The Bushwacker Trail

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach

The Signature Drink of Alabama's Beaches

You can’t visit the Alabama Gulf Coast without treating yourself to the area’s signature drink, the bushwacker. Concocted in 1975 at a pub in the Virgin Islands, this creamy, frozen cocktail captures the serene feeling of the beach in a glass. The Sandshaker Beach Bar in Pensacola brought the bushwacker to the states, and soon after, Flora-Bama began serving the drink thanks to the owner frequently visiting The Sandshaker. Flora-Bama’s popularity brought the bushwacker to recognition, and it has since become the Alabama Gulf Coast signature drink.

But what’s in it that makes it taste so good?

Many places offer their own variation of a bushwacker, but most restaurants and bars have similar base ingredients. Commonly used ingredients include rum, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, cream of coconut and ice cream or milk and ice. These are blended and typically served with whipped cream or chocolate syrup, plus some unexpected bushwacker delights.

You can find bushwackers at many bars and restaurants in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, each with its own unique twist. We’ve put together a list of some of the best places in the area where you can enjoy this delicious, beachy cocktail.

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.

Breakfast: OSO Early

The early bird gets the bushwacker! Enjoy breakfast at OSO and order the bushwacker pancakes. These are not your average flapjacks. This meal comes with three espresso chocolate pancakes with Kahlua chocolate, rum caramel and coconut cream.

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.

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: GT's on the Bay

Ice cream lovers have to try the bushwackers at GTs on the Bay in Orange Beach. Enjoy this restaurant’s spin on the frozen drink with Cruzan coconut rum, coffee liqueur, light crème de cocoa and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

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.

You can also take a ride on The Surfside Shuttle and experience their bushwacker tour featuring four hot spots serving up this delicious drink in the area!