The Mai Tai may be the drink most closely associated with tiki bars these days, but the Zombie is really where it all started. It was the mixological masterpiece of Don the Beachcomber (Ernest Raymond Beaumont Gantt), who also pretty much invented the concept of a tiki bar (i.e. a Polynesian-inspired place serving rum concoctions). Made with a blend of rums, citrus, spices, Pernod and bitters, the Zombie was mysterious, complex and potent.
It was so popular that opportunists began creating their own Zombies, some bearing little resemblance to the original article. Don the Beachcomber went to great lengths to keep his recipes a secret, so nobody really knew what went into the original Zombie until decades later when Jeff “Beachbum” Berry embarked to uncover it through exhaustive research and interviews. (His book Sippin’ Safari: In Search of the Great “Lost” Tropical Drink Recipes… and the People Behind Them was one of the main influences that really got me into all things tiki).
Now, David J. Montgomery (aka Professor Cocktail) has added another chapter to this intoxicating narrative with his recently published e-book Professor Cocktail’s Zombie Horde: Recipes for the World’s Most Lethal Drink. He unearthed and assembled more than 80 recipes for the Zombie, starting with the real deal and its earliest imitators in the 1930s on through the decades. Helpful “Professor’s Notes” accompany many of the recipes and warn readers as to which drinks are duds and which ones are worth recreating at home.
My favorites are the reinvented versions of the Zombie collected from today’s top tiki bars like Smuggler’s Cove, Mahiki and Frankie’s Tiki Room. And it’s not just tiki bars that are represented but also craft cocktail spots around the country, including PDT, Bar Agricole, Caña Rum Bar and Drink. It should also be noted that 10 of these recipes are Zombie Horde exclusives that have never before been published.
Zombie Horde is available as an e-book for $2.99, but there’s a paperback version ($13.46) if you’re old-school. The author has also just released another new e-book for imbibers: Professor Cocktail’s Holiday Drinks: Recipes for Mixed Drinks and More.
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Kahuna Kevin’s Cocktail Book Review
The Tiki Chick 
Hello, Tiki Chick! ~ Thanks for the head’s up on the Tiki Market last weekend. We had a great time. I had been to one about 4 years ago during a Tikiyaki (band) performance there at Don’s; and apparently they have a new guy coordinating the market now. I forgot his name, but he’s very enthusiastic about it and very friendly. Worth meeting!
I managed to get a few more tiki mugs for the growing collection, only 7 so far, but failed to snag the blue water -woman mug before someone else snagged it. People definitely have to buy their stuff on the first trip around the tables. No coming back later.
Are you a local to SoCal? I was wondering if you were there, but I did not see you. You’ve probably been to quite a few at this point.
The turnout was surprisingly good for a wet and rainy day! It became evident to me that the word gets out like wildfire when this event happens and this subculture so it was quite a hip scene with the live music playing and waterfall.
I really enjoy your website and appreciate the “Events” section; especially the head’s up on the “Royal Hawaiian” tour coming up in February.
I had no idea they did the tour, and being a real estate agent with a passion for tropics, retro stuff, interior design and feng shui…I was SO excited to see that coming up!
Thanks again for the great site and I look forward to meeting you in person soon. Take care!
Brittany Mission Viejo, CA
Hi, Brittany! Yep, I am indeed a SoCal gal and do often go to the International Tiki Marketplace. I really wanted to go to this last one with all the holiday things people were making but just couldn’t get down there (good for my wallet, but a bummer for me).
I’m sure you will find many more mugs for your collection — I sure did! Hopefully soon I’ll do a post about the tiki guest room in our house and you’ll see what I mean.
Thanks for checking out my blog!