Zombie cocktail in a tiki mug — Pineapple juice

Zombie Cocktail Recipe

tropical boozy fruity

light rum, gold rum, dark rum, overproof rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, papaya juice, falernum, grenadine, absinthe

History

The Zombie was created in 1934 by Donn Beach (Don the Beachcomber) at his Hollywood restaurant, the birthplace of tiki culture. Legend says he mixed it for a hungover customer who needed something strong enough to get through a business meeting; the man later returned claiming the drink had turned him into a zombie for days. Beach limited customers to two per visit. The original formula stayed secret until tiki historian Jeff “Beachbum” Berry reconstructed it. At home you do not need four rums: light plus dark plus a float of whatever overproof is in the pantry still makes a Zombie. Mix it when rum, lime, and pineapple are already on the shelf — skip the bottled tiki mix.

Ingredients

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How to make

  1. Pack a tiki mug or tall glass with crushed ice.
  2. Add 1½ oz light rum, 1½ oz gold rum, 1 oz dark rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz pineapple juice, ½ oz papaya juice (or extra pineapple if papaya is not in the pantry), ¼ oz falernum, ¼ oz grenadine, and a dash of absinthe to a shaker with ice.
  3. Shake until the tin frosts.
  4. Strain over the crushed ice.
  5. Float ½ oz overproof rum by pouring it over the back of a spoon so it sits on top.
  6. Garnish with mint and whatever fruit you have.
  7. Limit yourself to one — this is a three-rum drink with a fourth on top.

Glassware

Tiki mug

Ceramic keeps big, crushed-ice tropical pours cold and matches the playful presentation.

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Zombie FAQ

How many rums are in a Zombie cocktail?

This Zombie uses three rums in the shake — light, gold, and dark — plus an overproof rum float. At home, light plus dark plus a float of whatever overproof is in the pantry still makes a Zombie.

What ingredients are in a Zombie?

A Zombie is made with light rum, gold rum, dark rum, overproof rum, lime juice, pineapple juice, papaya juice, falernum, grenadine, and absinthe. Amounts and pantry matching are in the ingredients list on this page.

How do you make a Zombie?

Pack a tiki mug or tall glass with crushed ice. Add 1½ oz light rum, 1½ oz gold rum, 1 oz dark rum, ¾ oz lime juice, ½ oz pineapple juice, ½ oz papaya juice (or extra pineapple if papaya is not in the pantry), ¼ oz falernum, ¼ oz grenadine, and a dash of absinthe to a shaker with ice. Shake until the tin frosts. Strain over the crushed ice. Float ½ oz overproof rum by pouring it over the back of a spoon so it sits on top. Garnish with mint and whatever fruit you have. Limit yourself to one — this is a three-rum drink with a fourth on top.

What glass do you serve a Zombie in?

Serve a Zombie in a Tiki mug. Ceramic keeps big, crushed-ice tropical pours cold and matches the playful presentation.

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