Here at The Aerie this week, we had an even more lackluster showing of trick-or-treaters than usual — five kids. Five. That’s it. I don’t know what’s with kids these days not wanting to climb a 600 foot hill and walk to the end of our dark cul-de-sac. Sheesh.
Regardless, this past week I was talking cocktails with Roomie and he said he never had a Zombie cocktail. And upon further review, I realized I hadn’t either. Clearly, the challenge was on.
Now, the Zombie is one of those multi-ingredient cocktails like a Singapore Sling or a Mai-Tai for which you can probably find a kazillion different recipes. I’m going to start from the recipe in Hellmich’s book and put in a few variations
- 1 oz light rum
- 1 oz gold rum
- 1 oz dark rum
- ½ oz apricot brandy (I actually used apple brandy)
- 1 oz creme de banana
- 1 oz pineapple juice
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz lime juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- ¼ oz grenadine
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- dash of bitters
- ½ oz rum floater (recipe calls for 151, but I didn’t have any so I substituted The Kraken)
Shake everything (except the floater) with ice and into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Lay on floater. Garnish with orange and lime wheels and a cherry.
Zombie
I have to say that it’s pretty darn good — though a bit lime-y. I think the limes from our tree our pretty potent, so I might cut that back to a half-ounce.
Stevil 
Looks delish, and colorful. What fabulous skulls too!
Our Halloween was packed this year. It poured for several hours, then when there was a pause all the trick or treaters came out. 200. Good thing we bought candy!
Amelie — it certainly packs a punch, I can tell you that! :)
I had a Zombie several years ago at some tiki-themed bar in San Francisco. It was okay, but I suspect it didn’t contain all the ingredients that’s in your recipe. The flavor wasn’t complex at all. I told my curious drinking companions that it must be called a Zombie because its main purpose was to turn you into the Walking Dead. (I switched to Arnold Palmers afterwards. I didn’t dare order a second Zombie.)
Yeah, what’s with kids nowadays? I went trick-or-treating in a snowstorm, dressed as an angel with an old cotton nightgown and sandals on my feet. Oh wait. That was my younger daughter. In Minnesota. Yeah, she was a very determined celebrant of Halloween. Still is today.
HG — I found about five or six different versions of this drink and I think it would be really easy to throw a rum and fruit juice concoction together and call it a Zombie. I can guarantee that I didn’t have a second one!
We used to get a few more trick-or-treaters, but the kids that were kids when we moved in are now teens and we haven’t had that much turn-over in the neighborhood. Good thing I coincidentally bought candy I like… :)
The first three ingredients hooked me solid. Sigh.
My kid wanted to dress up for Halloween, but she’d have spooked everyone out, considering none of my neighbours have even heard of it. And I was seriously tempted to carve a pumpkin. However, since I was busy with Diwali preparations, I didn’t pursue it. Perhaps I will next Halloween.
LG — I’ll have yours ready next time you’re here. Coming back from the dog-walk yesterday I saw a neighbor decorating her house for Diwali. I said, “Hey, Happy Diwali!” — she looked very surprised that I knew what she was doing! :)
World being global village and all !
PS: Given the running joke that you need an Indian visa to enter California (and NJ), I am surprised that she was surprised that you knew.
Hah! I’d never heard that joke before, but now I’m going to have to use it! :)
Looks absolutely delicious. My parents used to imbibe “Singapore Slings” and I remember a few mornings, after late nights at the racetrack, when they’d laugh about feeling “slung.” This post took me right back there, thank you :o)
It was pouring here in MI so we had about 15 kids instead of the usual 60. Good for them though, I told them all to take a handful – and they did, rather happily!
Happy Fall!!
MJ
MJ – I can say without a doubt that it was delicious. At least the part that I remember. :)
We like a good Singapore Sling around here too — and in some ways this version of the Zombie is a cross between a Sling and a Mai-tai. It won’t be my last! :)
We had four kids. One was 4 months old dressed as a ladybug. Very cute.
We ate the rest of the candy and now I feel like a Zombie. *grin*
BD — as always, it’s key to buy candy that you like. Ours should be gone right in time for Thanksgiving Pie time… :)
I’m leery of kazillion ingredient drinks BUT I *love* limes. It’s one of my faves (no doubt that mojitos are, too).
Lily — complicated drinks are easy to screw up, but good ingredients are always a plus. I’m not sure this a perfected Zombie, but I’m on the job… :)
Roomie will definitely be expecting one weekend during practice turkey! So that’s Tamarind Margaritas on Friday, Sparkling Wine on Saturday and Zombies on Sunday!
Pretty good line-up!
Yay, I can have something like this now!
Stop on by for one! :D