Check out this classic Zombie Cocktail recipe! It's the ideal drink for the summer, with a blend of rums, fruit juices, and a hint of sweetness.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 2 minutes minutes
- 1 oz Light Rum
- 1 oz Dark Rum
- 1 oz apricot Brandy
- 2 oz orange juice
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- ½ oz lime juice - freshly squeezed
- 1 tsp grenadine
- 1 tsp superfine sugar
- 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters
- Ice cubes
- Pineapple slice and cherry - for garnish, optional
Chill glass: Stir some ice cubes in your highball glass to chill.
Mix Ingredients: Pour 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters, 1 tsp superfine sugar, 1 tsp grenadine, ½ oz lime juice, 1 oz pineapple juice, 2 oz orange juice, 1 oz apricot Brandy, 1 oz Dark Rum, and 1 oz Light Rum into the shaker.
Prep Shaker: Fill your shaker half full with ice cubes.
Shake Well: Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
Serve: Strain the mixture into the tall glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry, if desired.
Substitutes:
- Light Rum: If I run out of light rum, white rum or gold rum can easily take its place. They provide a clean, crisp flavor that mixes well with the other ingredients.
- Dark Rum: Sometimes, I use spiced rum for an added depth of flavor. It provides a nice, warm undertone with its spices.
- Apricot Brandy: Peach brandy is a favorite when I can't find apricot. It's fruity and pairs well with the tropical theme.
- Grenadine: If you're out, pomegranate juice with a touch of sugar works wonders.
Making a Pitcher of Zombie Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. For instance, you'll need 8 oz of light rum, 8 oz of dark rum, and so on.
- Mix: Combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well.
- Serve: Pour into individual ice-filled tall glasses, garnish, and enjoy immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Rum Substitute: I recommend using non-alcoholic versions of rum available in the market. They capture the essence without the alcohol.
- Apricot Brandy Substitute: Opt for apricot nectar or juice, providing that apricot flavor.
- Follow the Original Steps: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes and follow the steps to enjoy a non-alcoholic Zombie.
Making it Vegan:
The Zombie cocktail, as listed, is vegan-friendly since it doesn't contain any animal-derived products. However, always double-check your rum brands and other ingredients to ensure they don't have animal byproducts or were processed using animal-derived agents.