When you are in the Virgin Islands, be it the US or British, one cocktail you will see served at every bar is the Painkiller. This cocktail is the perfect island drink. It consists of dark rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut, topped with freshly-grated nutmeg. The Painkiller was created in the 1970’s at the Soggy Dollar, a bar on White Bay beach on the island of Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands, It got its name because patrons had to swim ashore to get to the bar and their money would get wet.
The Painkiller is now trademarked by Pusser’s Rum Ltd. and is their signature cocktail. However, you can use any dark rum you like. Dark rum can be aged rum or have had molasses or caramel added to it. As with any other liquor, the choice of brand is all about personal preference. I, personally, have always enjoyed Myers’s Original Dark Rum so that’s typically what I use. The combination of the rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, and cream of coconut with the fresh grated nutmeg is the perfect drink for the beach. It’s not so strong that it knocks your socks off, and the fruit juice makes it surprisingly refreshing! So next time you want to feel like you are in paradise, go ahead and make this delicious cocktail, kick back, and enjoy!
