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Painkiller Cocktail

Made with dark rum, cream of coconut, and a splash of orange and pineapple juice, this painkiller cocktail is the perfect way to unwind with a tropical drink. Garnish with fresh nutmeg and a pineapple slice for that extra touch of Caribbean flavor. Cheers to sunshine and good vibes.

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A painkiller cocktail garnished with an orchid flower, pineapple leaves and grated nutmeg.

Why we love this painkiller recipe

This classic cocktail was originally created in the British Virgin Islands at the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke.
It’s similar to a piña colada, but the added orange juice mellows out the flavor a creates a perfect balance between sweet and tropical.

A creamy tiki cocktail garnished with an orchid flower, pineapple leaves and fresh grated nutmeg.

Here’s what you’ll need to make it

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Equipment

Cocktail Shaker

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Easy Measure Jigger

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Ingredients & substitutions

Dark or gold rum
Pineapple juice
Cream of coconut
Orange juice

A tropical cocktail made with rum, coconut cream, pineapple and orange juice garnished with an orchid flower and pineapple leaves.

How to make a painkiller cocktail

Mix your cocktail. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add the rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream and orange juice. Cover and shake until cold.

Garnish and serve. Strain into a cocktail glass filled with crushed ice. Grate fresh nutmeg on the top and garnish with pineapple leaves.

Close up of a cocktail showing the grated nutmeg garnish floating on the creamy drink with an orchid flower and pineapple leaves.

Everything you need to know the painkiller cocktail

What’s the difference between a pina colada and a Painkiller?

The main difference is the addition of orange juice to the traditional piña colada flavors of pineapple and coconut, but the painkiller is also garnished with fresh nutmeg. The painkiller is also made with dark rum – traditionally Pusser’s).

What is difference between coconut milk and coconut cream?

Coconut cream is just a thicker, more concentrated coconut milk (with less coconut water in it), but the cream of coconut we’re using for this recipe is actually a sweetened coconut syrup, which is very different from coconut milk/cream.

A cocktail in a tiki glass garnished with an orchid flower and pineapple leaves.

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