There are plenty of cities that have their own unique alcoholic drinks, but the Nashville Bushwacker is truly one of a kind. This creamy, boozy version of a thick milkshake is now the go-to frozen drink for bar hoppers, brunch, happy hour, and bachelorettes in the Music City of Tennessee.
Although the Bushwacker has gained popularity in the last decade, the concoction originally came from the Caribbean Islands, and specifically, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. Beach bums along the Gulf Coast eventually brought the boozy milkshake to bars along the U.S. coastline. There are a few bars that claim to be home of the original Bushwacker, including the Broadway Brewhouse. Edley's Bar-B-Que is another Music City establishment where you can find a version of the drink. However, the drink's exact beginnings in the city are mostly unclear.
So what exactly is a Bushwacker? It's a drink that has a crushed ice base, which is mixed with multiple liquors and rum. It's known for making you tipsy easily while cooling you down on a warm Southern day. Nashville is now one of the bachelorette party capitals of the world. And the Bushwacker is naturally one of the first choices for an out and about wedding party.
Now, dozens of restaurants and bars in Nashville have their own versions of the drink. You can even find a few seasonal takes on the drink. Yes, there's even a Pumpkin Spice version out there.
If you can't make it to Nashville but still want to experience the greatness of a frosty Bushwacker, you're in luck. You can check out our simple step-by-step homemade recipe above. As much as it tastes like there's actual vanilla ice cream in it, all you need for the best Bushwacker you've ever had is the following:
Bushwacker Recipe
3 cups of ice
6 oz Cream of Coconut
3 oz Bailey's Irish Cream or Kahlua Liqueur
6 oz half and half
3 oz Vodka
3 oz Dark Rum
TIP: You can add some chocolate syrup or whipped cream to make the Bushwacker even more delectable.
This post was originally published on September 7, 2019.