- Why use Overproof rum?
- The high (around 75%) alcohol content 'cuts through' the many juices and sugar, ensuring a dry finish.
- I don't have Falernum, what should I do?
- Make a quick 'mock' Falernum: soak grated ginger, lime zest, cloves and a drop of almond extract in sugar syrup.
The Zombie (Classic tiki cocktail)
Donn Beach's 1934 masterpiece reflects a 'functional' approach to cocktail making: how to hide an extreme amount of alcohol (3-4 types of rum) so the drink remains palatable? The answer is the 'trinity': acid (lime and grapefruit), sugar (syrups), and spice (bitters, absinthe). The role of ice here is critical: dilution is not a mistake but part of the recipe – water opens up the aromas and makes this 'liquid dynamite' drinkable.
Ingredients
30
ml
White rum (Puerto Rican style)
30
ml
Dark rum (Jamaican, aged)
15
ml
Overproof rum (high alcohol, 75%)
20
ml
Fresh lime juice
15
ml
Falernum syrup (spiced almond syrup)
15
ml
Donn's Mix (2:1 grapefruit juice and cinnamon syrup)
5
ml
Grenadine syrup
1
dash
Angostura bitters
1
dash
Absinthe (or Pernod)
200
g
Crushed ice (for serving)
1
handful
Ice cubes (for shaking)
1
sprig
Fresh mint (for garnish)
Shopping List (0)
Equipment Needed
- Boston Shaker
- Hawthorne strainer
- Jigger (precision measuring cup)
- Tiki mug or highball glass
Allergen Information
Nuts (Almond in Falernum)
Instructions
1
✓
Measure all liquid ingredients into the shaker.
Tip: Precision is vital here. Due to the many ingredients, if you just pour by eye, the balance will be upset and it will be an undrinkable mess.
2
✓
Add a large handful of ice cubes to the shaker and close it.
Tip: Always use hard ice cubes for shaking, not crushed, because crushed ice melts too fast during shaking.
3
✓
Shake with brutal force for 10-15 seconds.
Tip: The goal is rapid cooling and aeration. It's ready when your hand almost freezes to the metal shaker.
4
✓
Fill the glass with fresh crushed ice.
Tip: The huge surface area of crushed ice keeps the drink extremely cold, which dulls the perception of alcohol.
5
✓
Strain the drink onto the ice.
Tip: The strainer holds back the 'tired' ice you shook with.
6
✓
Take the mint sprig and slap it hard against your palm before placing it in the glass.
Tip: The physical shock breaks the oil capsules in the leaves. So when you take a sip, your nose is flooded with mint scent, freshening the experience.
Recipe FAQ
Ingredients
- 30 ml White rum (Puerto Rican style)
- 30 ml Dark rum (Jamaican, aged)
- 15 ml Overproof rum (high alcohol, 75%)
- 20 ml Fresh lime juice
- 15 ml Falernum syrup (spiced almond syrup)
- 15 ml Donn's Mix (2:1 grapefruit juice and cinnamon syrup)
- 5 ml Grenadine syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 dash Absinthe (or Pernod)
- 200 g Crushed ice (for serving)
- 1 handful Ice cubes (for shaking)
- 1 sprig Fresh mint (for garnish)