Zombie recipe
The legendary tiki drink so strong bars limited you to two.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Tiki mug or Collins glass ·
Time: 5 min ·
Difficulty: Advanced ·
Family: Tiki & Tropical
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Gold rum (Jamaican)
- 1.5 oz Dark rum (Demerara)
- 1 oz Overproof rum (151-proof)
- 0.75 oz Fresh lime juice
- 0.5 oz Falernum
- 0.5 oz Don's Mix (2:1 grapefruit juice to cinnamon syrup)
- 1 tsp Grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash Absinthe
How to make a Zombie
- Combine all rums, lime juice, falernum, Don's Mix, grenadine, bitters, and absinthe in a shaker.
- Add ice and shake hard for 10 seconds.
- Strain into a tiki mug or tall glass filled with crushed ice.
- Garnish with mint sprig and lime wheel.
- Float the overproof rum on top if desired.
Garnish
Mint sprig and lime wheel
Pro tip
Don Beachcomber's original recipe was a closely guarded secret. The key is using three different rums for complexity. Limit yourself to one — this drink is stronger than it tastes.
History of the Zombie
Created by Don the Beachcomber (Ernest Gantt) in 1934 at his Hollywood restaurant. The drink was so potent that he limited customers to two per visit. It became the flagship drink of the tiki movement.
Flavour profile
Boozy, Tropical, Complex, Spiced
Variations
- Simplified Zombie — Use just two rums (gold and dark) and skip the absinthe
- Jet Pilot — Similar template with added cinnamon syrup and grapefruit
- Navy Grog — Three rums with honey and grapefruit — lighter and more refreshing
Practise making the Zombie in the free Virtual Bar game.