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 Unsweetened Pineapple Juice; 1 Juice of a Lime; 1 Juice of Orange; 1 tsp Powdered Sugar; 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy; 2 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum; 1 oz Jamaica Rum

The Zombie is a potent classic tiki cocktail combining passion fruit and pineapple juices with apricot brandy and aged rum, known for its complex tropical flavor and deceptively strong kick.

🏷️Equipment: zombie glass

Total

5 min

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$17–$28

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 Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
1 Juice of a Lime

1 Juice of Orange

1 tsp Powdered Sugar

1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Apricot Flavored Brandy

2 1/2 oz Old Mr. Boston Imported Rum

1 oz Jamaica Rum

8 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
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.
2
frosted zombie glass.
3
Decorate with square of pineapple and 1 green and 1 red cherry.
4
Carefully float 1/2 oz.
5
151 proof Demerara Rum and then top with sprig of fresh Mint dipped in powdered sugar.
6
Serve with straws.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Use fresh-squeezed lime and orange juice rather than bottled for brightness and balance against the sweetness of passion fruit juice and powdered sugar.
Shake ingredients hard with plenty of ice for 10-15 seconds to properly chill and dilute; under-shaking results in a warm, overly sweet drink.
Chill your glass beforehand to keep the cocktail cold longer and improve mouthfeel.
Taste before serving: if too sweet, add a splash more lime juice; if too tart, adjust powdered sugar by 1/4 tsp.

Substitutions

Old Mr. Boston Apricot Brandy → apricot liqueur or peach schnapps (adjust sweetness to taste)
Passion Fruit Juice → mango juice or guava juice (note: shifts flavor profile slightly)
Jamaica Rum → overproof dark rum like Lemon Hart (note: increases alcohol intensity)

Storage & make-ahead

Best enjoyed fresh immediately after preparation. Pre-batch the juice mixture (without rum) and refrigerate up to 4 hours; add spirits and shake when serving.

Equipment

cocktail shaker · jigger · bar spoon · strainer

Common Questions

What makes the Zombie cocktail different from other rum drinks?

The Zombie uses a combination of light and dark aged rums with apricot brandy and fresh citrus-tropical juice blend, creating a layered, complex flavor that's sweeter and more nuanced than standard rum cocktails.

Can I use different types of rum?

Yes, but the balance matters. The recipe calls for light imported rum and Jamaica rum for depth; substituting all light rum will lose complexity, while all dark rum may overpower the fruit flavors.