One of my all-time favorite fruity rum cocktails is this rich and delicious Painkiller Cocktail!
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While at a boat show in Annapolis, MD a couple of years ago, I had the privilege of dining at Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. Believe it or not, I’d never heard of these “Painkillers” until then.
So you know I had to try one… or three! 
Since then, I have been making these drinks throughout the summer and they’re definitely a treat, to say the least.
One thing that I need to note is I learned that Pusser’s has exclusive rights to this drink… of course that’s why I prepared it with Pusser’s Rum. I ordered this cocktail one night at a bar with friends, and a guy sitting beside me so kindly informed me of this. Apparently he was somehow involved with Pusser’s, as he handed me a business card with the drink recipe on it (a coincidence to say the least!). 
The original recipe from Pusser’s can be found here.
Painkiller Cocktail Ingredients
- Dark Rum
- Pineapple Juice
- Orange Juice
- Cream of Coconut
- Ground nutmeg, for garnish
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Enjoy and please drink responsibly! 
Originally published September 13, 2012. Post updated August 6, 2019 with new photographs and recipe slightly revised.
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Painkiller Cocktail
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
A rich and fruity tropical cocktail that’s always a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 2 parts Pusser’s Dark Rum
- 4 parts pineapple juice
- 1 part orange juice
- 1 part cream of coconut
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Optional: Orange and/or pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top and garnish with an orange and/or pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry.
- Category: Cocktails
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Keywords: painkiller cocktail, painkiller drink
Sue Bollmeier says
My husband is addicted to these – we like similar posters, first experienced them in St. John. Ours was on a day cruise to BVI – we didn’t make it to Soggy Dollar because our kids were with us! But delish regardless.
★★★★★
Linda Johnson says
The recipe I use has 1 oz. Pussers, and 1 oz. Of 151 proof. It will lay you out if you have too many!! Having them tomorrow night with a friend of mine. She’s never had one before, but I know she will enjoy it too!!
Seth Spacek says
First time I’ve ever experienced a Painkiller was from Cheddar’s restaurant about 15 years ago. There was and still is a limit of 2 per customer. They are delicious and will make you forget about the pain, lol. The best Painkillers I’ve ever had was at Kiepersol Vineyards in Tyler, TX. They have a winery and distillery. Their was a bartender there who came from the Virgin Islands. She made her own Spiced Rum. Talk about fantastico! I know it was the Spiced Rum because when we drank her out of it, we had the regular Rum that she used to make her Spiced Rum. I think when the 4 of us stumbled out, we had a tab of about $200. All good tho!
★★★★★
Larry says
Try a navy rum – I love privateers navy yard personally. Awesome cocktail!
★★★★★
Rick says
Had my first one at the soggy dollar on Jost Van Dyke. Swam up with soggy dollars They claim that hey invented the drink. Only the lord knows how many I´ve had since. They are absolutely delicious. Had them at Pussers too. They are delicious with any kind of Rum but maybe not as potent depending. Try Meyers if you cant find Pussers
★★★★★
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Rick! They ARE insanely delicious and it’s hard to drink just one! 🙂
Chanda Lundstrom says
That’s where I tried my first one too! Can’t beat the scenery too!
★★★★★
Michele Chambers says
I lived on St. John & this was my go to drink. Then you could order it Painkiller 1 thru 4. That determined how strong it was. 1 #4 and you were cross eyed. I always stuck with the #1 after drinking a #4 once. Best drink ever!!
★★★★★
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
I never knew about the different “levels” of Painkillers until recently, thanks for sharing Michele! I’d have to stick with the #1, too and agree that it’s sinfully delicious! 🙂
George Spencer says
You drink #1’s but post the recipe for #2’s?
lightweight 🙂
ps:#2 is the default
Rick Chapman says
Meyers rum is great too. Use the Pussers 98 proof you can. Had these for the first time at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke, BVI who supposedly invented the recipe. Addictive , potent and delicious.
★★★★★
Kenneth Sypolt says
This is the receipt for a #2 pain killer. the amount of rum determines the # of the drink. It used to got from a #1 to a #3
We also used a shaker to mix the drink. The more it is mixed the better the taste. the air in the drink causes it to taste smoother
great drink, I started drinking them in the Bahamas about 30 years ago.
Joi says
I Use Appleton rum! Tastes great!
Rick says
Tastes great with Meyers too! Find Pussers if you can tho. The 98 proof version. Had my first one at Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke, BVI. Unfortunately I have an addictive personality.
★★★★★
Heidi says
Where do you find the pussers rum ?
Have not been able to find it for 18 years.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hi, Heidi! It is available locally where I live in NC. Here is the link for locating it. Hope you can find it! http://pussersrum.com/find-pussers-rum/
Mark says
I had quite a few of these at a Tiki Bar on St. John made for me by a lovely bartender from Washington state. She claimed that use of enough nutmeg and the drinks could have an hallucinogenic effect. I don’t believe it had anything to do with the nutmeg! Terrific drink, no matter which side of a hangover you’re on!
Note: Never ask a female bartender from Washington state how she got to St. John….”on a plane stupid!”
★★★★★
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
Hahaha! I had quite a few too the first time I had them, they are deliciously dangerous and no… I don’t think it’s the nutmeg either. Merry Christmas!
Debbie says
Cream of coconut….I get that confused with coconut cream. Is cream of coconut the sweetened version?
Judy says
I saw this drink featured in Fox News Magazine, looks sinfully good!
http://magazine.foxnews.com/at-home/caribbean-vacation-your-taste-buds