Bushwacker

The Bushwacker is a frozen alcoholic drink that was made popular here after a local lounge owner enjoyed its original version at Sapphire Beach Village in St Thomas, Virgin Islands where it was advertised as the house drink. Sandshaker Lounge owner Linda Taylor Murphy stated that while on a 1977 vacation trip to St Thomas, she first tasted a blended drink made of dark creme de cocoa, Mt Gay rum, chocolate ice cream and Coco Lopez coconut milk.

Upon her return to Pensacola, she made her own version of the drink - minus it's too-chocolatey richness - by blending white creme de cocoa, milk, Kahlua, and coconut milk with ice. Any liquor added was according to the choice of the customer, and was usually a type of rum, vodka or even bourbon. The local Bushwacker was born, has evolved to include mostly rum as its alcohol base, and has often been described to taste like a coffee and coconut-flavored milkshake. It has grown in popularity, spread to other parts of the world, and has been recognized as a must-have for many tourists who visit the Pensacola nightclubs.

The annual Bushwacker festivals held on Pensacola Beach continue to attract thousands of party-goers, and add to the growing history and legacy of the area.