It's no secret that we love tradition, respect history and appreciate real, true and unadulterated rum. It was inevitable that we found and loved Pusser's Blue Label - a true and pure slice of history. And take note that Sue Sea and I are avid kayakers...
What?! How could kayaking possibly relate?
Easy. We are within easy driving distance of Key Largo, home of a famous kayak outfitter and who used to sponser annual races attended by top talent from all over the world. It's the world famous Florida Keys, you know. It also turns out that one of the Tobias family members is also a kayaker, lives in Key Largo and not unexpectedly, reps for Pussers. In addition to all manner of barbecued food and treats, the outdoor after-party also featured Pusser's Painkillers, made by Jamey himself. It was entirely authentic, and simply wonderful, especially in this sub-tropical setting.
Doesn't get any better.
Back to the Future
As some of you know, I recently became engaged in a netwide engagement, in which I have strongly advocated for families Gosling and Tobias and their wonderful (trademarked) signature drinks. In the world of spirits these two are relatively small and independent players who have worked very long and hard, and have invested considerable treasure in promoting their signature drinks. It is both legal and moral to support them. Coincidentally, Sue Sea and I have just been through a trying month or two of medical issue so it was time to celebrate with a nice cookout.
Naturally, it occured to me to make the first authentic Painkiller since that day long ago in Key Largo...
The Recipe
If you don't know already, here it is:
1. 2 oz. Pusser's rum (Blue Label for us)
2. 4 oz. pineapple juice
3. 1 oz. fresh squeezed orange juice
4. 1 oz. cream of coconut (used Coco Lopez)
Shake vigorously with ice, and into a nice tall chilled glass filled with fresh ice. Top with a goodly amount of freshly grated nutmeg. And the result? Neither Sue Sea or I are big mixed drink fans (short of a good dry and/or dirty gin dry martini), but this fresh and authentic Painkiller was absolutely delicious, healthy - yes healthy - and refreshing. Although we made the Painkiller with 2 oz, Pussers also suggests that it can be made with 3 or 4 oz of Pussers, depending on how much you wish the rum to shine through.
Our feeling: 2 oz of Pussers was beautifully balanced and integrated, but since we are both sippers, we'd suggest 2-1/2 to 3 oz. for a bit more of a Pusser's profile (4 oz would be too much).
And finally... just why does the Pusser's Painkiller work?
As well put by The Art of Drink...
Accoding to another profession - although based on the ingredients the Painkiller would appear to be just another creamy and pussified rum drink, it is not. It contains none of the cream of a Pina Colada, and a lot more coconut. The orange juice and nutmeg - and especially the very robust Pusser's rum - make this a man drink, one that will last and be fully savored."The Painkiller is a drink similar in nature to a Pina Colada or a Goombay Smash. They are all based on rum, with flavours of pineapple and coconut. But, each one is different, with the Pina Colada being the basic rum, pineapple and coconut drink and the Painkiller adding some orange juice and mixing up the ratio’s a bit, but not much. The difference is the addition of cream to the Pina Colada and the absence of cream in the Painkiller, but added orange juice. The Painkiller also gets a nutmeg dusting."
We agree. The Painkiller simply works.
