Tiki Central / Tiki Drinks and Food
Zombie Recipe
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thejab
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Fri, Jul 7, 2006 10:39 AM
I love the Zombies at 3 bars, in no particular order:
As far as recipes go, my favorite is a tie between the one in Intoxica (and also in Dr. Cocktail's book) and the one in the Don the Beachcomber book "Hawaii, Tropical Rum Drinks and Cuisine" (as posted earlier by Al). |
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bigtikidude
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Fri, Jul 7, 2006 6:52 PM
Thank you sir, |
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MrBaliHai
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Sat, Jul 8, 2006 10:45 AM
Here's something you Zombie fans might be interested in. I picked up this souvenir photograph at a local antique emporium this morning. According to ancient Zombie history, it first acheived mass popularity at the New York 1939 World's Fair. Well, here's a snazzily dressed couple hoisting said libation at the fair!
The name on the front cover refers to legendary Broadway producer, owner of the Copacabana nightclub, and several Beachcomber restaurants, Monte Proser. If you wish, you may view the full-size scans here and here.
[ Edited by: MrBaliHai 2006-07-08 10:45 ] |
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MrBaliHai
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Mon, Jul 10, 2006 4:44 PM
Wow. Do I know how to stop a thread dead in its tracks, or what? |
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Quince_at_Dannys
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Mon, Jul 10, 2006 6:04 PM
You're almost as good at it as I am. I guess the nice thing is we always get the last word :) |
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Rattiki
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Tue, Sep 12, 2006 8:16 AM
NOT SO FAST! :wink: :lol: :wink: Looking though all of these recipes I keep seeing a common, yet obviously complex theme, at least with the post 'Lodge of Amiable Amateur Mixers', Don the Beachcomber versions. Basically it seems to boil down to this set of flavors: Zing-Ping-Tang! (lime, pineapple, grapefruit juice), Exotic Spice (Falernum and/or spiced rum and even sometimes orgeat....or Herbsaint?), Lots o'rum (aged/gold, dark-demerara and maybe some 151/over proofed rum-for the fear factor), Liquorice buzz (Pernod, Absinthe Pernod), Bitter bite (Absinthe Pernod & Angostura bitters or applejack to try and replace the Absinthe), AND smooth sweet fruits (apricot, mango, papaya, cherry, even passionfruit) I think it's a kind of a balancing act which is classic in many Chinese dishes (I guess it's the 'chef by trade' in me that sees this? :roll:), sweet&sour-ying&yang..... :D So here is my easily do-able version that covers all the bases: 2 oz pineapple juice Blend with a moderate amount of ice and serve in a tall glass/Tiki mug (my favorite is the Drei Moai) garnished with a skewered lime, cherry and pineapple. Of course a splash of 151 on top wouldn't hurt or IF you happen to have a Czech friend you could try and get some Absinthe and find out why it REALLY was called a ZOMBIE! :o :lol: :evil: :lol: :tiki: [ Edited by: rattiki 2006-09-13 05:53 ] |
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Cammo
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Tue, Sep 12, 2006 11:23 AM
Here's another recipe, just fer fun, this is from one of the strangest drink guides I've ever seen, the nefarious "Here's How" by W.C. Whitfield, published in a wooden-cover book by Three Mountaineers at Asheville, NC., 1941. YEEEE HAW! I like this because it substitutes accuracy for kick; 3/4 oz heavy-bodied rum (96 proof) |
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thinkingbartender
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Tue, Sep 12, 2006 5:39 PM
Did no-one sort out who created the Zombie then? being as Patrick Gavin Duffy wrote it up first in 1934? Is there any final verdict? Cheers! George S. g.sinclair[at]yahoo.co.uk |
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foamy
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Sun, Dec 10, 2006 5:41 AM
Made my first Zombie last night. Recipe from "The Official Mixer's Manual" by Patrick Gavin Duffy (found at a antique/collectibles store), Unga Bunga has it posted on p.2 of this thread. Tasted exactly like the ones I remembered from the Vietnamese restaurant when I was 18. How do I remember that? I have no idea, it's the first time I've had that (type of) experience, but I do know it was the same. A worthy recipe (IMO) and an excellent cocktail. Alcohol used: I'm still scouting for Passion fruit syrup. I have to try the Dr. Cocktail version yet. |
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Limbo Lizard
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Tue, Jan 9, 2007 10:12 PM
Alas, I can't resist throwing in one more formula. My best friend and I went through a lot of Zombie recipes back... gosh, going on 30 years ago! (pre-Grog Log. TV's Bartender's Guide was our cocktail Bible, back then.) We really liked the taste of a good, strong rum drink, as in a proper Mai Tai. Most of the recipes we found for Zombies tended to overpower the rum with lots of sicky-sweet grenadine (gak!), over-fruitiness and gratuitous complexity. Finally I found one in Grossman's Guide (of all places) that, with a few tweaks, really sung our tune. ZOMBIE [ Edited by: Limbo Lizard 2007-01-15 12:05 ] |
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Unga Bunga
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Wed, Jul 25, 2007 11:01 PM
So.. what's the verdict? |
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Thunderlips
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Thu, Aug 16, 2007 6:31 PM
Just made the original 1934 ZOMBIE (PUNCH) as found on Pg.121 of "It's off the heezy fo' sheezy!" Nothing like the syrupy sweet liquid candy that these joints are pushing today but a real I have been transported to another place: the kitchen floor. Long live Beachbum Berry! And while we're at it: Long live Halle Berry! (BTW, I used Starbucks cinnamon syrup and store brand grapefruit juice to make "Don's Mix" and having forgotten to pick up fresh limes, ReaLime, and the damn drink still slays, so there ya go.) |
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arriano
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Tue, Aug 21, 2007 10:37 AM
I did a side by side list of ingredients for the 1937 Zombie Punch, 1950 Spievak BBQ manual Zombie, 1956 DtB Zombie and 2001 Zombie from Beach's widow's book. Yes, I'm that bored. While Spievak's drink may be good, it appears to be pretty far off ingredients wise. Surprisingly, Phoebe Beach's book recipe is pretty close to the 1956 recipe. Where it goes wrong is adding 2 ounces too much rum and omitting the pineapple juice. |
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bb moondog
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Tue, Aug 21, 2007 10:55 AM
after attending the Drinkee Symposium(ee) at the Oasis last Sat.--am absolutely convinced that Beachbum Berrys Zombie with the cinnamon syrup assist is the BEST Zombie ever--email him for recipe' |
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Rum Balls
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Wed, Aug 22, 2007 8:07 AM
The recipe (and how to make the cinammon syrup) are in Sippin' Safari. |
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Swanky
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Wed, Aug 22, 2007 8:19 AM
I've said it elsewhere, but I'll say it again in this thread. I have always loved the Mai Kai Zombie and urged everyone to try it. It is really different from the other Zombies out there. Then, I had the 1934 recipe from Sippin Safari and 'ding ding ding'! It's very much like the Mai Kai recipe! Turns out there's is the original, not a far off variation. Everyone else was way off the mark! |
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arnold_watson
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Thu, Aug 23, 2007 12:29 AM
Hi! Please tell me a book for authentic Zombie drink recipe?.. Kevin [ Edited by: arnold_watson 2007-08-23 00:31 ] |
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Swanky
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Thu, Aug 23, 2007 6:15 AM
Go to http://www.swankpad.org/blather and click on the SHOP button up top. You'll find a link to Sippin Safari there and all answers are inside. |
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defaultet
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Sun, May 4, 2008 9:48 AM
Last night I tried the Don The Beachcomber Zombie recipe found on pg. 33 of Intoxica! Um, that's a hell of a lot of citrus! I don't think I've had a zombie before with a full ounce of lemon AND lime juice, in addition to pineapple juice. I thought it turned out really good, actually, but I did not have passion fruit syrup (used Grenadine instead). Do you think that might have fucked the recipe? Also, did not really have crushed ice, so that might have a difference as well. Otherwise, good result. It's a lot of work to juice all the fruit and what not. I might do it for special occasions but I think I'll cheat a little and buy some juice from the grocery store. I saw some kind of high-end lime juice that looked good. Anyway, here's the recipe: 1 oz. unsweetened pineapple juice Dissolve sugar in lemon juice. Shake everything well with crushed ice and pour into Collins glass. Garnish with mint spring (did not get the mint sprig) |
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Jason Wickedly
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Sun, May 4, 2008 12:33 PM
I think you would like it a whole lot better with the passion fruit syrup. I use the Finest Call Passion Fruit Puree, it's pretty tasty and it actually has real passion fruit in it. (unlike the current Trader Vic's version). I made the 1934 Zombie Punch the other night, but I really think I screwed it up by adding too much Herbsaint. That stuff is really powerful! It made the whole thing taste like a Good and Plenty candy. Oh yeah...never cheat with lime juice. I've learned that the hard way! |
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defaultet
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Sun, May 4, 2008 10:56 PM
Thanks for the tips! I'll have to look for that passion fruit syrup you mentioned. Actually, I realized today that I have a passion fruit liqueur that I bought in St. Maarten. It's 30% alcohol. Since 30% alcohol will be replacing syrup, I was thinking of reducing the 151 to a 1/2 oz. and changing the gold rum 1 1/2 ounces. I think it will still be more alcoholic but oh well. Does Trader Joe's have a good selection of stuff that can be used in drinks, like passion fruit syrup, etc? |
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gonegoannas
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Mon, May 5, 2008 7:36 AM
I don't think you can get away with replacing passion fruit syrup with a passion fruit liquor, it will not taste the same. The Trader Joes by me only has Torni syrup which I have never used. Larger liquor stores tend to sell Finest Call mixers and as previous stated there Passion Fruit "puree" is very good. Also, since you are in California Bevmo does carry it as well. Good Luck. Jeff |
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The Ragin' Rarotongan
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Mon, May 5, 2008 11:26 AM
I used to use the Trader Vic's passion syrup until they changed the recipe and put in plastic bottles....yuk!! Now I use Monin, as I was told that it is one of the last to still use real passion fruit. I have also heard good things about Torani as well. I haven't tried the finest call that everyone is raving about. I do however agree with Beachbum Berry from Sippin Safari that the Monin brand passion fruit is a little orangey tasting, but not much more than the Trader Vic's was. I found a way to remedy that by adding in the Tropical Fruit syrup also made by Monin...and to me this is what I imagine Fassionola to have tasted like. These 2 syrups combined in the Don the Beachcomber's Zombie in Intoxica make a far superior drink than the old Trader Vic's Passion Fruit Syrup ever did... IMHO. |
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Jason Wickedly
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Mon, May 5, 2008 3:47 PM
The main problem with the 1934 Zombie is that it's a hell of a lot of work for one drink! To make one single drink I had to dirty my lime squeezer, 2 shot glasses (one to make Don's Mix in), the blender, the ice crusher, and the measuring spoon set. Never mind the fact that the night before I had to wait two hours for my cinnamon syrup to set! But, my second attempt was much better than the first. Now I need to score some Maraschino liqueur to make the 1956 Zombie as well. |
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bewarethe151
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Tue, May 6, 2008 9:29 AM
True! But, when I mix these up for friends and family, I have an audience which is mesmerized with the build of the drink. Afterward, when they drink a Zombie, there is a hushed awe and reverence, and smiles. So, its compexity is both its blessing and its curse. [ Edited by: bewarethe151 2008-05-06 12:23 ] |
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GentleHangman
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Wed, May 7, 2008 6:35 PM
I did not find the Zombie Punch (1934) complicated to mix at all. However, I did substitute the following: Appleton Extra for the V/X As for the Don's Mix, I just pour 3oz of grapefruit juice and 1.5 pz of cinnamon-infused syrup in a small plastic pourable jar and shake it up to blend - enough for 8+ Zombies. The results: A truly Amazing drink with the rum blends taking the lead accented by the other ingredients - ultimately creating a very potent yet harmonious drink. And yes . . . only TWO to a customer! I bet you feel more like you do now now than you did when you came in. GH [ Edited by: GentleHangman 2008-05-08 07:13 ] |
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Registered Astronaut
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Thu, May 8, 2008 7:18 PM
I don't know why nobody's using the Passion fruit syrup from Taiwan. While maybe not the easiest thing to find, it's worth the work, and there's pictures of it on many a thread, though the label seems to change from shipment to shipment. Sometimes its a syrup, sometimes they call it "Passion drink" but it's all the same. Square bottle with a red cap. Best tasting passion fruit syrup I've ever tasted and no HFC. Just passion fruit sugar and preservatives. Go to china town and find it when you have a free sunday. [ Edited by: Registered Astronaut 2008-05-08 19:18 ] |
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pappythesailor
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Fri, May 9, 2008 9:18 AM
Am I the only one who's still not convinced about the 1934 Zombie? Specifically, Bum never questions whether 'Don's Mix' is the same as 'New Don's Mix'. I mean The Bum maintains it's plausible that the Zombie Punch evolved into the Spievak Zombie. Then why wouldn't New Don's Mix be as different from Don's Mix as the "old" and "new" Zombies? It's a great recipe and Jeff Berry deserves all the credit in the world but I still think this might not be THE Zombie. |
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Bongo Bungalow
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Fri, May 9, 2008 9:59 AM
Well, I'm in the process of putting together the 1934 recipe for a tasting, and I'm thinkin', "This is a significant recipe." Now, the one-and-only first time Donn made this drink, was this the exact recipe? Maybe, maybe not. The second time Donn made this drink, was this the recipe? Who knows. The Bum says I'm gonna love this drink and this recipe has some place in history, so that's good enough for me. |
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snackbar
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Fri, May 9, 2008 10:06 AM
I think the Spievak Zombie is fake, I don't think that Don would really give his recipe to Spievak. |
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Thunderlips
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Fri, May 9, 2008 5:20 PM
Pappy, you're a troublemaker! |
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Jason Wickedly
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Fri, May 9, 2008 8:49 PM
You know, I hate to say it but I was thinking the same thing about the Don's Mix. If cinnamon syrup was #4, what was #2? And was cinnamon syrup the only ingredient in Spices #4? Can anyone tell I'm drinking a '34 Zombie right now? Whatever, it's still a hell of a drink and a major improvement over the Spievak. |
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Bongo Bungalow
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Sat, May 10, 2008 11:55 AM
Tried the 1934 recipe last night, loved it, but it's tricky. As with many of these, you've got to be exact or the balance is off. I mean, it goes without saying, right? And of course with the rum-and-three-fruit-juices type of drinks there is no balance at all to mess up. I'll be making the 1934 recipe for a group of business friends on Wednesday afternoon. It should be a good time. (Oh, and I used Lucid Absinthe, 3 drops.) |
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Bongo Bungalow
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Sat, May 17, 2008 7:18 PM
Research, research, research! Still fine tuning a modern version of the 1934 recipe, here's what I've got: -3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
Note that as a Lipidor user I've left out he grapefruit juice that would go with the cinn/sugar. And until I get to Illinois I can't find any demerara 151 rum. Tastes pretty good to me! |
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defaultet
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Sun, May 18, 2008 10:32 PM
Regarding my attempts at making the Don the Beachcomber Zombie (p. 33 of Intoxica)... I tried it again with Trader Vic's passion fruit syrup. More or less the same result but tasted better than Grenadine. Tried it also with a passion fruit liquor (30% alcohol). I halved the amount of 151 because of this. And then I added a little guavaberry liquor (30% alcohol) for color. This I thought tasted better. I don't know, I think this particular recipe in general just has too much overpowering citrus. I've had other zombies that just plain taste better, the ones that use orange juice or orange curacao. |
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Jason Wickedly
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Mon, May 19, 2008 8:57 AM
About the grenadine...I've been using the Stirrings brand because it has real pomegranate and all that, but I don't think it has as much red dye. As a result, my drink turns out an orangish-brown color, not the red color that the "Zombiefied" Jeff Berry is holding on page 120 of "Sippin' Safari". Should I use Rose's Grenadine to try to duplicate that color? Or any other suggestions? [ Edited by: Jason Wickedly 2008-05-19 08:58 ] |
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bewarethe151
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Mon, May 19, 2008 10:37 AM
Jason, I, too, noticed the same color variation. Most of the time, I am mixing these up and drinking them, one after another(usually more than 2), in an unlit closet adjacent to my den so the color is unimportant. But, when I serve for friends, I like them to have more appeal. I put a drop of red food dye, organic, of course, into each drink. It does the trick. I feel this is better than compromising the taste by using a lesser grenadine. |
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GatorRob
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Mon, May 19, 2008 12:45 PM
Hey Bongo, you really must get your hands on some Demerara 151. Until then, you simply haven't had a 1934 zombie. There's just no comparison between it and Bacardi 151. The only really positive thing I can say about Bacardi 151 is it makes a really nice flame when you light it up! |
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Jason Wickedly
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Mon, May 19, 2008 12:56 PM
Thanks, I'll try it. By the way, anyone in the SoCal area...Hi-Time Cellars has a nice Zombie glass for $1.99 each. They were labeled that way on the shelf too...not chimney or Collins glasses, but Zombie glasses. I picked up 4 of them. |
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bigtikidude
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Wed, May 21, 2008 11:11 PM
finally the perfect ceramic mug for the Zombie drink Jeff(bigtikidude) |
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Bongo Bungalow
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Fri, May 23, 2008 2:25 AM
Rob, I know you are right! I've found some liquor stores that are supposed to carry El Dorado in Chicago which is about 21/2 hours away. As soon as I can get there, I'm so there! (For the effort, I wish they had Lemon Hart.) |
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Johnny Dollar
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Fri, May 23, 2008 8:59 AM
our local alterna-rag mentioned making jeff berry's zombie and i was all, alright! then i read on and they said they made it with ruby red and bacardi http://bob.citypaper.com/special/story.asp?id=15744 i did not DIG... mixed feelings... hopefully they might be inclined to make it better the second time around. |
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arriano
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Fri, May 23, 2008 9:07 AM
Their substitutions make no sense. Why would you use Bacardi Razz for Jamaican rum? |
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Kon-Hemsby
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Sat, Jul 12, 2008 10:24 AM
Well I've just made a Zombie using the 1934 recipe. Amazing! It is a fantastic drink. Even I can't drink it fast! Packs a flavour-some punch. Hope I can still cook the dinner after drinking that! |
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Kon-Hemsby
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Sat, Jul 12, 2008 10:24 AM
[ Edited by: Kon-Hemsby 2008-08-05 05:58 ] |
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Tonga Tiki
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Sat, Jul 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Normally I make the 1950 recipe Zombie. Last weekend I made some falernum and yesterday I made Don's mix. So today I am making the 1934 Zombie punch. Holy Crap! It hits you like a freight train...of course in a good way. The spicy flavor is much different than the more citrus flavored 1950. Don had the right idea. |
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bigbrotiki
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Sat, Jul 12, 2008 11:23 PM
The recipe I am adding to this long history of dedicated research is sort of pointless, because it is for a long gone premix: However, visuals is MY business, and I feel this thread is seriously lacking in some Zombie imagery, so I thought I ad some shots of the splendid illustrations on this 1930s mini bottle:
Remember what I wrote in the Book of Tiki: In the history of Polynesian pop, the figure of the Zombie was the predecessor to the Tiki! |
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Staredge
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Thu, Jul 17, 2008 2:43 PM
From Trader Vic's Book of Food and Drink, Pg. 70 (1946) "Here's my idea of a killer-diller. Why people drink them I don't know, but I'll bet you make one before you throw this book away, and I'll bet you drink more of these than any other drink in the book. Don the Beachcomber originated the drink and since then there have been as many different formulas as there are for Planter's Punch. Heres a simplified version for home use. 1 oz Jamaica Rum Put ingredients in large mixing glass with a large piece of ice; stir well and pour over cracked ice in a chimney glass. Will |