The Ultimate Painkiller Cocktail Recipe

My First Painkiller Cocktail

The first time I tried a Painkiller Cocktail was at North Cape Yacht Club in Michigan where their bartender Chad was mixing up a Painkiller for my friend Christine’s mother Jan. 

I asked her what that delicious concoction was and she told me it was a ‘Painkiller’ and gave me a sip. It tasted like a vacation in a glass and I immediately ordered one for myself.

We kept Chad’s cocktail shaker going all day as we continued to order more of this fantastic libation.

Suffice it to say, the afternoon was a little foggy for me but I have a vague recollection of Chad showing us ladies something on his chiseled chest privately later in the day. To this day I have no memory of what it was!

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How to Make a Painkiller Cocktail at Home?

After our fun weekend at the Yacht Club, I went out and bought all of the ingredients from the recipe Chad gave me to make Painkillers at home. 

I promptly made up a batch on Monday night for my neighbor and me to try. I even found these adorable Tiki Pineapple Glasses. They were fantastic!

Tiki Pineapple Glasses

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From that day forward I always kept a bottle of Cream of Coconut on hand. I usually use Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut but I have used other brands when I cannot find it. 

What is the Difference Between a Painkiller and a Pina Colada?

Some of my friends when they first try it think it tastes like a Pina Colada. However, I find the Painkiller much richer in taste and less sweet.

Don’t get me wrong, the Painkiller has sweetness but I can drink more than one of these but not the Pina Colada. The Pina Colada uses white rum or coconut rum instead of dark rum and no orange juice.

Sampling Painkiller Cocktails In Another Country

The story goes that the Painkiller actually originated in the British Virgin Islands at the Soggy Dollar Bar. This bar had no dock so the patrons would have to swim ashore to get to it and pay for their drinks with ‘soggy dollars’.

So, earlier this year we were in St. Maarten aboard the Enigma Catamaran with Captain Neil and his crew. He has a beautiful day trip that we are pampered on once or twice a year. If you get to St. Maarten you must try it!

While onboard his bartender asked us what she could make for us (they have a fully stocked bar). I asked for a round of Painkiller Cocktails for our group. She said she knew the recipe and proceeded to make a batch for us.

 Not All Painkillers Are Alike

Suffice it to say, not all painkillers are alike. This drink wasn’t the same at all. Because we love Captain Neil we all choked it down (kind of like a nasty pill). 

I later realized she used Coconut Cream instead of Cream of Coconut. Wow, what a difference it made. I don’t think she even realized the difference. 

We never did say anything to her as she was so sweet and all our other cocktails that day were amazing!

On our next voyage with Captain Neil, I will be sure to bring some Cream of Coconut along with me. 

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Do You Want The Recipe?

I will share with you my Painkiller Cocktail recipe with one stipulation- you must try it!

I would love to hear how you enjoyed this recipe, so please comment below and be sure to check out more recipes at www.nextcocktails.com