What does a Zombie taste like?
A Zombie tastes like a boozy tropical fruit punch: lime, grapefruit and cinnamon spice over a deep pile of rums, sweet and easy until the strength sneaks up on you.
Zombie
spiced tiki punch, very boozy
The Zombie is a classic tiki drink built on several rums at once, often including an overproof one, plus lime, grapefruit, cinnamon syrup, falernum (a spiced lime and clove syrup), grenadine and a few drops of absinthe. It tastes like spiced fruit punch: tart citrus, warm cinnamon and clove, dark rum richness and a faint anise lift. The juice hides a serious amount of alcohol, which is why some bars limit you to two. Recipes vary a lot from bar to bar, but the spice and the strength are constant.
Where you’ll see it
On tiki bar menus, served tall over crushed ice in a Zombie glass or tiki mug, often with mint and sometimes a flaming garnish. Many menus list a per-person limit.
Order it if you want the full tiki experience and you're not driving.
Quick questions
- How strong is a Zombie?
- Very. Classic recipes use three or more rums, sometimes including 151-proof, so one Zombie can hold more alcohol than two regular cocktails.
- What does falernum taste like?
- Falernum is a Caribbean syrup or liqueur of lime, ginger, clove and almond. It adds a spiced, slightly nutty sweetness to tiki drinks.