Zombie
Don the Beachcomber's legendary tiki bomb — three rums layered with lime, falernum, grapefruit, cinnamon and absinthe. Its high cumulative ABV and many components make precise batch math essential before service.
Set servings & plan this recipe →
How to make it
Shaken · Advanced · about 4 minutes
- 1
Add the aged jamaican rum, gold puerto rican rum, 151-proof demerara rum, lime juice, falernum, grapefruit juice and absinthe to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- 2
Shake hard for 10–15 seconds until the outside of the shaker frosts over.
- 3
Strain into a hurricane glass over fresh ice.
- 4
Garnish with mint sprig.
Tools you'll need
Making a batch for a party?
This example makes 12 servings with added water at 27% of the full recipe volume before dilution. This is a planning assumption; water from ice at service is not predicted. Edit this recipe and create a purchase sheet → See the pre-calculated 10-serve batch →
| Ingredient | × 12 | mL |
|---|---|---|
| Aged Jamaican rum | 18.0 oz | 532 |
| Gold Puerto Rican rum | 18.0 oz | 532 |
| 151-proof Demerara rum | 12.0 oz | 355 |
| Lime juice | 9.0 oz | 266 |
| Falernum | 6.0 oz | 177 |
| Grapefruit juice | 6.0 oz | 177 |
| Absinthe | 1.5 oz | 44 |
BatchPour tools produce estimates for planning purposes only. Actual dilution, ABV, and ingredient yields vary by technique, ice temperature, and produce. Always taste and adjust. Drink responsibly.
If you like the Zombie, try…
Daiquiri
rumRum, lime, sugar — deceptively simple, endlessly satisfying.
Mojito
rumRum, mint, lime, and soda — refreshing and crowd-pleasing.
Dark 'n' Stormy
rumDark rum and ginger beer — a Caribbean classic with serious depth.
Piña Colada
rumRum, coconut cream, pineapple — tropical and party-ready.
Zombie FAQ
What's in a Zombie?
A classic Zombie is made with aged jamaican rum, gold puerto rican rum, 151-proof demerara rum, lime juice, falernum, grapefruit juice, absinthe. It's shaken and served in a hurricane glass.
What is the ABV of a Zombie?
The listed ingredients calculate to approximately 35.5% ABV before added water or ice melt, with approximately 3.48 US standard drinks per serving. Water lowers the concentration but does not change the alcohol quantity.
Should I shake or stir a Zombie?
Shake it. Citrus and other non-spirit ingredients need the aeration and hard chill that shaking gives.
How do I batch Zombies for a party?
Scale each ingredient by your number of servings. Open this recipe in the batch planner to choose added water, package sizes and ingredients to hold for service. Preset water percentages are planning assumptions applied to all recipe liquid before dilution, not predictions of ice melt.