tru blu painkillers ~

Sunset and moored in the North Sound of Virgin Gorda between the Bitter End Yacht Club & Saba Rock (latitude 18N 30′ 6.35″ longitude -64W 21′ 35.02″). This is one of the ultimate “5:00 somewhere” moments.

We spent an unforgettable week sightseeing, sailing and diving in the British Virgin Islands on a Moorings crewed sailing charter. Our sailboat was a 55′ Beneteau sloop called the No Comment, expertly crewed by Jon & Monique Peacock. The name of the boat was providence, as it also became our mantra for the week. I’m honoring my pledge to friends to maintain their anonymity, as no one wants pictures of their windblown good times posted to the world for posterity; but it’s hard to always use pictures without people. So I am breaking my rule to post a photo of Jon; I don’t think he will mind 🙂

Of course the scenery was beautiful, but one of the reasons this moment sticks with me is that I laughed as hard as I can ever remember that afternoon.  It was our introduction to the North Sound, and Jon’s intro to shagging American style. Earlier in the week we had our first Painkiller cocktail, appropriately enough at Pusser’s in Road Town, Tortola. That afternoon Jon made Painkillers using the “boat locker recipe” and I’ve included both the single cocktail version and Jon’s recipe below.  They are both excellent in different circumstances.

We were enjoying the drinks along with Monique’s fresh guacamole & chips, talking & laughing when I mentioned music.  Jon was an accomplished musician as well as expert sailor and we had enjoyed his guitar playing during the trip.  Anyway, in this year that was pre-MP3 and waterproof sound systems, we had a portable CD player and some CDs.  I put on one of my CDs as some “music to shag by”. This was also pre-Austin Powers, after which everything became “shagalicious bah-by”!

So, when I put on classic Carolina beach music, Jon looked oddly at me and said, “American’s truly shag to this music”? I said, “Oh yes, this is classic shagging music. Especially where I spent some of my growing up years. They even have contests where thousands come to shag on the beach”.

Jon looked really confused and Monique could not stop giggling. It took a few tries but everyone finally figured out the difference between the Carolina beach dance and the old-fashioned “getting it on” aka British shagging. The proper Brits and the happy Americans drinking, eating, and laughing on a sailboat in the BVI ~ with Painkillers, shag music, and a spectacular sunset ~ now that is a 5:00 moment.

So here are both Painkiller recipes. The drink is slow and smooth and after a day on the water, sip a couple and there will be no pain, I promise! This is one drink that I like on the rocks vs. crushed ice; the rocks melt more slowly and don’t dilute the drink as much. For the single serving, I prefer Pusser’s rum both for taste & tradition. Also, you absolutely MUST garnish with grated nutmeg. Preferably fresh grated, as the spicy smell and taste are fantastic with the smooth drink. Enjoy!

tru blu painkiller
6oz can pineapple juice
2oz fresh orange juice
1.5oz pusser’s rum
1oz cream of coconut
fresh grated nutmeg

Add ingredients except nutmeg to a cocktail shaker with a few ice cubes and shake for 20 seconds. Strain into a tall glass with ice cubes and garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.

Jon’s pitcher painkiller
1 64 oz can pineapple juice
1 22 oz can orange juice
1 fifth gold island rum
1/2 can cream of coconut
fresh grated nutmeg for serving

Add chilled ingredients except nutmeg to a very large pitcher. Stir to mix. Pour servings in glasses over ice and garnish with fresh grated nutmeg.

What the pitcher version lacks in quality ingredients, it makes up in quantity. You can keep the makings under the seat cushions or in the boat locker. After a day on the water, you can mix it up on the hook or on the dock and no one ever complains.

Enjoy these drinks with friends and memorable laughter. Both are guaranteed to kill any of your pains for the moment ~~~