Painkiller Cocktail – A Beautiful Mess

The Painkiller cocktail was once a secret recipe in the cocktail world—now you can make it at home! A variation on the Pina Colada, this drink uses dark rum, pineapple, orange juice, cream of coconut and grated nutmeg to create a smooth, fruity drink. The Painkiller was first mixed in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands.

Related: Piña Colada, Mai Tai, Daiquiri, Rum Runner, South Seas Sling, Dark & Stormy, Blue Hawaiian

Ingredients

• Navy Strength Rum – Pusser’s Rum is a great choice here. It’s a dark, high proof rum. 
• Pineapple Juice
• Orange Juice 
• Cream Of Coconut – Important note: This is not coconut cream. Cream of Coconut is a sweeter and richer cocktail mixer, easily found in most liquor stores. 
• Grated Nutmeg – This fresh ground spice is a key ingredient in this recipe, creating a fuller sensory experience. 
• Pineapple Wedge – As garnish

A great glassware choice for a Painkiller is a hurricane glass or a highball glass.

The Best Rum for a Painkiller Cocktail

Pusser’s Rum is the most authentic Navy strength rum. It’s a recreation of the British Royal Navy rum that was issued to sailors until the 1970s. It’s a blend of the five West Indian rums. It has a high alcohol volume of 54.5%. Pusser’s owns the trademark for the Painkiller and is the traditional rum used in this drink. If you want to make this drink properly, we recommend sticking with this brand.

Instructions

In a cocktail shaker with ice, pour dark rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and cream of coconut. 

Shake for 10-15 seconds until icy cold. 

Using the cocktail shaker, strain into a glass filled with ice. 

Grate fresh nutmeg over the top of the drink. 

Garnish with a pineapple wedge, a maraschino cherry and a paper umbrella if you wish.

History

The Painkiller was first mixed in the 1970s at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands. This establishment was owned by Daphne Henderson. Famously, this bar had no dock on the beach, so customers had to swim to the bar and this is where the name “Soggy Dollar Bar” comes from. 

The Painkiller was this bar’s signature cocktail and was well known in the area. The recipe was a secret. Charles Tobias (who later founded Pusser’s Rum) became obsessed with figuring out the recipe and was able to replicate it closely. He later trademarked the drink as Pusser’s Painkiller. 

What Does a Painkiller Taste Like?

Reminiscent of a Pina Colada, the Painkiller is a smooth, fruity drink. The addition of fresh nutmeg adds a bit of spice and unique flavor to the drink. I would describe this drink as creamy, fruity and well balanced.

Tips for Making

• Choose pulp-free orange juice for a smooth cocktail. 
• Serve with crushed ice if possible.
• If cream of coconut is not available and you must use coconut cream, add a little sweetener (such as half an ounce simple syrup) to compensate for the difference.

Serving Suggestions

Recipes that pair well with a Painkiller.

FAQ