Creepy Cocktails – Classic Zombie Cocktail Recipe

Now this classic zombie recipe is a cocktail that’s simple enough for you to easily prep for your Halloween party! Not too creepy, and not too sweet!

a hand holding a zombie glass with garnishes

It doesn’t have to be Halloween to whip up a classic zombie cocktail recipe, but it does make for an easy, creepy Halloween recipe…

If we could sum up this tiki cocktail in one phrase, it would be “not too creepy, not too sweet”.

This classic zombie recipe is perfect for those of you looking for something slightly daring for your Halloween party, but aren’t necessarily going crazy with the dry ice over your bar setup the entire night.

Though we think we can speak for both Robin and I when we say that we’d give you serious kudos if you did!

We feel that we should warn you that this cocktail is not for the faint of heart when it comes to a tolerance level, it definitely packs a punch!

Creepy cocktails: The classic zombie - sugar and cloth

What is a Zombie Cocktail?

This tropical drink is a classic cocktail in the tiki culture.

It’s made from fruit juices, liqueurs, and various rums.

The original zombie drink was made famous by Donn Beach. 

He served this heavy-handed cocktail at his restaurant, Hollywood Don the Beachcomber.

It became wildly popular in 1939 after making waves at New York World’s Fair. 

They even make a tall glass just for this tiki classic, called a “zombie glass“!

Creepy cocktails: The classic zombie - sugar and cloth

Ingredients for a Tiki Zombie Cocktail Recipe

There are several variations on the classic zombie cocktail recipe.

You can’t go wrong with any of them. But there are definitely certain ingredients that help make our recipe memorable!

These are our tried and true zombie drink ingredients:

Gold rum

Aged Jamaican rum

Overproof 151 dark rum

Fresh lime juice

Fresh grapefruit juice

Cinnamon syrup

Falernum liqueur

Grenadine or pomegranate syrup

Angostura bitters

Absinthe

Optional: Fresh mint — For garnishing 

You can also customize this ingredient list by using other fruit juices like orange juice or pineapple juice. 

Or you can try our Esmeralda Fizz Cocktail if you want another taste of concentrated bitterness to your cocktail.

Creepy cocktails: The classic zombie - sugar and cloth

How to Make a Classic Zombie Tiki Drink

The classic zombie cocktail is served over ice, but you can also make it even more refreshing by blending it over ice!

To make the classic version:

1 — Simply mix all of the ingredients together, add ice, and shake. 

2 — Then, pour the cocktail into a tall zombie glass filled with ice and garnish with cinnamon sticks, mint sprig, and a cherry.

Creepy cocktails: The classic zombie - sugar and cloth

For a blended zombie cocktail:

1 — Measure the ingredients, and combine them in a blender with 6 ounces of crushed ice.

2 — Blend for 3-5 seconds until slushy. Pour into a Zombie glass and add more crushed ice to fill, if necessary.

3 — Then, garnish your tiki cocktail with fresh mint, cinnamon sticks, and a cherry.

Creepy cocktails: The classic zombie - sugar and cloth

If you’re a Jeff Beachbum Berry fan, you’re probably familiar with a few other classic tiki drinks like our Shrunken Skull Halloween punch recipe too!

And a big thanks to Robin again for being our go-to cocktail connoisseur for this Zombie Cocktail recipe!

 

long photo with a graphic of a zombie cocktail

close up photo of a zombie cocktail over ice

Zombie Tiki Cocktail Recipe

Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes
This Zombie Cocktail is a tiki culture favorite, and it packs a heavy punch too!
Total Time5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine Cocktails

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz gold rum
  • 1.5 oz aged Jamaican rum
  • 1 oz overproof 151 dark rum
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
  • 1/4 oz cinnamon syrup
  • 1/2 oz falernum liqueur
  • 1 tsp grenadine
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 bar spoon absinthe
  • Fresh mint and cinnamon sticks optional for garnishing

Nutrition

Calories: 231358kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 1009mg | Potassium: 2056mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 12IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 40mg
Servings: 1
Calories: 231358kcal

Instructions

To make a classic Zombie Cocktail over ice:

  • Mix all of the ingredients together in cocktail shaker, add ice and shake. 
  • Pour the cocktail in a tall Zombie glass filled with ice.
  • Garnish with cinnamon sticks, mint sprig and a cherry.

To make a Zombie Cocktail over blended iceL

  • Measure the ingredients and combine them in a blender with 6 ounces of crushed ice. Blend for 3-5 seconds until in a slushy form.
  • Pour into a tall Zombie glass and add more crushed ice to fill (if necessary).
  • Garnish your tiki cocktail with fresh mint, cinnamon sticks and a cherry.
KEYWORD: zombie cocktail

 

Don’t forget to share your zombie cocktail with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We love seeing all of your creations! And if you’re looking for more quick and delicious recipes, you can find them all right here with a few bites to go along!

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

7 thoughts on “Creepy Cocktails – Classic Zombie Cocktail Recipe”

  1. What a combination of flavors! I don’t have too many of these ingredients, but I’ll have to figure something out because this sounds too good to pass up!

    Reply

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