One of my all-time favorite fruity rum cocktails is this rich and delicious Painkiller Cocktail! Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut are shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker, strained into a glass with ice, and sprinkled with ground nutmeg for the ultimate tropical cocktail.
While at a boat show in Annapolis, MD years ago, I had the privilege of dining at Pusser’s Caribbean Grille. Believe it or not, I’d never heard of these “painkiller drinks” until then.
Since then, I have been making these cocktails throughout the summer and they’re definitely a treat!
One thing that I need to note is I learned that Pusser’s Rum 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!).
Painkiller Cocktail Ingredients
- Dark Rum
- Pineapple Juice
- Orange Juice – I normally use pulp-free orange juice.
- Cream of Coconut – typically found in the grocery store in the section with cocktail mixers. Please note that cream of coconut and coconut cream are not the same. You will need cream of coconut for this recipe.
- Ground nutmeg – for garnish.
How to Make a Painkiller Drink
- Pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake it up! Cover and shake vigorously.
- Strain into a glass with ice.
- Sprinkle with grated nutmeg.
Common Questions
The painkiller cocktail was created in the 1970s at a bar called the Soggy Dollar in the British Virgin Islands. The owner of the Soggy Dollar Bar (Daphne Henderson) kept the recipe a secret, but the founder of Pusser’s Rum (Charles Tobias) was able to replicate the recipe. Pusser’s Rum is the main ingredient of the cocktail.
A painkiller and a piña colada are both classic tropical cocktails that include rum, pineapple, and coconut, but a painkiller also includes orange juice and is garnished with ground nutmeg.
A piña colada is often blended and served as a frozen cocktail, whereas the painkiller is served over ice. Both drinks taste sweet and tropical, but the painkiller cocktail tastes more citrusy with a hint of spice from the nutmeg garnish.
Helpful Tips
- Use pulp-free orange juice for a smoother consistency in this cocktail.
- Shake the ingredients vigorously so that it’s very well blended.
- Serve in a glass that has been chilled to help keep your drink colder for longer.
More Tropical Cocktails You’ll Love
Painkiller Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Pusser's Dark Rum
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 ounce pulp-free orange juice
- 1 ounce cream of coconut
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- Orange and/or pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry optional garnish
Instructions
- Pour rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and cream of coconut into a cocktail shaker with ice. Cover, shake vigorously, and strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Sprinkle a pinch of nutmeg on top.
- Garnish with an orange and/or pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry, if desired.
Notes
- Yields 8 ounces
- Adapted from Pusser’s Rum
Nutrition
If provided, nutritional info is a courtesy, is not guaranteed and should only be considered as a guideline.
I made a batch of this when eight of us went on a limo ride. Everybody loved it
Hot tips:
Coco Reál is a squeeze bottle option and you can refill with coco Lopez but I run it through the blender first.
It’s also really yummy made with 1/2 Malibu 1/2 pussers and given a pussers floater
This should really be topped with fresh grated nutmeg if at all possible.
Cream of coconut….I get that confused with coconut cream
Coco Lopez is a big provider. I like their plastic squeeze bottle rather than the cans. I you worry about too much plastic just buy one then refill from the cans
The squeeze bottle is handy and keeps the cream fresh
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.
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!!
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!
On cheddars menu though they use Bourbon instead of rum, next time I will ask for rum….
Try a navy rum – I love privateers navy yard personally. Awesome cocktail!
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
Thanks so much for sharing your story, Rick! They ARE insanely delicious and it’s hard to drink just one! 🙂
That’s where I tried my first one too! Can’t beat the scenery too!
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!!
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! 🙂
You drink #1’s but post the recipe for #2’s?
lightweight 🙂
ps:#2 is the default
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.
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.
I Use Appleton rum! Tastes great!
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.
Where do you find the pussers rum ?
Have not been able to find it for 18 years.
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/
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!”
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!
Sure it has to do with nutmeg. Nutmeg is known to have hallucinogenic effect at right dose.
Cream of coconut….I get that confused with coconut cream. Is cream of coconut the sweetened version?
I saw this drink featured in Fox News Magazine, looks sinfully good!
http://magazine.foxnews.com/at-home/caribbean-vacation-your-taste-buds