Zombie
Blend ∙ 4 min ∙ 14.1% ABV ∙
The Zombie is a strong blended tiki drink of three rums with falernum, pineapple, lime and grapefruit juices, grenadine and a few dashes of absinthe.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Blend all ingredients with ice: Caribbean aged rum 30 mlLight gold rum 25 mlJamaican aged rum 20 mlFalernum liqueur 15 mlPineapple juice 30 mlLime juice 20 mlPink grapefruit juice 10 mlGrenadine syrup 5 mlAbsinthe 4 dashes
- Pour into the chilled glass
- Garnish with a mint sprig
Tips
- Blend with cracked ice for only a few seconds. Any longer and the drink turns watery and the rums blur together.
- Keep all three rums. Swap them for a single bottle and the Zombie tastes flat and one-note.
- The absinthe is 4 dashes, not a pour. That's enough to scent the drink; more and it drowns the fruit.
History
The Zombie first appeared in late 1934, invented by Donn Beach at his Hollywood restaurant Don the Beachcomber. Legend says he mixed it to help a hungover customer through a business meeting; the man later complained the drink had turned him into a zombie for his whole trip. Beach guarded the recipe fiercely, giving bartenders coded ingredient references, and Don the Beachcomber outlets limited guests to two apiece. The drink spread east after a copy was served at the 1939 New York World's Fair by nightclub owner Monte Proser, who was attempting to take credit for it.
Jeff "Beachbum" Berry later reconstructed Beach's original formulas in his 2007 book Sippin' Safari, documenting three versions dating from 1934 to 1956. Trader Vic, founder of the Polynesian-themed restaurant chain, also published a Zombie recipe in his 1947 Bartender's Guide. Today the Zombie stands alongside the Mai Tai as a tiki classic.
FAQ
What is in a Zombie cocktail?
A Zombie blends three rums — a Caribbean aged rum, a light gold rum, and a Jamaican aged rum — with falernum, pineapple, lime, and pink grapefruit juices, grenadine, and a few dashes of absinthe.
Is the Zombie the strongest cocktail?
Not the strongest, but it is one of the strongest classic tiki drinks, with 75 ml of rum split across three styles. This recipe comes to about 14.1% ABV in the glass, and the fruit hides the alcohol well.
Is a Zombie shaken or blended?
Blended. A few seconds with ice chills and mixes the drink; long blending waters it down.
What glass is a Zombie served in?
A tall Collins glass, garnished with a mint sprig. The tall glass holds the generous volume of rum, juice, and blended ice.
How do you make an easy Zombie at home?
Blend all the ingredients with ice for a few seconds, pour into a chilled Collins glass, and garnish with a mint sprig.
