ZombieCocktail recipe
Rating
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Highball glass
Ingredients
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Cocktail Colin says:
The Zombie cocktail, a beloved tiki treasure, dazzles with its hearty mix of rums—gold, Jamaican, and white—which form a robust and intoxicating backbone that's both complex and intriguing. The addition of lime juice cuts through the richness, offering a refreshing zest, while the understated sweetness from grenadine and the faintly aromatic spice from falernum and aniseed liqueur elevate the drink to a symphony of tropical flavors that's dangerously easy to sip.
Method
How to make a Zombie
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- Add all the ingredients to a blender with ice and blend until smooth
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- Pour into a highball glass
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- Garnish with a sprig of mint and serve
Your private tasting notes
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FAQ's
What is the origin of the Zombie cocktail?
The Zombie cocktail was originally concocted by Donn Beach in the late 1930s at his Hollywood restaurant, Don the Beachcomber. It gained popularity after being showcased at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It's known for its potent combination of various rums and tropical ingredients, designed to give it a powerful kick.
Why is it called a Zombie?
The cocktail is named 'Zombie' because of the effect it supposedly had on patrons who drank it. According to cocktail lore, Donn Beach originally created the drink for a customer who was hungover and needed to attend a business meeting. The customer later returned, complaining that the drink had left him feeling like a zombie. The name stuck due to the cocktail's strong effects on those who consume it.
Can I make a non-alcoholic version of the Zombie?
Yes, a non-alcoholic version of the Zombie, often referred to as a 'Virgin Zombie,' can be made by substituting the alcoholic ingredients with non-alcoholic alternatives. For example, you can use non-alcoholic rum flavoring or a blend of fruit juices in place of the rums, and omit any liqueurs. The key is to mimic the fruitiness and spiciness of the original cocktail.
What is falernum, and is there a substitute for it in the Zombie cocktail?
Falernum is a sweet syrup used in Caribbean and tropical drinks, containing flavors of almond, ginger, lime, and sometimes clove or allspice. It's a key ingredient in many tiki cocktails including the Zombie. If falernum is not available, a homemade syrup made from almond extract, ginger syrup, lime juice, and a touch of clove could serve as a substitute, capturing the essence of falernum's flavor profile.
Why do some Zombie cocktail recipes vary in ingredients and quantities?
The Zombie cocktail has many variations, primarily because Donn Beach was very secretive about his original recipe and often changed the ingredients to prevent others from copying it precisely. As a result, bartenders and enthusiasts have created their versions based on taste and interpretation of what a Zombie should be. This has led to diversity in the recipes available, with each offering a different experience of the classic cocktail.
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