Gully Wash - A Bahamian Specialty

20.3.16 | Recipe by Renz


A sweet Bahamian concoction that will easily transport you to a beach and some Caribbean breeze.


Gully Wash: A local Bahamian concoction made with coconut water, gin and condensed milk. #HomeMadeZagat



I am back!

And I'm about to introduce you to one of my favorite drinks I had while I was in the Bahamas.

A local drink called Gully Wash also called Sky Juice. An amazing mix of coconut water, with gin and condensed milk.

A sweet, but strong creeper.

I went on a little birthday cruise to Key West and Mexico which just reopened my appetite for travel and food. It was such an amazing trip that reminded me why from an early age I was just a jet setter.

Though the Bahamas was not one of my stops on this trip, I was nostalgic and remembered this drink so much while away.

You know there are some things that only the locals of a place knows about? It's like a hidden secret that they don't really like to share with visitors unless they like you.

Then they are ready to take you into the fold and open you up to a whole new local world. This was my experience in the Bahamas.

I've always loved travelling. I am willing to go everywhere once. I remember when I mentioned going to the Bahamas, everyone was very quick to mention that it was going to be just like Trinidad and Tobago. I didn't care. I wanted to be the one to experience it myself.

And they were right.

With the weather the same, the people just as welcoming, and the food just as amazing. Bahamian food is mostly seafood, or that may be mostly what I was focusing on.

A lot of grilled lobster, shrimp, and conch. Whereas we would rather curry or curry stew our foods using a host of other spices.

One thing that stood out for me especially, though, was this drink called gully wash. It's treacherous. In a good way.

What is gully wash


Also known as sky juice, this drink is a simple Bahamian favorite.

A mixture of coconut water blended with gin and condensed milk. The weirdest sounding combination but I can tell you, when you drink it, YOU ARE SURPRISED.

It's an easy drink to make, just blending everything together.

Chilled and then pour into a glass.

Or traditionally it's served in a milk jug or even in a coconut.




Gully Wash: A local Bahamian concoction made with coconut water, gin and condensed milk. #HomeMadeZagat



Apparently Bahamians drink this all the time. Mornings, evenings, before dinner, with dinner, if you missed dinner. Anytime!!

That gin... is nooo joke.

Gully wash reminds me of a diluted version of our Ponche de creme.

Gully Wash: A local Bahamian concoction made with coconut water, gin and condensed milk. #HomeMadeZagat

What to make it even better? Let it sit for a few hours, where the ingredients blend together better. Slurrrp!!


Tips and Tricks


As with everything, using fresh ingredients makes it a lot better. So using fresh coconut water if you can get your hands on it even with a bit of jelly would be a plus.

If you do resort to using boxed/canned water, let it just be plain coconut water and no way flavored.

If you don't have gin, you can easily replace it with a dark rum.


Can you make gully wash ahead of time?


You can definitely make this ahead of your event.

Just mix it all together and keep it in an air tight bottle.

This can be made up to a week ahead.

What to eat with gully wash?


This drink needs a liquor helper type of food.

Pair this with some oxtail mac and cheese, or some lo mein.


Just a light hang out with your friends? Some fresh fruit would be good or even cutters like geera chicken neck, jerk fried chicken wings or pulled jerk chicken sandwiches.

So call your girls over for a girl's night and mix up a few batches of this drinky drink.

It's quick to make on the spot if not made ahead.

This drink is to the Bahamas, what rum punch is to Trinidad and Tobago.

Have you ever gone somewhere and ventured off the beaten path?


As someone who comes from a country that relies on tourism, know that there is a "tourist path" and a "local path".

But always be safe when venturing out

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