Zombie Rum Cocktail

Name: Zombie Rum Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 oz Passion Fruit Juice; 1 oz Plum or Apricot Juice; 1 Juice of a Lime; 1 tsp Powdered Sugar; 1 dash Bitters; 1 medium-small Juice of Orange; 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Anisette; 2 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum; 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy; 2/3 oz Demerara Rum, 151 proof; 1 oz Jamaica Rum; 1 oz Porto Rican Gold Label Rum

The Zombie is a potent tropical rum cocktail combining passion fruit and plum juices with three types of rum for depth and heat. Its layered spirit blend and fresh citrus profile make it a classic tiki-era favorite.

🏷️Equipment: zombie glass

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Medium

Est. Cost

$23–$38

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Mr. Boston Drinks · by Old Mr. Boston De Luxe Official Bartender's Guide

Ingredients

1 oz Passion Fruit Juice
1 oz Plum or Apricot Juice

1 Juice of a Lime

1 tsp Powdered Sugar

1 dash Bitters

1 medium-small Juice of Orange

1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Anisette

2 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum

1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy

2/3 oz Demerara Rum, 151 proof

1 oz Jamaica Rum

1 oz Porto Rican Gold Label Rum

12 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Drop Lime skin in
2
Add cracked ice and agitate for full minute in electric mixing machine (if none available, shake very well in cocktail shaker), and strain into 14 oz frosted zombie glass.
3
Decorate with 1/4" square of pineapple and 1 green and 1 red cherry, also sprig of fresh mint dipped in powdered sugar.
4
Serve with straws.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use fresh lime and orange juice, not bottled, for brightness and balance against the high alcohol content.
Chill your glass with ice water before serving to keep the drink cold longer given the quantity of spirits.
Shake all ingredients including the 151-proof rum together—do not layer—to ensure proper emulsification and temperature.
Taste for sweetness after adding bitters; adjust powdered sugar in 1/4 tsp increments if your juices vary in acidity.

Substitutions

Passion Fruit Juice → Fresh pineapple or guava juice (shifts flavor profile but maintains tropical character)
Old Mr. Boston Anisette → Pernod or Pastis (1:1 ratio, anise flavor remains similar)
151-Proof Demerara Rum → Standard Demerara or dark rum (reduces proof and spice; use 2/3 oz)
Apricot Flavored Brandy → Peach schnapps (lighter body; reduce by 1/4 oz to avoid cloying sweetness)

Storage & make-ahead

Best served fresh immediately after mixing. Do not store pre-batched cocktails; the high proof spirits and fresh citrus degrade flavor within hours.

Equipment

cocktail shaker · jigger · bar strainer · citrus juicer

Common Questions

Can I make a Zombie cocktail without 151-proof rum?

Yes. Substitute the 2/3 oz of 151-proof Demerara rum with an equal amount of standard (80-proof) Demerara or dark rum, though the drink will be less potent and lack the signature burn.