The Bushwacker is a cocktail invented in 1975 at the Ship's Store, Sapphire Pub at Sapphire Village in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. It is similar to a creamy, chocolate piña colada. The original recipe called for Vodka, Kahlua, Dark Crème de Cacao, Coco Lopez (cream of coconut), a splash of Triple sec and milk that's spun in a blender with ice and topped with a grating of fresh nutmeg. However, the recipe now has as many variations as there are gin joints or bartenders. The quantity of vodka or rum, which lends the drink most of its alcohol, can be varied making the drink anywhere between 40% and 75% alcohol or it can be completely left out for a low-alcohol beverage. Fruit can also be added to the cocktail as another seasonal variation to an otherwise basic drink.[2]

Bushwacker
Cocktail
Homemade Bushwacker
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
Servedstraight up
Standard garnishMaraschino Cherry
Standard drinkware
Hurricane glass
Commonly used ingredients
PreparationBlend all the ingredients together in a blender, including the ice, and then strain into a hurricane glass. Place cherry on top of the drink as a garnish and serve. Whipped cream can also be added as a garnish to the top of the drink before the cherry.[1]
NotesThe Bushwacker is often made using many other types of liquors and spirits as there are dozens of variations on this cocktail, some of which include the addition of Bacardi Rum, Vodka, Amaretto, and Baileys Irish Cream, as well as using nutmeg as a garnish.

History

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The Bushwacker was invented at the Ship's Store/Sapphire Pub in Sapphire Village, St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in the spring of 1975 by bartender Angie Conigliaro (cousin to Tony of the Boston Red Sox) and Tom Brokamp the restaurant's manager. It was promptly named after a visiting guest's dog, Bushwack, an Afghan Hound. The dog's owners were flight attendants and rarely traveled without their 4-legged companion. After spreading quickly throughout the Virgin Islands, the invention was soon brought back stateside by bartenders from Florida after visiting the islands. Many bars throughout Florida experimented with the recipe creating their own versions and doing much to popularize it in the states.[citation needed]

Since 1986, there has been an annual Bushwacker Festival held at Quietwater Beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida to celebrate the drink and its celebrity status.[3]

In politics

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U.S. President Barack Obama was photographed by the Associated Press drinking a bushwhacker at an Orange Beach, Alabama restaurant on July 15, 2010 while touring the areas affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bushwacker". About.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-20. Retrieved 2013-01-05.
  2. ^ "Home of the Original Bushwacker". marjorieskauaiinn.com. Archived from the original on 2012-01-12. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  3. ^ "Best Bushwackers on the Beach: The Dock on Pensacola Beach says better ingredients make a better drink". AL.com. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 2013-01-06.
  4. ^ "Washington Photo Blog - Tuesday, June 15, 2010". Time. Retrieved 2020-05-17.