A visit to Alabama’s Beaches isn’t complete without sipping on the area’s signature drink: the bushwacker. Known for its rich and creamy flavor, this boozy treat blends rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, and coconut cream to create a dessert-like cocktail. Originally crafted in 1975 at the Ship's Store, Sapphire Pub in St. Thomas, the bushwacker made its way stateside thanks to The Sandshaker Beach Bar in Pensacola. Flora-Bama added its own twist to the bushwacker, helping it become a true coastal favorite. It’s the perfect balance of tropical flavors and creamy decadence, offering a sip of paradise in every glass and making it a must-try indulgence in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.

50th Bushwacker Anniversary

The bushwacker turns 50 in 2025, and Alabama’s Beaches is the ultimate destination to celebrate! From the classic creamy cocktail to delectable desserts and fun-flavored bushwackers, there are so many ways to enjoy this iconic creation. We have put together a list of 50 places to get your bushwacker on around Alabama's Beaches. Enjoy responsibly!

12 Months of Bushwackers

Local restaurants and bars are crafting everything from the classic creamy cocktail to bold new twists like Peanut Butter or Holiday Sweets, giving you a fresh reason to visit every month. Curious about where to try a bushwacker or what a bushwacker tastes like? Now’s the perfect time to explore the Gulf Coast’s top bushwacker spots to sip, sample, and savor this iconic drink like never before. Find out what this month's flavor is and where to get it below!

April - Easter & Spring

Avenue Pub

Shrimp Basket

Tacky Jack's

May - Peanut Butter

Flora-Bama

The Hangout

Sandshaker at The Wharf

Southern Shores Coffee's bushwacker-inspired drink topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut, served on a colorful table

Breakfast: Southern Shores Coffee

Start your bushwacker journey at Southern Shores Coffee in Gulf Shores and try their bushwacker-flavored coffee. It’s the perfect way to get your caffeine boost for the day.

Moe's Original Bar B Que's bushwacker served in a classic white cup

Lunch: Moe's Original Bar B Que

Visit Moe’s Original Bar B Que for lunch and wash down your finger-licking barbeque meal with a bushwacker. This laidback joint offers food specials every day and outdoor live music on the weekends.

Cobalt's bushwacker served in a frosty glass with chocolate syrup drizzle, topped with a cherry, set on an outdoor wooden table with scenic patio views

Dinner: Cobalt

Located at The Caribe Resort, Cobalt offers a beautiful waterfront view to accompany its innovative menu. The bushwackers here are served with chocolate syrup and are topped with a cherry.

Bushwacker from Pink Pony Pub served in a tall glass with a beach view in Gulf Shores

Late-Night: Pink Pony Pub

If you’re craving a late-night bushwacker, head over to Pink Pony Pub, located right on the beach in Gulf Shores. This spot makes its bushwacker with Malibu rum, dark crème de cocoa, Irish crème and vanilla crème.

Bushwacker tiramisu from CoastAL Orange Beach, layered with rich flavors and topped with fresh fruit

Breakfast: CoastAL

Who says you can't have dessert first? CoastAL Orange Beach serves a mouthwatering bushwacker tiramisu that you can enjoy at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Bushwacker drink at Yoho Rum & Tacos in Orange Beach, drizzled with chocolate syrup for a sweet and tropical treat

Lunch: Yoho Rum & Taco's Boat Bar

Shop 'til you drop at The Wharf then grab a bite to eat at Yoho Rum & Taco's Boat Bar. While here, add this restaurant's chocolatey bushwacker to your order.

Classic bushwacker served in a chilled cup with a striped straw at Tacky Jacks, overlooking the scenic marina

Dinner: Tacky Jacks

Known for its fun, family-friendly atmosphere and fresh Gulf seafood, Tacky Jacks also offers a delicious bushwacker. You can grab one at any of the restaurant’s three area locations.

Bushwacker cheesecake topped with a rich chocolate glaze and cherry, served at OSO at Bear Point Harbor

Late-Night: OSO at Bear Point Harbor

End your evening back at OSO in Bear Point with a slice of bushwacker cheesecake. The dessert includes an espresso and coconut cheesecake topped with a vanilla rum sauce. You can also order a regular bushwacker to accompany this sweet treat.

Beach Whacker coffee blend at The Southern Grind Coffee House, offering rich coconut, chocolate, vanilla, and vodka-inspired flavors

Breakfast: The Southern Grind

Begin the final day of your bushwacker journey at The Southern Grind and pick up a bag of beachwhacker coffee. It’s a great way to take the irresistible taste of this coastal drink home with you.

Signature bushwacker at Bahama Bob's beachside restaurant in Gulf Shores, topped with whipped cream and a cherry

Lunch: Bahama Bob's

Ice cream lovers have to try the bushwackers at Bahama Bob's in Gulf Shores. Sip on this beachfront restaurant’s spin on the frozen drink made with a blend of rum and ice cream, drizzled with syrup, and topped with whip cream and a cherry!

LuLu's famous bushwacker served in a signature cup, featuring a creamy blend of vanilla ice cream, coffee liqueur, and coconut rum, topped with a cherry

Dinner: LuLu's

Head to LuLu’s for dinner and get ready for another creamy delight. Vanilla ice cream, coffee liqueur, Cruzan coconut rum and chocolate syrup are blended to create LuLu’s bushwhacker topped with a rum floater and cherry.

Flora-Bama Yacht Club's legendary bushwacker, a creamy frozen cocktail topped with a cherry, perfect for sipping by the water

Late-Night: Flora-Bama Lounge & Oyster Bar

Your bushwacker journey ends at the iconic Flora-Bama Lounge and Oyster Bar. This famous spot is known for its take on the boozy milkshake, served with whipped cream and topped with a cherry. Listen to local musicians as you sip your final drink of the trail.

1. Named after a visiting couple’s dog Bushwack, an Afghan Hound.

2. Crafted as a tropical twist to a White Russian.

3. Created in Ship’s Store in Sapphire Village on St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands in 1975.

4. Three-time World Champion, Bushwacker was named the number one bull in history by Professional Bull Riders.

5. President Barak Obama tried a bushwacker when visiting Orange Beach in 2010 after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

6. Original recipe included Vodka, Kahlua, Dark Crème de Cacao, Coco Lopez (cream of coconut), a splash of Triple sec and milk

7. Floaters: an extra shot added to the top of the drink, commonly peanut butter whiskey

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You can't visit Alabama's Beaches without treating yourself to the signature drink, the bushwacker.

Ready to Hit the Bushwacker Trail?

Grab your friends, your appetite, and your sense of exploration. Discover the best flavors of Alabama’s Beaches on the Bushwacker Trail! From the classic creamy cocktail to refreshing virgin bushwackers and dessert creations, each stop offers a new take on this beloved frozen drink. With 2025 marking the 50th anniversary of the bushwacker, it’s the perfect time to plan your visit and savor this area's signature drink!

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The Bushwacker Trail

in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

50th Bushwacker Anniversary