Zombie Cocktail
This classic tiki cocktail blends three rums with citrus, spice, and a little grenadine for a tall, punchy drink. It is delicious, but it is strong, so serve it slowly and with plenty of crushed ice.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 10mCook 0mAmerican tikiDrinks
The Zombie cocktail was born in the early tiki bar era, when layered rum drinks, fresh citrus, and dramatic garnishes made a night out feel like a small vacation. It is fruity and spiced, but it is not a light punch.
This version keeps the classic spirit of the drink with light rum, aged rum, dark rum, lime, grapefruit, cinnamon syrup, falernum, grenadine, and bitters. A small overproof rum float adds aroma and strength, so measure carefully.
Crushed ice is part of the recipe, not just a way to chill it. It softens the drink as you sip and helps balance the bold mix of rum, citrus, and syrup.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
12 items · 1 cocktail
- 1 ounce light rum
- 1 ounce aged or gold rum
- 1 ounce dark rum
- 1/2 ounce overproof rum, for floating on top
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1/2 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
- 1/2 ounce cinnamon syrup
- 1/2 ounce falernum
- 1 teaspoon grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 cup crushed ice, plus more to fill the glass if needed
- Mint sprig, lime wheel, or cocktail cherry, for garnish optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a tall tiki glass, Collins glass, or large highball glass in the freezer for a few minutes. A cold glass helps the crushed ice last longer.
2. Measure the liquids
Add the light rum, aged rum, dark rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, falernum, grenadine, and bitters to a cocktail shaker. Use a jigger or small measuring cup so the drink stays balanced.
3. Add the crushed ice
Add 1 cup crushed ice to the shaker. Crushed ice chills the drink quickly and adds a little dilution, which means it softens the alcohol and citrus.
4. Shake briefly
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 6 to 8 seconds. You want the drink cold and slightly frothy, but not watery.
5. Pour into the glass
Open the shaker and pour everything, including the ice, into the chilled glass. Add more crushed ice if needed to fill the glass to the top.
6. Float the overproof rum
Slowly pour the overproof rum over the back of a spoon held just above the drink. This helps it sit near the top instead of mixing in all at once.
7. Garnish and serve
Add a mint sprig, lime wheel, or cherry if you like. Serve right away with a straw, and stir before sipping if you prefer a more even flavor.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Make-ahead: You can mix the lime juice, grapefruit juice, cinnamon syrup, falernum, grenadine, and bitters up to 8 hours ahead. Keep the mix covered in the refrigerator. Add the rums and ice only when serving.
- Batching: For 4 drinks, multiply every ingredient by 4 except the crushed ice. Chill the mixed base, then shake each serving with ice so the texture stays bright and cold.
- Storage: A finished Zombie does not store well because the crushed ice melts. If you have extra mixed base without ice, refrigerate it for up to 1 day.
- Cinnamon syrup swap: If you do not have cinnamon syrup, use simple syrup and add a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon. It will taste less smooth, but it works in a pinch.
- Falernum swap: Falernum adds lime, spice, almond, and clove notes. If you do not have it, use 1/4 ounce simple syrup plus 1/4 ounce orange liqueur, with a tiny pinch of ground clove or allspice.
- Overproof rum note: The float is traditional, but optional. Skip it for a less strong drink, or replace it with 1/2 ounce dark rum if you want the aroma without as much alcohol strength.
Cook's note
This is a high-alcohol cocktail. The nutrition estimate includes the rums and sweet mixers, but not optional garnishes. Values will vary by rum brand, falernum brand, and syrup sweetness.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
Why is a Zombie cocktail so strong?
It uses several types of rum, including an optional overproof rum float. The juices and syrups make it taste smooth, so it is important to measure carefully and sip slowly.
Can I make a Zombie without overproof rum?
Yes. Leave out the overproof rum, or replace it with 1/2 ounce dark rum. The drink will still have plenty of rum flavor and will be easier to manage.
Do I need crushed ice?
Crushed ice is recommended. It chills the cocktail fast and melts at the right pace, which helps balance the strong rum and sweet-tart mixers. If you only have cubes, shake with cubes and pour over fresh ice.
What is falernum?
Falernum is a sweet tiki ingredient flavored with lime, spices, and often almond or ginger. Some versions are alcoholic and some are not. Either type can work, but the flavor and calories may change.
Can I use bottled lime or grapefruit juice?
Fresh lime juice is strongly preferred because it tastes brighter. Bottled grapefruit juice can work if it is 100% juice and not very sweet, but fresh grapefruit juice gives the cleanest flavor.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium2 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate22 g
- 8%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars21 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium2 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium38 mg
- 1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
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