Where can I get a Bushwacker in Orange Beach or Perdido Key?

The Flora-Bama runs a dedicated Bushwacker operation that's basically a rite of passage. Expect a line in season. Other beach bars and gulf-front restaurants make their own versions — strength and sweetness vary wildly.

They go down easy and hit later. One is fun; three is a story you may not want. Pair with water and food, especially in July heat.

See best bars, happy hours, and waterfront bars.

The origin story most people repeat: invented in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the 1970s and brought to the Pensacola area soon after, then adopted by every beach bar from here to Gulf Shores. It stuck because it's perfect for the climate — a boozy chocolate milkshake in 95° heat is a hard thing to argue with. Every bar has a house recipe and a house story, and the Flora-Bama turned it into a production line and a rite of passage. Nobody agrees on the best one, which is the fun of it.

Ask if they float rum on top (some do by default, some on request — it turns a dessert into a serious drink), whether it's blended fresh or from a machine, and if kids can get a virgin one — most places happily do, and it's a good move for a hot afternoon. Get it after the beach, not before, and pair it with water and food. Also see the best bars and waterfront bars for where to sit and drink it.