Smooth-Talking Zombie

Legend says the original Zombie was strong enough to raise the dead—hence the name—and so potent Don the Beachcomber capped customers at two per visit. Our version keeps that tropical chaos intact but smooths the edges: cleaner juices, better proportioned rums (or zero-proof swaps), and that dramatic flaming garnish if you dare.

This cocktail thrives in tiki settings—beach parties, backyard luaus, or anytime you’re in the mood for island mayhem. Pair it with spicy jerk chicken, grilled shrimp, or charred pineapple skewers to ride the flavor wave all the way to paradise.

Smooth-Talking Zombie

A modern spin on the infamous Zombie cocktail—layered rums, fresh juices, and a flaming garnish take this tropical classic from lethal to legendary.

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Course: Beverage

Cuisine: Caribbean, Tiki

Keyword: backyard luau, Don the Beachcomber, falernum drink, flaming garnish, grapefruit lime, Halloween cocktails, rum punch, Tiki drink, tropical cocktails, Zombie cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 cocktail

Calories: 234kcal

Equipment

• 1 Cocktail shaker for mixing
• 1 Strainer for pouring
• 1 tiki glass for serving
• 1 Bar Spoon for floating rum
• 1 lighter or long match for flaming garnish

Ingredients

• 1 oz gold rum
• 1 oz dark rum
• 1 oz white rum
• 0.5 oz lime juice freshly squeezed
• 0.5 oz grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
• 0.5 oz falernum
• 0.25 oz absinthe or pastis
• 0.5 oz cinnamon syrup
• 1 dash Angostura bitters
• 0.5 oz overproof rum for float and flame
• 1 mint sprig for garnish
• 1 lime shell for flaming garnish

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Instructions

• Add gold rum, dark rum, white rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, falernum, absinthe, cinnamon syrup, and bitters to a shaker with ice.
  1 oz gold rum, 1 oz dark rum, 1 oz white rum, 0.5 oz lime juice, 0.5 oz grapefruit juice, 0.5 oz falernum, 0.25 oz absinthe, 0.5 oz cinnamon syrup, 1 dash Angostura bitters
• Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to chill and mix.
• Strain into a tall tiki glass filled with crushed ice.
• Carefully float the overproof rum on top by pouring over the back of a spoon.
  0.5 oz overproof rum
• Garnish with a mint sprig and a lime shell filled with a few drops of overproof rum.
  0.5 oz overproof rum, 1 mint sprig, 1 lime shell
• Carefully ignite the rum in the lime shell with a long match or lighter. Blow out before drinking.
  0.5 oz overproof rum, 1 lime shell

Notes

To reduce the booze but keep the vibe, swap in zero-proof rums and skip the float. If flaming the garnish, always light it away from guests and never use indoors without proper safety precautions.

Nutrition

Serving: 240ml | Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg