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Soggy Dollar Painkiller Drink Recipe from British Virgin Islands

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The Soggy Dollar Painkiller drink recipe is a rum, pineapple, orange and coconut tropical drink and a must-have cocktail when visiting the British Virgin Islands (BVIs). It’s a tangy and refreshing cocktail that is easy to make at home too. If you love a taste of the tropics, then this Painkiller drink recipe is exactly what you need!

Painkiller Drink garnished with pineapple slide with tropical blue towel background.

Painkiller Drink made famous by the Soggy Dollar Bar and Pusser’s Rum.

 

On a recent (and fantastic) trip in the British Virgin Islands, I was on a personal quest. I’ve heard about the Painkiller cocktail and how the delicious concoction’s potency can sneak up on the person drinking it.

After sampling four different Painkiller drink recipes on three different islands, I found my personal favorite. If you can’t make to the islands for a true Painkiller drink, here’s how I found the best recipe.

Soggy Dollar Painkiller Drink History

First of all, a bit of libation history. The classic Painkiller drink is made with Pusser’s Rum and the birth of the drink is attributed to Daphne Henderson at the Soggy Dollar Bar in the BVI’s.

If you’ve been there, you know many of the patrons come by boat and anchor just off the beach. To get to this Caribbean beach bar, they have to swim ashore arriving with wet dollar bills, thus the term “soggy dollar!”

Charles Tobias loved the Soggy Dollar’s Painkiller drink recipe and managed to get a sample back to his boat to attempt to come up with his own version. Charles happened to be the founder of Pusser’s Rum, which is now the official choice of rum used in the Painkiller drink recipe. It’s a dark rum with unique spices and flavorings and it’s the secret recipe ingredient. The Soggy Dollar Painkiller doesn’t taste quite the same without it!

 

Painkiller Drink with Pineapple Wedge Garnish sitting on kitchen couner with tropical blue fabric background

 

Painkiller Recipes in the BVI’s

My first sample was served to me by a smiling young lady in a beach bar at Jolly Beach on the island of Antigua. Sandra’s beach bar is a fun spot practically on the beach and the drinks are reasonably priced.

As for the Painkiller, not a bad first experience. It was a good cocktail, but the next day brought two different places to indulge.

Painkiller-Recipe

 

First, I tried a Painkiller at the world famous Foxy’s bar then hopped in a taxi to try the Painkiller drinks at the spot where it all began – the Soggy Dollar Bar. If visiting Jost isn’t on your bucket list, I would add it. It’s an easy boat ride from the US Virgin Islands. The beach, the view and the drinks at White Bay (where the Soggy Dollar Bar is located) is well worth the trip.

At the Soggy Dollar bar, I was amazed to watch the bartender make Painkillers in an assembly line, finishing with a flourish of freshly grated nutmeg.

At this point, the Soggy Dollar Bar Painkiller drink recipe is at the top of my list!

Painkiller Drink Recipe

The Soggy Dollar Bar where the Painkiller Cocktail originated.

 

My final Painkiller cocktail taste test was at the bar at Pusser’s Landing on the island of Tortola.

Here they marketed the “Level of Painkilling” in their Painkiller cocktails. Two ounces of rum begins to dull the pain, three ounces starts a deadening effect and four ounces of rum is total anesthesia! And this Painkiller drink was my favorite. It was the best painkiller drink recipe in all my taste testing.

The in the main drink recipe is the same, but I believe they increased the amount of coconut cream and it harmonized with my taste buds!

How to Make a Painkiller Drink

Let’s get to making this popular mixed rum drink. Here’s the Soggy Dollar Painkiller recipe with fresh nutmeg on top, but if you add a little extra cream of coconut, I believe it’s even better.

Grab your cocktail shaker! 

If you’d like to print the recipe, scroll down for the printable recipe card. Or simply save this pin to your Pinterest drinks board so you’ll have it when you’re ready to whip up this Painkiller cocktail.

Save it for later and Pin it!

 

Kitchen Equipment Needed

 

Best Painkiller Drink Recipe:

Here is the original Painkiller recipe. If you can’t be in the islands, the next best thing is to make it at home!

  • 2 ounces Pusser’s Rum (or Soggy Dollar rum)
  • 4 ounces Pineapple Juice
  • 1 ounce Orange Juice
  • 1 ounce Cream of Coconut.
  • Garnish with grated fresh Nutmeg (or use ground Nutmeg spice).
  • Garnish with a pineapple slice.

BEST Tip: Increase the amount of cream of coconut by another 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce for a little more flavor and texture. I personally think it makes a big difference! Since you’re making this at home, feel free to play with it to make your own recipe.

Tip: Grated fresh nutmeg is more aromatic, but I find it easier to use already ground nutmeg and it tastes just as delicious.

Painkiller Drink Ingredients: Bottle of Pusser's rum, can of pineapple juice, coco lopez and orange juice and nutmeg spice.

Painkiller cocktail ingredients

 

Directions:

Mixing this Painkiller drink recipe is easy! Grab your cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  1. Simply combine all ingredients, except nutmeg, in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and give it a good shake. If you don’t have or want to use a shaker, you can stir all the ingredients together, just make sure it is well mixed, especially the cream of coconut.
  2. Pour over cocktail glasses filled with ice. This recipe is perfect for a tall glass.
  3. Top with a dusting of grated fresh nutmeg or ground nutmeg spice.
  4. Garnish with a pineapple slice.

Invite over your good friends and enjoy a classic taste of the BVIs!

Painkiller drink up close

 

More Tropical Drinks to Enjoy

Blue Lagoon Cocktail

The Blue Hawaiian

Tropical Bay Breeze

Hawaiian Mai Tai Recipe (A Closely Guarded Secret)

Lava Flow Drink Recipe

 

This Soggy Dollar Painkiller recipe is refreshing, simple and delicious. With an extra splash, it’s the best Painkiller drink recipe!

Cheers!

Yield: 1

Best Painkiller Drink Recipe from the British Virgin Islands

Best Painkiller Drink Recipe from the British Virgin Islands

The Soggy Dollar Painkiller drink recipe is a rum, pineapple, orange and coconut tropical drink and a must-have cocktail when visiting the British Virgin Islands. It's a tangy and refreshing cocktail easy to make at home too. If you love a taste of the tropics, then this Painkiller drink recipe is exactly what you need!

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces Pusser's rum
  • 4 ounces pineapple juice
  • 1 ounce orange juice
  • 1 ounce cream of coconut
  • Garnish with Nutmeg and a pineapple slice

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients, except nutmeg, in a cocktail shaker and give it a gentle shake.
  2. Pour over ice.
  3. Top with a dusting a grated nutmeg.
  4. Garnish with a pineapple slice.

Notes

Tip: Increase the amount of cream of coconut another 1/2 ounce to 1 ounce for a little more flavor and texture. I personally think it makes a big difference! Drink Responsibly.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 155mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 0gSugar: 55gProtein: 0g

Nutritional values are estimates and not exact.

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I live in Port Aransas, Texas and love all things Parrot Head and Trop Rock. I enjoy interviewing Trop Rock artists, attending events and always look forward to seeing Trop Rock friends from around the nation! Author of the Trop Rock lyric infused cozy mystery book "Schooled for Murder." Check out my website at www.CindyMuir.com

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  1. Joe Piteo says:

    A drink I can use!

  2. Barbara says:

    Great recipe! Ready to try it tonight!

  3. Terri Jo says:

    True dat

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