Last Updated on May 4, 2023
Cheddar’s Painkiller drink is a delicious tropical cocktail that has become popular in recent years. It’s a refreshing mix of rum, orange juice, coconut, and pineapple that’s perfect for sipping on a warm summer day. It’s also surprisingly easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Here, I’ve shared the recipe for Cheddar’s Painkiller that you can recreate in your own kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a party or just want to enjoy a delicious drink after work, this Painkiller cocktail will surely hit the spot!

What Is Cheddar’s painkiller drink?
Cheddars Painkiller is a tropical cocktail made from rum, orange juice, coconut, and pineapple. It was created in the Caribbean in the early 70s and has become a popular drink worldwide. It is traditionally served with a half-moon-shaped pineapple wedge for garnish.
Where Did I First Try Cheddar’s painkiller drink?
I first tried Cheddars Painkiller at Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. It was a great place to get a delicious meal and an even better tropical drink. They make their Cheddar’s Painkiller with Pusser’s rum, which is a high-end British rum from the Virgin Islands.
It gives it a nice balance of sweetness and coconut flavor that you won’t find in any other cocktail.
Initially, I was skeptical of how good the drink could be, but after trying it, I was hooked.
The combination of sweet and tart flavors combined with the smoky rum makes for a great tropical cocktail.
However, the taste of this drink can be a bit strong for some people, so feel free to adjust the ingredients as needed. Besides, the recipe can be easily customized to suit your own taste.
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Ingredients
Shredded Coconut: ⅔ cup of shredded coconut is needed to make this drink crispier.
Stirrings Simple Syrup: This sweet syrup will be used to moisten the rim of your glass and add a touch of sweetness to the drink.
Pusser’s Rum: This is a high-end British rum from the Virgin Islands and it gives the drink its distinct flavor.
Nutmeg: This is a spice that can be added for flavoring.
Maraschino Cherry: This is a sweet cherry used as an additional flavor in the drink.
Pina Colada Mix and Orange Juice: These will provide a balance of tartness to the drink.
Dole Pineapple Juice: This will add a fruity sweetness to the drink.
Fresh Pineapple Wedge: This adds a nice touch of presentation and flavor.
Cooking Direction
Step 1
Mix together 1 cup of water and one cup of sugar in a pot over medium heat and let it come to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the solution cool.
Step 2
Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, spread some coconut onto an oven-safe baking sheet, and bake for about 8 minutes – stirring occasionally until golden brown.
Step 3
When it’s done, let it cool, and then spread the toasted coconut onto a plate that is slightly larger than your glass’s rim.
Step 4
Next, pour some simple syrup onto a separate plate, and invert an 18-ounce schooner into the syrup so its entire rim is coated.
Step 5
Fill the schooner with some ice, add some rum, pina colada mix and juices to a cocktail shaker with a bit of ice inside, and shake for about 15 seconds.
Step 6
Strain the mixture into the schooner glass, sprinkle some nutmeg on top for garnish, and place a cherry on a pineapple wedge using a toothpick.
Step 7
Slice halfway across one side of the pineapple and place it onto the rim of your glass.
Cooking Tips
- Make sure to add the shredded coconut to a shallow plate and moisten the rim of an 8 to 10-oz schooner glass with some Simple Syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until the shaker is chilled and frothy before straining the contents of your cocktail shaker into your prepped schooner glass.
- Garnish with a half-moon pineapple wedge to complete this tropical beverage.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients as needed in order to suit your own taste.
- This drink is best served immediately for optimal flavor, so drink up!
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
You can replace the Pusser’s rum with another type of rum or substitute it for vodka if you prefer. You can also replace the pineapple juice with mango juice, cranberry juice, or any other preferred fruit juice.
Lastly, you can use a maraschino cherry as an alternative to a fresh pineapple wedge.
If you don’t have access to the ingredients above, you can use a store-bought Pina Colada mix to make this drink. Just be sure to adjust the other ingredients accordingly.

Cheddars Painkiller Drink Recipe
Equipment
- Saucepan
- jigger
- Cocktail Shaker
- plate
- Schooner Glass
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup Bob's Red Mill Shredded Coconut
- 1/3 cup Stirrings Simple Syrup
- 2 oz Pusser's Rum
- Dash Of Nutmeg
- Maraschino Cherry
- 2 oz Pina Colada Mix
- 2 oz Orange Juice
- 3 oz Dole Pineapple Juice,
- Fresh Pineapple Wedge
Instructions
- Mix together 1 cup of water and one cup of sugar in a pot over medium heat and let it come to a boil. Turn off the heat and let the solution cool.
- Now, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, spread some coconut onto an oven-safe baking sheet, and bake for about 8 minutes – stirring occasionally until golden brown.
- When it’s done, let it cool, and then spread the toasted coconut onto a plate that is slightly larger than your glass’s rim.
- Next, pour some simple syrup onto a separate plate, and invert an 18-ounce schooner into the syrup so its entire rim is coated.
- Fill the schooner with some ice, add some rum, pina colada mix and juices to a cocktail shaker with a bit of ice inside, and shake for about 15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into the schooner glass, sprinkle some nutmeg on top for garnish, and place a cherry on a pineapple wedge using a toothpick.
- Slice halfway across one side of the pineapple and place it onto the rim of your glass.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to add the shredded coconut to a shallow plate and moisten the rim of an 8 to 10-oz schooner glass with some Simple Syrup.
- Shake vigorously for 30 seconds or until the shaker is chilled and frothy before straining the contents of your cocktail shaker into your prepped schooner glass.
- Garnish with a half-moon pineapple wedge to complete this tropical beverage.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients as needed in order to suit your own taste.
- This drink is best served immediately for optimal flavor, so drink up!
Nutrition Information
Each serving of this drink contains approximately 140 calories, seven grams of fat, five grams of saturated fat, zero milligrams of cholesterol, nine milligrams of sodium, and 17.8 grams of carbohydrates. It also contains eight percent Vitamin A and 15 percent Vitamin C.
How to Store Leftover Cheddars’ painkiller drink?
If you have leftover Cheddar’s Painkiller drink, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It can be kept for up to three days. Besides, if you want to enjoy the drink later, you can freeze it for up to two months. When ready to serve, take it out of the freezer and let it thaw before serving. The taste may be slightly different than freshly made.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
It is not advisable to eat this drink while pregnant due to the alcohol content. Indeed, alcohol can be harmful to a pregnant woman’s health and the health of her baby.
Is this drink vegan-friendly?
Yes, this drink is vegan-friendly since it does not contain any animal products. Additionally, all the ingredients used in this recipe are plant-based.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this drink?
Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of this drink by omitting the rum and substituting pineapple juice for the Pina Colada mix. You can also add a bit of honey or sweetener for sweetness.
Can I make this drink ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the Cheddar’s Painkiller drink in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. When ready to serve, take it out of the fridge and serve chilled.
Wrapping Up
The Cheddar’s Painkiller drink is a delicious and refreshing cocktail that you can make in the comfort of your own home. With only five ingredients, it is easy to prepare and customize according to your taste preferences.
Be sure to invite some friends over when you make this tropical beverage, as they will enjoy the unique flavors of rum, pineapple juice, and shredded coconut.
Please share this recipe with friends and family, and don’t forget to enjoy it responsibly! Thank you for your time.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.