Ingredients
* 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
* 3/4 ounce all-natural grapefruit juice
* 3/4 ounce passion fruit syrup
* 1/2 ounce guava syrup ***
* 2 dashes Angostura bitters
* 2 dashes orange bitters
* 4-6 drops absinthe (or Pernod/Herbsaint)
* 1 teaspoon allspice dram (aka pimento liqueur)
* 3/4 ounce lightly-aged, blended rum (such as Plantation 3 Stars)
* 1 ounce aged Barbados rum (such as The Real McCoy)
* 1/2 ounce unaged overproof Jamaican rum (such as Wray & Nephew)
* 3/4 ounce 151 proof Demerara rum (such as Hamilton)
Directions
1
Shake as hard as hell with a cup or more of crushed ice for up to 20 seconds. Pour unstrained into a Zombie glass, Enchanted Tiki Trail Mug, or other appropriate vessel. Top with more ice and freshly grated nutmeg.
Notes
*** = Guava Reàl or homemade syrup preferred. Alternative: 1/2 ounce guava nectar, 1/2 ounce rich simple (or Demerara) syrup. Reduce passion fruit syrup to 1/2 ounce.
* Fresh-squeezed lime juice and all-natural grapefruit juice are essential. White grapefruit is more traditional and recommended, but fresh red grapefruit is OK in a pinch. If you have to buy a bottled version, that’s perfectly fine.
* While homemade syrups are preferred, bottled versions are totally acceptable. Both the passion fruit and guava puree from Reàl Syrups are not only cost effective and easy to use, but just as tasty as any similar product on the market. They’re also easy to find on Amazon. The fact that they’re endorsed by such industry luminaries as Beachbum Berry and Ian Burrell makes it an easy choice.
* While the Hamilton and St. Elizabeth brands of allspice dram have slightly different flavor profiles, we’re happy with both in this drink so use whichever you have on hand. The same goes for the orange bitters and anise liqueur. If you don’t have absinthe, just reach for Pernod or Herbsaint. But be careful to go easy and use an eyedropper to dose the drink carefully so these flavors remain subtle.
* The suggested rum brands are all favorites of the Tiki Trail, but you can swap out a few as long as these specific styles are followed. We feel that this combination forms a unique rum profile, strong but not overpowering even at 3 ounces. Among other favorite lightly-aged, blended (white) rums are Hamilton White Stache, Probitas and Denizen. Even more vast are the excellent aged Barbados rums, including most of the Doorly’s and Mount Gay portfolios. Wray & Nephew is the most ubiquitous unaged (white) overproof rum from Jamaica, but several others (Rum-Bar, Rum Fire) are nearly interchangeable. All are 126 proof. The 151 proof Demerara options are fewer, but Lemon Hart has long been the alternative for folks unable to acquire the Hamilton rum from Guyana.
* Whatever you do, don’t forget the freshly grated nutmeg. It’s worth the small investment. The spice adds a nice aromatic and actually accentuates all the flavors as you enjoy the drink. Much like a classic Planters Punch, the inspiration for the original Zombie.
Okole maluna!