Zombie
Three rums, lime, grapefruit, cinnamon and falernum. Don the Beachcomber's 1934 tiki legend.
Shaken · Tiki mug · Advanced · about 3 minutes · about 22% ABV
Ingredients
- 45 ml Gold rum
- 45 ml Dark rum
- 15 ml Overproof rum
- 15 ml Velvet falernum
- 22.5 ml Fresh lime juice
- 15 ml Grapefruit juice
- 10 ml Cinnamon syrup
- 5 ml Grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash Absinthe
- Mint sprig (garnish)
Method
- Pour 45 ml gold rum into the shaker
- Pour 45 ml dark rum into the shaker
- Pour 15 ml overproof rum into the shaker
- Pour 15 ml velvet falernum into the shaker
- Add 22.5 ml fresh lime juice
- Pour 15 ml grapefruit juice into the shaker
- Pour 10 ml cinnamon syrup into the shaker
- Pour 5 ml grenadine into the shaker
- Add 1 dash of Angostura bitters
- Add 1 dash of absinthe
- Add ice
- Shake hard
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
It is very strong. One per guest is the old rule.
About the Zombie
Created by Donn Beach in Hollywood around 1934. He was so cautious about its strength that he limited guests to two. The recipe was a closely kept secret, and it was only fully reconstructed by tiki historian Jeff "Beachbum" Berry in the 2000s.
The tiki family. Tiki began in 1933–34, when Ernest Gantt, later known as Donn Beach, opened Don the Beachcomber in Hollywood. He mixed several rums with fresh juices, syrups and spices into exotic drinks, and Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron followed in Oakland. Tiki boomed in the 1950s and 1960s, faded, and was revived by bartenders from the 2000s.
Zombie FAQ
What's in a Zombie?
45 ml gold rum, 45 ml dark rum, 15 ml overproof rum, 15 ml velvet falernum, 22.5 ml fresh lime juice, 15 ml grapefruit juice, 10 ml cinnamon syrup, 5 ml grenadine, 1 dash angostura bitters, 1 dash absinthe, garnished with mint sprig.
How strong is a Zombie?
About 22% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 3.8 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is stronger than a glass of wine.
Should I shake or stir a Zombie?
Shake it. citrus, juice and cream need shaking to mix properly and gain a light, lively texture.
What glass do you serve a Zombie in?
A tiki mug, about 450 ml. Serve it over ice. No tiki mug? Use any tall glass.
