• Light rum
  45 ml (1.5 oz)

  A clean, dry white rum works best.
• Gold rum
  45 ml (1.5 oz)

  Adds a mellow, rounded body.
• Dark rum
  30 ml (1 oz)

  For deeper flavor.
• Apricot brandy
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  Classic fruity flair.
• Pineapple juice
  30 ml (1 oz)

  Fresh if possible.
• Papaya juice
  30 ml (1 oz)

  Optional, can substitute more pineapple if unavailable.
• Lime juice
  25 ml (0.75 oz)

  Freshly squeezed for best results.
• Grenadine
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  For color and sweetness.
• Falernum
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  A spiced Caribbean syrup.
• Angostura bitters
  60 ml (2 oz)

  Just a dash (about 2 drops).
• 151-proof rum
  15 ml (0.5 oz)

  For floating on top—optional but traditional.

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Hawthorne strainer
• Bar spoon
• Tall (Zombie) glass

1. 1

   Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.

2. 2

   Add light rum, gold rum, dark rum, apricot brandy, pineapple juice, papaya juice (or more pineapple), lime juice, grenadine, falernum, and bitters to the shaker.

3. 3

   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds until well chilled.

4. 4

   Strain the mixture into a tall Zombie glass filled with crushed ice.

5. 5

   Carefully float the 151-proof rum on top by pouring it over the back of a bar spoon.

6. 6

   Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint, a slice of orange, and a cherry.

• A true tiki classic with bold tropical flavors.
• Perfectly balances sweet, sour, and spicy notes.
• Impressively complex—ideal for adventurous drinkers.
• A showstopper at parties thanks to its dramatic garnish and potent reputation.
• Fun to make and even more fun to sip (responsibly!).

The Zombie was created in the 1930s by Donn Beach, the godfather of tiki culture and founder of Don the Beachcomber in Los Angeles. The drink’s name comes from its infamous strength; Donn Beach supposedly concocted it for a hungover customer who later claimed it made him feel like the living dead. The original recipe was a closely guarded secret, featuring a carefully balanced blend of rums, fruit juices, and mysterious syrups. Over time, the Zombie gained a reputation as the quintessential tiki drink, inspiring countless variations and earning a spot on many 'must-try' cocktail lists.