The Bushwacker Trail
in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
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!
Day 1
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 2
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 3
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
Restaurants Serving Bushwackers
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.
Gage's Ice Cream
We’re serving up scoops, smiles, and coffee strong enough to turn those moody Monday blues into sweet, creamy wins. Come...
Cactus Cantina Orange Beach
Come enjoy laid-back Mexican food in a casual, fun atmosphere. We have the best food on the Gulf. Come try...
Tiki & Raw Bar by Barometer
Tiki is your go-to open-air watering hole right on the water, offering stunning views of Terry Cove. This laid-back oasis...
Sandshaker at the Wharf
Sandshaker has been a local favorite on Pensacola Beach since 1973 and decided to spread its wings to open at...
Cosmo's Restaurant & Bar
Off the beaten path on Canal Road in Orange Beach, Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar is far from ordinary. Serving fresh...
Island Time Daiquiris
We are a New Orleans-style daiquiri bar. Our relaxed sports bar has a tropical theme and offers fruity cocktails and...
The Steamer and Baked Oyster Bar
Come to The Steamer and Baked Oyster Bar to indulge in a variety of raw and baked oysters, grilled and...
Selah Coffee
Check out the newest and only coffee shop on the Fort Morgan Peninsula! Delicious, iced and hot coffees, espresso, and...
High Tide Daiquiris & Mimosas #3
The newest and cutest spot in Gulf Shores! Breakfast, lunch and dinner served ALL DAY! Coffee, margarita and mimosa flights...
Wolf Bay Restaurant at Orange Beach
Wolf Bay is a family-owned Gulf Coast tradition known for its high-quality fresh seafood & local ambiance. Its rich history...
Shrimp Basket of Gulf Shores
It all began in 1993, when two local guys in Gulf Shores, Alabama decided to open a casual family-focused seafood...
The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails
The Beach House Kitchen & Cocktails features a variety of delicious Gulf seafood, quality American cuisine and hand-crafted cocktails. Our...
Pirate's Cove Marina & Restaurant
Since 1957, we have been serving locals and visitors of the Alabama Gulf Coast. We are famous for our signature...
YoHo Rum and Tacos
YoHo Rum & Tacos and the Boat Bar in Orange Beach offers the freshest tacos, signature entrees with a coastal...
You can't visit Alabama's Beaches without treating yourself to the signature drink, the bushwacker.
