I immediately thought calamansi for 'orange lime' but then I wondered if Life magazine had simply made a typo and it should just say 'lime'. Sounds like that would not have helped the drink anyway.
I don’t think anyone likes Trader Vic’s Zombie. But I do love Beachcombers 1934. In fact was Jet pilot my favorite before Jeff Berry found and shared the original Zombie recipe.
Thats too bad this wasn't a hit. The previous Zombie you made on the channel from Beachbum Berry is still to date one of my favorite tiki drinks. Appreciate you sharing the good and the ugly with us!
The more Trader Vic’s cocktails i discover, the more I’m convinced he was the George Lucas of tropical drinks. He struck gold with the Mai Tai, or 1977, but everything else just doesn’t really hit the mark.
Times were different. What we like today is not necessarily what everyone liked or wanted back then. It's also really hard to say we're making these the same way when the rums and the juices he was using were definitely different.
@@slimpunk Usually lemon juice at that. And I refuse to believe that lemons were massively sweeter or more balanced back then, especially if ruby red grapefruit was bred or mutated to be sweeter than white grapefruit. Vic had a couple of good drinks, and a mind for business.
Long time watcher , first time commenter , I agree , zombie has too much going on , what’s your favorite Derek , I’m guessing Mai tai ? , either this or daiquiri for me to show case the rum , love the channel , Jack from Australia
Very cool! Odd question but would you know the origins of those terrible papaya juice Zombie recipes? Even Beachbum Berry published a papaya zombie in the original 1999 Book of Tiki
Why have a zombie when you can have 2 Mai Tais, The only Zombie I ever even liked is the Aku-Aku but I would still rather have a Mai Tai or a Margarita.
Funny, I was at Smugglers Cove last night and ordered a Jet Pilot, which as you know is a variation of Zombie, and had similar impressions as you do about this Zombie variation. Too strong, not enough taste. I prefer the SC Zombie from the book.
I've often suspected than many of Vic's published recipes, especially those given to newspapers/magazines were elaborate misdirection, probably made up on the spot. Why give away his trade secrets? The recipes in his books aren't much better or trustworthy. Maybe he wasn't trolling exactly, but I imagine that there was a bit of a wink and nod. Of course some of his drinks were simply bad but became popular and had to stick around like the Samoan Fog Cutter. I'm pretty sure I ordered the Fogcutter at Trader Vic's like 5 times, just because of the mug design and menu description, before realizing/remembering that I don't like it.
Well it’s possible, but Vic was not secretive. The only secret they kept was the navy grog concentrate. He even gladly gave the ratios to other concentrates or mixes he sold for people to make at home. The idea of trade secrets is much more of a modern take on that time, and it didn’t pertain much to Vic. Its most likely the case that people Just liked different drinks then. The recipes of his found in his books and magazines line up closely with the drinks they still serve today.
Do not agree the zombie was one of the few mixed drinks I liked and hit like a mule but did not taste horrific like whisky drinks do. Had no idea of its history either. Had no idea they were so hard to make due to 10 ingredients. Turns out I happened to order one from a bar that stuck close to the 1934 formula (not this fake one) and noticed no other places had a zombie anywhere close to it. Found out they were all fake zombies and they tasted much worse. This is a fake zombie and of course it taste bad. Have a real one and you won't complain.
This one is not fake. Its different. Different things exist. Crazy how that works. The history of the zombie may still have eluded you, but the zombie became popular because of recipes that were not the original as the original was not known. Shocking, right? And thanks for the advice that I should have a “real zombie.” I never thought of that. Great thinking, buddy.
@@makeanddrink I mean I can pour beer + OJ and call it a zombie but its not a real zombie, its a knock off. Not all drinks with rum in them are a zombie even if you call it one does not make it so.
Your 1934 Zombie was a secret until 2007. So 99.9% of Zombies serverd in this world from 1934-2007 were not what you think a zombie is. Your frame of reference is particular to you, not everyone.
True many fakes outside of Dons bar. But not after 2007 which I had real ones based on Dons. We have a restaraunt that hides their secret white sauce that to this day no one has been able to duplicate. I've tried many clones none have matched it. And the same was for Dons fake zombies, I've had many and some are better than others. I never said it was for everyone because most people do not know know the history. Applebees had a blue zombie for $1.00 this year. Another clone that is nothing like the original.
Man… I love the research and deep dives. But saying the original zombie isn’t good. Man, I just drank one. Maybe I’m just buzzed, but it’s a fantastic cocktail! I’ve noticed a lot in your videos, that you just seem to not like strong drinks or complex cocktails or rums for that matter. I don’t know, man. Just my take. Your videos kinda rub me the wrong way.
Just giving my opinions instead of lying and saying I love everything… and that style is not for everyone. Go ahead and try this Zombie and come back to tell me how great it is. My point is everyone loves all zombie recipes because it’s a “Zombie” and they fail to realize that Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic both said they never touched them. Just an interesting fact. Take it as you will. And I like plenty of strong and complex drinks. Especially the good ones.
Another fun, informative video. Even when the end product is not worth trying, the research and process is fun to watch and appreciated.
Thank you!
3:31 "That's, uh, that's a shit-ton of rum." LOL. You aren't kidding!
False Idol from Hamilton is so dang good
I immediately thought calamansi for 'orange lime' but then I wondered if Life magazine had simply made a typo and it should just say 'lime'. Sounds like that would not have helped the drink anyway.
I don’t think anyone likes Trader Vic’s Zombie. But I do love Beachcombers 1934. In fact was Jet pilot my favorite before Jeff Berry found and shared the original Zombie recipe.
Thats too bad this wasn't a hit. The previous Zombie you made on the channel from Beachbum Berry is still to date one of my favorite tiki drinks. Appreciate you sharing the good and the ugly with us!
i need more Tiki cocktails and their history ¡¡¡ Keep the good work ..¡
The 1950 Don recipe is the best Zombie! It tastes more balanced than any of the other recipes that I've tried.
I love a 1934 zombie with 3oz rum instead of 4.
Same with me
I agree most zombie recipes are usually not great or balenced. But the 1964 version i find to be the most enjoyable.
I definitely prefer the 1934 recipe (or the Smuggler's Cove version) over the 1944.
Falernum and cinnamon simple syrup go a long way.
You what I think every time I have a zombie "this needs more alcohol" 😂
The more Trader Vic’s cocktails i discover, the more I’m convinced he was the George Lucas of tropical drinks.
He struck gold with the Mai Tai, or 1977, but everything else just doesn’t really hit the mark.
Times were different. What we like today is not necessarily what everyone liked or wanted back then. It's also really hard to say we're making these the same way when the rums and the juices he was using were definitely different.
Dude fucking loved filling his cocktails with juice, I can tell you that much 😂
@@slimpunk
Usually lemon juice at that.
And I refuse to believe that lemons were massively sweeter or more balanced back then, especially if ruby red grapefruit was bred or mutated to be sweeter than white grapefruit.
Vic had a couple of good drinks, and a mind for business.
That last shot of grenadine just felt like putting lipstick on pig
Limit 1 per customer per year? hahaha. that's funny and good video.
Long time watcher , first time commenter , I agree , zombie has too much going on , what’s your favorite Derek , I’m guessing Mai tai ? , either this or daiquiri for me to show case the rum , love the channel , Jack from Australia
I got drunk just listening to you talk about those rums.
A pirate ☠️ has less rum in them than this nutty drink.
Limon Mandarina is a Colombian lime that has a orange & lime flavor to it. Not saying thats it, but who knows…
How strong does the Jamaican come through on the False Idol 151, debating on picking that up instead of the normal 151 for my next bottle
I think the blend is just 15% Jamaican. But the Demerara 151 is very one note intense Demerara. Still good but just less versatile.
Like your honesty. Ill pass on it
Prefer the Aku-Aku Zombie 1964, Beachbum Berry Remixed or Total Tiki App
Very cool!
Odd question but would you know the origins of those terrible papaya juice Zombie recipes? Even Beachbum Berry published a papaya zombie in the original 1999 Book of Tiki
I was curious to know if you have tried the Kon-Tiki (Oakland) Zombie? If so what was your take on it?
Why have a zombie when you can have 2 Mai Tais, The only Zombie I ever even liked is the Aku-Aku but I would still rather have a Mai Tai or a Margarita.
I do actually enjoy some of the Zombie recipes but I think you are correct about the Aku Aku version being easily one of the best.
You’ll never hear me call 2 Mai Tai’s a bad idea.
That is unless I’ve already had 2…
I wonder if "Orange Lime" meant "Rangpur Lime"
or Bergamot, which is a cross between a bitter orange and a lime.
Funny, I was at Smugglers Cove last night and ordered a Jet Pilot, which as you know is a variation of Zombie, and had similar impressions as you do about this Zombie variation. Too strong, not enough taste. I prefer the SC Zombie from the book.
Any drink with over 1 oz of orange juice tends to screw up...juts saying lol
I'm curious, why didn't you use the Don Q? 🥂
I like Flor de Cana more and they’re the same style.
I've often suspected than many of Vic's published recipes, especially those given to newspapers/magazines were elaborate misdirection, probably made up on the spot. Why give away his trade secrets? The recipes in his books aren't much better or trustworthy. Maybe he wasn't trolling exactly, but I imagine that there was a bit of a wink and nod. Of course some of his drinks were simply bad but became popular and had to stick around like the Samoan Fog Cutter. I'm pretty sure I ordered the Fogcutter at Trader Vic's like 5 times, just because of the mug design and menu description, before realizing/remembering that I don't like it.
Well it’s possible, but Vic was not secretive. The only secret they kept was the navy grog concentrate. He even gladly gave the ratios to other concentrates or mixes he sold for people to make at home. The idea of trade secrets is much more of a modern take on that time, and it didn’t pertain much to Vic.
Its most likely the case that people
Just liked different drinks then. The recipes of his found in his books and magazines line up closely with the drinks they still serve today.
i do like that 1946 Zombie, but this one - yeah, way too much OJ.
Hehehe……. Having had one of these, like the puka punch, it will knock you on your a$$
Do not agree the zombie was one of the few mixed drinks I liked and hit like a mule but did not taste horrific like whisky drinks do. Had no idea of its history either. Had no idea they were so hard to make due to 10 ingredients. Turns out I happened to order one from a bar that stuck close to the 1934 formula (not this fake one) and noticed no other places had a zombie anywhere close to it. Found out they were all fake zombies and they tasted much worse. This is a fake zombie and of course it taste bad. Have a real one and you won't complain.
This one is not fake. Its different. Different things exist. Crazy how that works. The history of the zombie may still have eluded you, but the zombie became popular because of recipes that were not the original as the original was not known. Shocking, right?
And thanks for the advice that I should have a “real zombie.” I never thought of that. Great thinking, buddy.
@@makeanddrink I mean I can pour beer + OJ and call it a zombie but its not a real zombie, its a knock off. Not all drinks with rum in them are a zombie even if you call it one does not make it so.
Your 1934 Zombie was a secret until 2007. So 99.9% of Zombies serverd in this world from 1934-2007 were not what you think a zombie is. Your frame of reference is particular to you, not everyone.
True many fakes outside of Dons bar. But not after 2007 which I had real ones based on Dons. We have a restaraunt that hides their secret white sauce that to this day no one has been able to duplicate. I've tried many clones none have matched it. And the same was for Dons fake zombies, I've had many and some are better than others. I never said it was for everyone because most people do not know know the history. Applebees had a blue zombie for $1.00 this year. Another clone that is nothing like the original.
Man… I love the research and deep dives. But saying the original zombie isn’t good. Man, I just drank one. Maybe I’m just buzzed, but it’s a fantastic cocktail! I’ve noticed a lot in your videos, that you just seem to not like strong drinks or complex cocktails or rums for that matter. I don’t know, man. Just my take. Your videos kinda rub me the wrong way.
Just giving my opinions instead of lying and saying I love everything… and that style is not for everyone. Go ahead and try this Zombie and come back to tell me how great it is.
My point is everyone loves all zombie recipes because it’s a “Zombie” and they fail to realize that Don the Beachcomber and Trader Vic both said they never touched them. Just an interesting fact. Take it as you will.
And I like plenty of strong and complex drinks. Especially the good ones.