The 1964 Aku Aku Zombie is by far my favorite Tiki cocktail of all time. No need to fix that one I guess. But of course I‘m looking forward to your spin on the Smuggler‘s Cove version of the original 1934 Zombie. :)
The first time I had a Zombie and thought "this is delicious" was at a tiki bar in Boulder, CO called The Jungle. After becoming a regular there, the bartender Daniel (he's a genius and a gentleman) wrote down the recipe for me on a napkin that's posted on my fridge door with a magnet to this day: 2oz Don Q Gold 1/2oz Rum Fire 1/2oz OFTD 1/2oz Don's Mix 1/4oz Grenadine 1/2oz Falernum 1oz Lime juice Dialing back the rum a little and upping the lime juice really makes a difference in the balance of the drink. Their blend of rums is cost effective for them (they charge $12 for this, which in Boulder is cheap for a good tiki drink) while still packing some punch. It's delicious, as close to being "crushable" as a Zombie ever could, or should, be. While it is missing the absinthe and Angostura, it still is tart, bitter, and complex. The other delicious recipe that I've found so far is the one printed on the back of Ed Hamilton's Zombie Blend he designed with Beachbum Berry (which is a blend of Jamaican, Puerto Rican, and Demerara rums bottled at 59%): 2oz of the Beachbum Berry Zombie rum 3/4oz lime juice 1/2oz grapefruit juice 1/2oz cinnamon syrup 1/2oz Falernum 1 dash Angostura 1 dash absinthe 1 dash grenadine This one is also very well-balanced and probably more "in the spirit" of the original. I feel like my ultimate recipe would be some merging of these two versions.
These specs don’t seem balanced to me. I add more sweetness & citrus; increase the amount of Overproof rum & remove the non Overproof rum. Here’s my recipe: - Plantation OFTD Rum - Hamilton Demerara 151 Rum - BG Reynold’s Falernum Syrup - Cinnamon Syrup - Grenadine - Grapefruit Juice - Lime Juice - Absinthe Dash/Spray - Tiki Bitters - Mint Garnish
I’m gonna be honest I never cared for any of these versions of the Zombie, find them all out of balance. Having said that the Smugglers Cove recipe for The Undead Gentleman (a twist on the Zombie) is a much more enjoyable version except I serve it not in a coupe as it says, but in a glass with ice.
I rather enjoy Beachbum Berry’s version from his Total Tiki app but noticed that it also includes falernum so I’m not sure if that isn’t included in the book you have. The rums I generally use is Don Q 7, Coruba, and Hamilton 151 and for me it comes out quite nice. 😁
I use Cates recipe and probably add more grapefruit juice than recipe calls for, and i love it! I do use more aged rums and have access to all 151s that my heart desires.
I was never able to get a 151 Hamilton Demerara in Germany but for my personal taste a 1:1 blend of Plantation 69% and Lemon Hart Demerara Rum does the trick for me when it comes to the Demerara Rum of Don's Original receipt. So in my Don's 1934 receipt are actually four different rums.
Question. I don't see anywhere in the US I can get the Monin Pompllemousse Rose Syrup. Is this only in the UK here on Monin's website the only two offerings are Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup or Monin's Rose syrup. What do you recommend?
Original zombie is meant to be a challenge not for the faint of heart, not a mass market everyday drink 😉 That said, it is still my favourite tiki drink. The Aku Aku as others have mentioned is a much more approachable version. The original can be made to work though, for me it works with homemade falernum, a sweeter cordial version of Don's Mix, and a funky dark Jamaican.
Ok...I am back. The guy who asked about smoking the rums. I am working with Plantation 5 year. I have smoked the drink in variations. With wood and tobacco. The most flavor I have been able to introduce is game leaf brand dark rum aged dark leaf cigar tobacco. The taste I am missing is the cinnamon spice. With the combination am trying to create is a rum to be consumed by the glass full, out of a wood stien. The smoke cap and cup are cedar wood. I tried I am first and the oak flavor was undesirable. To seal the cedar and add flavor the wood before use, what spiced rum would have the strongest cinnamon content? I have tried adding cinnamon stick but that adds a bitter vibe. The reason for these steps is from my attempt to start a traveling speak easy, with all the drinks made up from a original recipes. All drinks served in a wood mug or horn. Really living up to the pirate traditions. As a server, do you notice different flavors served out of different containers. Glass,brass,copper,aluminium, wood,horn, or bone?
Ha, I don't think I've ever...in 30 years... had a drink out of Wood, Horn or Bone. Glass vs metal though...I can only realte that to bottled Cola. It tastes better in a Bottle. But for a Cocktail... i don't think its in there long enough to make a difference. EXCEPT the temp. A metal vessel will conduct heat better meing a colder drink for longer. Dunno if that helps...
What is the name of the other book? I could catch the smugglers cove title but not the other one, thanks and I really enjoy your videos. I really like Appleton 12, Zaya Gran Reserva and Diplomatico Reserva as my combination for the Zombie.
Tried this recipe. Previously was using the Smugglers Cove version, and I was kind of forcing myself to make it occasionally, as yeah it did not shine. Addition of the Grapefruit Syrup really made it a proper drink. I used Denizen Merchant Reserve 8, Flor de Caña 12 and Plantation O.F.T.D and it was good. A bit on the sweet side for me - Grapefruit syrup must be increasing the sweetness, so next time I did less grenadine and that fixed that (for my palette). Thx Steve big improvement!
I was never happy with my Zombies until I used Hamilton Beachbum Berry's Zombie Blend Rum. I used the recipe on the bottle but upped the rum from 2oz to 3oz, to me, a zombie has to be strong :)
Steve, I couldn't agree with you more. There is not enough of a pronounced grapefruit flavor in this drink with white grapefruit. I myself, have used pink grapefruit with Appleton Signature, Bacardi 8, and the Plantation 151 and the drink is superb. We need to go back in history why white grapefruit was used, probably because it was most readily available before the Ruby Red was patented in 1929 where other pinks were produced commercially. The pink definitely adds a little more sugar. For a drink to have that high of an ABV with the 3 rums, it needs more citrus to balance out. I would think that using the Smith & Cross would add more Jamaican funk, but with the higher ABV, it might throw the entire balance off that might require 10mL pink grapefruit and 10mL cinnamon syrup.
Hi Steve, I have made Adelaide Steve the Bartender’s recipe from his App. 90ml Aged Rum - Appleton 8 for me 30ml OP Rum - Smith & Cross for me 1 dash Absinthe 22.5ml lime juice 7.5ml grapefruit juice - I use Red Grapefruit 7.5ml Cinnamon syrup 1 bar spoon Grenadine - my own made Grenadine 1 dash Angostura bitters. I made it only once! Very potent! Not forgotten though, I won’t make it again. Still fighting gout. Nick from York
So I prefer the Aku Aku Zombie as well! Which I make with Flor de Cana 12, Appleton 12 and Plantation OFTD. I tweak by increasing the zombie mix (equal parts falernum, curacao, absinth and grenadine) from the original 2.5ml to 5 or 7.5ml. One of my favourites for sure
Great video as usual Steve! I won't have grapefruit syrup. But, I do have some Giffard grapefruit liqueur. Possibly swap that out for the syrup? One more idea, what about swapping the standard angostura bitters for their grapefruit bitters just to add a little nore hint of the grapefruit flavor?
Love the channel. Got to try your version! May just be the fix it needs. I myself prefer homemade syrups, but it is extra work. 😅 Have you tried fresh pink grapefruit juice as well? And maybe bump that up a notch.
I just made some grenadine, so last night decided to make a Smuggler's Cove Zombie. Mybwife and I tasted it and it was way too rum forward. I added 1.5 ounces of Don's mix and 0.25 ounce more grenadine and it was very good.
Yeah, if you can get it. Randomly, even though I have multiple local huge Tescos, multiple Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons etc. I can never get it otherwise I'd buy it and freeze it. Even Ocado don't list it! It's so bizarre.
@@StevetheBarmanUK hmm you're right, it seems to be unavailable now. I haven't bought it in a while. Waitrose usually seems to have the fresh white grapefruits in stock, at least the last time I checked.
I find Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose stock white grape fruits so really not an issue. I’m really gonna go rogue tonight & make one with a ruby grapefruit from Tesco! 😮 o the horror!
The key to a great zombie is control over the sweetness of the grenadine and having a tasty falernum. I just went to Don the Beachcomber yesterday and had a zombie. It was not very good. This company is stuck rock and hard place with this recipe. They made Tshirts and everything with the recipe. Here is how I fixed it. My Zombie: 45ml Appleton Signature 45ml Bacardi 8y 30ml Guyana 151 22.5ml Lime Juice 15ml Grapefruit juice 7.5ml Cinnamon Syrup 7.5ml Better Grenadine 7.5ml Homemade Falernum 3 dash Angostura bitters 1 dash Peycheauds My yummy lighter simpler recipe: 75ml OFTD 20ml Lime Juice 10ml Grapefruit juice 10ml Cinnamon Syrup 7.5ml Better Grenadine 3 dash Angostura bitters Better Grenadine 200ml POM wonderful Juice 300ml Brown Sugar Hibiscus, Rose, Lavendar, Lemon Grass Tea infusion (available at most grocery stores) 1 wholeOrange Peel 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
I seem to recall at some point I had Don the Beachcomber himself was mystified at how much of this cocktail they sold. He apparently didn't think it was very good either.
The 1964 Aku Aku Zombie is by far my favorite Tiki cocktail of all time. No need to fix that one I guess.
But of course I‘m looking forward to your spin on the Smuggler‘s Cove version of the original 1934 Zombie. :)
This 👌
The first time I had a Zombie and thought "this is delicious" was at a tiki bar in Boulder, CO called The Jungle. After becoming a regular there, the bartender Daniel (he's a genius and a gentleman) wrote down the recipe for me on a napkin that's posted on my fridge door with a magnet to this day:
2oz Don Q Gold
1/2oz Rum Fire
1/2oz OFTD
1/2oz Don's Mix
1/4oz Grenadine
1/2oz Falernum
1oz Lime juice
Dialing back the rum a little and upping the lime juice really makes a difference in the balance of the drink. Their blend of rums is cost effective for them (they charge $12 for this, which in Boulder is cheap for a good tiki drink) while still packing some punch. It's delicious, as close to being "crushable" as a Zombie ever could, or should, be. While it is missing the absinthe and Angostura, it still is tart, bitter, and complex.
The other delicious recipe that I've found so far is the one printed on the back of Ed Hamilton's Zombie Blend he designed with Beachbum Berry (which is a blend of Jamaican, Puerto Rican, and Demerara rums bottled at 59%):
2oz of the Beachbum Berry Zombie rum
3/4oz lime juice
1/2oz grapefruit juice
1/2oz cinnamon syrup
1/2oz Falernum
1 dash Angostura
1 dash absinthe
1 dash grenadine
This one is also very well-balanced and probably more "in the spirit" of the original. I feel like my ultimate recipe would be some merging of these two versions.
These specs don’t seem balanced to me. I add more sweetness & citrus; increase the amount of Overproof rum & remove the non Overproof rum. Here’s my recipe:
- Plantation OFTD Rum
- Hamilton Demerara 151 Rum
- BG Reynold’s Falernum Syrup
- Cinnamon Syrup
- Grenadine
- Grapefruit Juice
- Lime Juice
- Absinthe Dash/Spray
- Tiki Bitters
- Mint Garnish
Can you swap white for pink grapefruit juice in Don’s mix? So hard to get white grapefruit juice
I’m gonna be honest I never cared for any of these versions of the Zombie, find them all out of balance. Having said that the Smugglers Cove recipe for The Undead Gentleman (a twist on the Zombie) is a much more enjoyable version except I serve it not in a coupe as it says, but in a glass with ice.
That Mug is awesome!
I rather enjoy Beachbum Berry’s version from his Total Tiki app but noticed that it also includes falernum so I’m not sure if that isn’t included in the book you have. The rums I generally use is Don Q 7, Coruba, and Hamilton 151 and for me it comes out quite nice. 😁
It does have falernum in that book as well, I’m not sure why Steve excluded it
I use Cates recipe and probably add more grapefruit juice than recipe calls for, and i love it! I do use more aged rums and have access to all 151s that my heart desires.
I was never able to get a 151 Hamilton Demerara in Germany but for my personal taste a 1:1 blend of Plantation 69% and Lemon Hart Demerara Rum does the trick for me when it comes to the Demerara Rum of Don's Original receipt. So in my Don's 1934 receipt are actually four different rums.
Try Pussers 151. It’s stronger in taste than Lemon Hart 151 so you could cut it in half with OFTD.
@@XrayBluesman Thank you for the tip! If I can get my hands on a Pussers 151 I will definitely give it a tray. :)
@@XrayBluesman exactly ! In italy the same . The only alternative is pussers 151
I love the original zombie spec
Question. I don't see anywhere in the US I can get the Monin Pompllemousse Rose Syrup. Is this only in the UK here on Monin's website the only two offerings are Ruby Red Grapefruit Syrup or Monin's Rose syrup. What do you recommend?
It’s exactly the same stuff, Pampelmousse Rose is Ruby Grapefruit. Just different label UK to US.
Original zombie is meant to be a challenge not for the faint of heart, not a mass market everyday drink 😉
That said, it is still my favourite tiki drink.
The Aku Aku as others have mentioned is a much more approachable version.
The original can be made to work though, for me it works with homemade falernum, a sweeter cordial version of Don's Mix, and a funky dark Jamaican.
Having just watched to the end of the video, it looks like you reached a similar conclusion about the grapefruit and the sweetness.
Ok...I am back. The guy who asked about smoking the rums. I am working with Plantation 5 year. I have smoked the drink in variations. With wood and tobacco. The most flavor I have been able to introduce is game leaf brand dark rum aged dark leaf cigar tobacco. The taste I am missing is the cinnamon spice.
With the combination am trying to create is a rum to be consumed by the glass full, out of a wood stien. The smoke cap and cup are cedar wood. I tried I am first and the oak flavor was undesirable. To seal the cedar and add flavor the wood before use, what spiced rum would have the strongest cinnamon content? I have tried adding cinnamon stick but that adds a bitter vibe.
The reason for these steps is from my attempt to start a traveling speak easy, with all the drinks made up from a original recipes. All drinks served in a wood mug or horn. Really living up to the pirate traditions.
As a server, do you notice different flavors served out of different containers. Glass,brass,copper,aluminium, wood,horn, or bone?
Ha, I don't think I've ever...in 30 years... had a drink out of Wood, Horn or Bone. Glass vs metal though...I can only realte that to bottled Cola. It tastes better in a Bottle. But for a Cocktail... i don't think its in there long enough to make a difference. EXCEPT the temp. A metal vessel will conduct heat better meing a colder drink for longer. Dunno if that helps...
Steve where are the tiki cocktail glass from ?
What is the name of the other book? I could catch the smugglers cove title but not the other one, thanks and I really enjoy your videos. I really like Appleton 12, Zaya Gran Reserva and Diplomatico Reserva as my combination for the Zombie.
This is "Remixed" by Jeff Beachbum Berry
Tried this recipe. Previously was using the Smugglers Cove version, and I was kind of forcing myself to make it occasionally, as yeah it did not shine. Addition of the Grapefruit Syrup really made it a proper drink. I used Denizen Merchant Reserve 8, Flor de Caña 12 and Plantation O.F.T.D and it was good. A bit on the sweet side for me - Grapefruit syrup must be increasing the sweetness, so next time I did less grenadine and that fixed that (for my palette). Thx Steve big improvement!
I would use Pussers 151 instead of OFTD any day. And a funkier Jamaican like Xaymaca.
I was never happy with my Zombies until I used Hamilton Beachbum Berry's Zombie Blend Rum. I used the recipe on the bottle but upped the rum from 2oz to 3oz, to me, a zombie has to be strong :)
Steve, I couldn't agree with you more. There is not enough of a pronounced grapefruit flavor in this drink with white grapefruit. I myself, have used pink grapefruit with Appleton Signature, Bacardi 8, and the Plantation 151 and the drink is superb. We need to go back in history why white grapefruit was used, probably because it was most readily available before the Ruby Red was patented in 1929 where other pinks were produced commercially. The pink definitely adds a little more sugar. For a drink to have that high of an ABV with the 3 rums, it needs more citrus to balance out. I would think that using the Smith & Cross would add more Jamaican funk, but with the higher ABV, it might throw the entire balance off that might require 10mL pink grapefruit and 10mL cinnamon syrup.
My recipe is exactly the same except I omit the absinthe and grenadine. I also use liqueurs instead of syrups for the cinnamon and grapefruit.
Hi Steve, I have made Adelaide Steve the Bartender’s recipe from his App.
90ml Aged Rum - Appleton 8 for me
30ml OP Rum - Smith & Cross for me
1 dash Absinthe
22.5ml lime juice
7.5ml grapefruit juice - I use Red Grapefruit
7.5ml Cinnamon syrup
1 bar spoon Grenadine - my own made Grenadine
1 dash Angostura bitters.
I made it only once! Very potent! Not forgotten though, I won’t make it again.
Still fighting gout.
Nick from York
So I prefer the Aku Aku Zombie as well! Which I make with Flor de Cana 12, Appleton 12 and Plantation OFTD. I tweak by increasing the zombie mix (equal parts falernum, curacao, absinth and grenadine) from the original 2.5ml to 5 or 7.5ml. One of my favourites for sure
Great video as usual Steve!
I won't have grapefruit syrup. But, I do have some Giffard grapefruit liqueur. Possibly swap that out for the syrup? One more idea, what about swapping the standard angostura bitters for their grapefruit bitters just to add a little nore hint of the grapefruit flavor?
Few drops of Elemakule Tiki bitters works for me…and a flaming sugar cube ;)
Love the channel. Got to try your version! May just be the fix it needs.
I myself prefer homemade syrups, but it is extra work. 😅
Have you tried fresh pink grapefruit juice as well? And maybe bump that up a notch.
I like to add 1/4 ounce more grapefruit juice (white it’s sweeter), and 1/4 ounce more cinnamon syrup
I would love to try to make a few zombie variations, but I am too lazy to make any cinnamon syrup...
I just made some grenadine, so last night decided to make a Smuggler's Cove Zombie. Mybwife and I tasted it and it was way too rum forward. I added 1.5 ounces of Don's mix and 0.25 ounce more grenadine and it was very good.
Wow, what a game changer. The white grapefruit syrup really does bring it all together
Tropicana Golden Grapefruit is good in the UK as a convenient alternative to juicing fresh white grapefruits. It's a lot of juice though 😅
Yeah, if you can get it. Randomly, even though I have multiple local huge Tescos, multiple Sainsburys, Asda, Morrisons etc. I can never get it otherwise I'd buy it and freeze it. Even Ocado don't list it! It's so bizarre.
@@StevetheBarmanUK hmm you're right, it seems to be unavailable now. I haven't bought it in a while. Waitrose usually seems to have the fresh white grapefruits in stock, at least the last time I checked.
I find Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Waitrose stock white grape fruits so really not an issue. I’m really gonna go rogue tonight & make one with a ruby grapefruit from Tesco! 😮 o the horror!
Very interesting, white grapefruit syrup ordered. Cant wait to try out your recipe
I prefer my cocktails to have a stronger rum flavor. Usually I'll have to ask for a floater at most bars.
Excellent episode, STB!
The DonQ 7 and OFTD are two of my absolute favorites.
The key to a great zombie is control over the sweetness of the grenadine and having a tasty falernum. I just went to Don the Beachcomber yesterday and had a zombie. It was not very good. This company is stuck rock and hard place with this recipe. They made Tshirts and everything with the recipe.
Here is how I fixed it.
My Zombie:
45ml Appleton Signature
45ml Bacardi 8y
30ml Guyana 151
22.5ml Lime Juice
15ml Grapefruit juice
7.5ml Cinnamon Syrup
7.5ml Better Grenadine
7.5ml Homemade Falernum
3 dash Angostura bitters
1 dash Peycheauds
My yummy lighter simpler recipe:
75ml OFTD
20ml Lime Juice
10ml Grapefruit juice
10ml Cinnamon Syrup
7.5ml Better Grenadine
3 dash Angostura bitters
Better Grenadine
200ml POM wonderful Juice
300ml Brown Sugar
Hibiscus, Rose, Lavendar, Lemon Grass Tea infusion (available at most grocery stores)
1 wholeOrange Peel
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
I really like pineapple in zombies, though I agree any more than minimal fruit juice ruins any cocktail. Perhaps there’s a balance somewhere. 🤷🏻♂️
THANK YOU! I was ready to give up on it and just make Jet Pilots
I seem to recall at some point I had Don the Beachcomber himself was mystified at how much of this cocktail they sold. He apparently didn't think it was very good either.
You should do that cocktail but sub Cachaca. Cachaca already has a lot of funky Banana notes so it’s a perfect match.