The Soggy Dollar Bar Painkiller drink got its name from everyone coming up from the beach to the bar with their soggy dollars. This tropical cocktail is like a piña colada without the work, combining the smooth flavors of rum, tropical fruit juices, and coconut cream. One sip of this full-flavored and very smooth rum concoction will transport you to the Caribbean, making it the perfect escape drink for any occasion.
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Why is the Soggy Dollar Pain Killer so good?
If you like fruity rum drinks, you will enjoy this one. It’s somewhat like a pina colada without the work, and it’s my all-time favorite rum cocktail. This full-flavored and very smooth rum concoction is the very essence of Caribbean imbibing.
The classic recipe for this painkiller drink combines Pusser’s Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut poured over crushed ice. The finishing touch is a garnish of nutmeg, preferably freshly grated. Take a few sips and your soggy sorrows will melt away!
Origin of the Painkiller cocktail
This is a classic tiki cocktail that originated at the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar in the British Virgin Islands. The Soggy Dollar Bar earned its unique name because the only way to reach a barstool is to swim in from your boat anchored in White Bay on Jost Van Dyke. This iconic spot is the very definition of a Caribbean beach bar and draws rum-loving pilgrims from around the world.
The bar was forced to close in 2017 due to damage from Hurricane Irma. Still, the legendary location reopened the following year to continue serving up their famous painkillers to thirsty beachgoers and sailors.
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to mix up this fruity cocktail:
Pusser’s Rum – The traditional rum that provides the authentic Caribbean flavor and smooth finish essential to the original recipe
Orange juice – Adds bright citrus notes and natural sweetness that balances the rum’s strength
Pineapple juice – Contributes tropical sweetness and the signature flavor that defines this beach cocktail
Cream of coconut – Creates the rich, smooth texture and adds coconut flavor that makes this drink irresistibly tropical
Fresh Grated Nutmeg – Fresh nutmeg provides the classic finishing touch with warm, aromatic spice notes when freshly grated on top
Painkillers are delicious with any rum, but they may be slightly less potent if you don’t use Pusser’s. If you can’t find Pusser’s rum, Myers’s Dark Rum is an excellent substitute that maintains the drink’s authentic character. The freshly grated nutmeg is essential for the proper flavor profile.
How to Make a Soggy Dollar Bar Painkiller
This rum-based cocktail is super easy to make. Here’s what to do:
Shake the ingredients except for the nutmeg together and pour the mixture into a tall glass filled with ice.
Sprinkle nutmeg on top.
Garnish with orange and pineapple if desired.
Best way to enjoy a Painkiller
The best way to enjoy your painkiller drink is in a hammock, preferably beside another Caribbean beach bum. However, we can’t all make it out to the Virgin Islands to visit the Soggy Dollar Bar, but you can make this cocktail at home and pretend you’re by the Caribbean.
You could even sling a hammock in your garden! I generally make painkillers in multiples, because if you give someone a taste, you will inevitably lose your drink.
Let me know what your favorite cocktail and beach combination is.
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I drank a painkiller there 15 years ago and still remember it,it knocked me off my ass. I even got my ear pierced when I got back to St. Thomas. That was trip I’ll never forget. Hope someday to make it back and believe me,I’ll get another painkiller.
I drank a painkiller there 15 years ago and still remember it,it knocked me off my ass. I even got my ear pierced when I got back to St. Thomas. That was trip I’ll never forget. Hope someday to make it back and believe me,I’ll get another painkiller.
I just made myself one of these the other night, I didn’t have all the listed ingredients, but it still turned out delicious – a nice change of pace on a cold winter night! I used what I had available – Malibu Banana Rum, Dole Pineapple Orange Juice, crushed ice, and a shake of nutmeg on top…….yummy! I picked up the Cream of Coconut at the store, but have yet to use it – 110 calories per ounce? Yikes. All that concentrated sugar will probably be painful in the morning…may just stick to the rum and natural juice, can’t go wrong there.
The name of this drink is amazing, haha! In general I try to stick to lighter cocktails, but when I have friends over they always want calorie-loaded drinks, so this would be pretty awesome for parties.I would probably use Meyer’s dark rum or even Malibu Coconut rum, as I’m not a fan of Pusser’s. Thanks for the simple drink recipe!
I love to cook also and have a cooking blog in which I post my personal recipes which are mainly healthy with emphasis on taste and satisfaction. Please come check it out! If you have a cooking blog, too, please post it in my blog comments!
Pussers rum is turpentine. Mic at Soggy’s uses a local labeled rum, which is actually Cruzan gold. Only someone too drunk to notice the difference (tourists) would ever drink that crap.
This is a new summer favorite.
These were awesome. I made them for my Friday night cocktails.
The Painkiller did not originate from The Soggy Dollar Bar. They stole it. But it is a great recipe.
Where did it originate from then? Proof?
Delicious! We have enjoyed many painkillers at the Soggy Dollar over the years and this recipe killed it.
I drank a painkiller there 15 years ago and still remember it,it knocked me off my ass. I even got my ear pierced when I got back to St. Thomas. That was trip I’ll never forget. Hope someday to make it back and believe me,I’ll get another painkiller.
I drank a painkiller there 15 years ago and still remember it,it knocked me off my ass. I even got my ear pierced when I got back to St. Thomas. That was trip I’ll never forget. Hope someday to make it back and believe me,I’ll get another painkiller.
If you want the ‘real thing’ while you are on a yacht charter vacation just stop by the Soggy Bottom Bar
I just made myself one of these the other night, I didn’t have all the listed ingredients, but it still turned out delicious – a nice change of pace on a cold winter night! I used what I had available – Malibu Banana Rum, Dole Pineapple Orange Juice, crushed ice, and a shake of nutmeg on top…….yummy! I picked up the Cream of Coconut at the store, but have yet to use it – 110 calories per ounce? Yikes. All that concentrated sugar will probably be painful in the morning…may just stick to the rum and natural juice, can’t go wrong there.
It believe got its name from the Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke, BVI.
Pusser’s rum is the worst rum ever made. The only thing it’s good for is killing fish.
The name of this drink is amazing, haha! In general I try to stick to lighter cocktails, but when I have friends over they always want calorie-loaded drinks, so this would be pretty awesome for parties.I would probably use Meyer’s dark rum or even Malibu Coconut rum, as I’m not a fan of Pusser’s. Thanks for the simple drink recipe!
I love to cook also and have a cooking blog in which I post my personal recipes which are mainly healthy with emphasis on taste and satisfaction. Please come check it out! If you have a cooking blog, too, please post it in my blog comments!
xoxo,
Corner Girl
Pussers rum is turpentine. Mic at Soggy’s uses a local labeled rum, which is actually Cruzan gold. Only someone too drunk to notice the difference (tourists) would ever drink that crap.
Only way to make a Painkiller is with Pussers Rum
Do NOT sprinkle nutmeg on top. Grate a fresh nutmeg over the top. Pussers rum does make the best Painkillers.
Mount Gay rum. Is better
Make it with Soggy Dollar Rum if you really want to do it right.