this instance, for at least 30 seconds to mix and chill well.
Strain Away
- Fill your highball glass with ice. Strain the cocktail over the ice. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Sail Away
- Sail away to the BVI and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
