Ep. 42: Geeky for Tiki – The Zombie and La Zamba
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Welcome to episode 42 of The Art of Drinking with Join Jules and Your Favorite Uncle
What are we drinking this week?
There is a lot to this episodeโฆ a lot! You will learn a few things today. First, how to make cinnamon simple syrup, grenadine, and Donโs mix. All are needed for what comes next, the Zombie. After that, Jules introduces us to the Zombieโs mezcal loving sister, La Zamba. Brad then regails us with the interesting history behind the Zombie. Finally, Jules gives us a few tips about drinking absinthe – why not?
Tip: Drinking Absinthe
Make sure youโre following us on the Insta:
How do I make it Uncle Brad?
Brad, what will we need?
Cinnamon simple syrup
1 cup h2o
1 cup sugar
3 cinnamon sticks broken/crushed
Add all ingredients to sauce pan and bring to boil while stirring
Upon boil, reduce and simmer for 3 minutes
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature
Pour mixture through strainer into airtight container and refrigerate
Don’s Mix
2 parts grapefruit juice to 1 part cinnamon simple syrup
Grenadine
2 cup 100% pomegranate juice
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Combine in saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolved and edges begin to bubble, but do not boil.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature
Pour mixture into airtight container and refridgerate
Don’s mix = 2 parts Grapefruit Juice to 1 part cinnamon infused simple syrup
Brad, how do I make it?
Don’s original Zombie recipe
Chill collins glass and fill halfway with ice when ready to use
In blender add:
-
3/4 oz lime juice
-
1/2 oz falernum
-
1 1/2 oz Puerto Rican gold rum (Bacardi or better)
-
1 1/2 oz dark Jamaican rum (Myers)
-
1oz 151 Demerara Rum (Lemon Hart)
-
1 tsp grenadine
-
6 drops Pernod
-
Dash of Angostura
-
1/2 Don’s mix
-
3/4 cup crushed ice
Blend for 5 seconds. Pour into tall glass, top off with ice if needed, and garnish with mint sprig.
Jules, what do we need?
-
Chilled coupe glass
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Boston shaker
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Jigger
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Strainer: Hawthorne & fine mesh
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Sprig of mint, for garnish
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Aged rum
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Mezcal
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Falernum
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Cinnamon Syrup, see recipe above
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Grapefruit juice
-
lime juice
-
grenadine
-
Ice
Juleโs La Zamba Version
Rinse your glass with absinthe and place in the freezer to chill
In your cocktail shaker, add:
1.5 oz aged rum, appleton rum
ยพ oz Mezcal
ยฝ oz falernum
ยฝ oz cinnamon syrup
ยฝ oz grapefruit juice
ยฝ oz lime juice
1 tsp grenadine
Add ice and shake
Double strain into chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a small sprig of mint thatโs on a little clothespin! (you can find them on amazon!)
Whatโs our tip?
Tip: Absinthe
What is absinthe and how can we use it? And what is a substitute if we canโt find any?
Weโve talked about absinthe before, but letโs quickly go over it since youโll be using it today
What is it? Itโs an overproof spirit, with a bitter anise flavor that comes from a mix of herbs including fennel and most notably, wormwood, a bitter herb notorious for both its health benefits and supposed hallucinogenic properties. (though youโd have to drink far too much to hallucinate). Traditionally, it doesnโt have added sugars, which is one of the reasons itโs such a strong harsh spirit.
How can we use it? You can rinse your glass or use an atomizer, this is just for the flavor/aromas of absinthe to heighten the experience of your drink (kind of like bitters) Youโll usually use absinthe in a small amount so itโs okay to splurge since youโll have it for a while
If youโre big into absinthe, you can get an absinthe fountain, I have one and pull it out for halloweenโฆ. Itโs so cool. What you do is add an absinthe spoon that looks like a retro slotted spoon, youโll put a sugar cube on top and slowly let water drop over the cube and into your glass. Adding sugar and water will help bring out the flavor in the absinthe and obviously a little better to slowly sip and enjoy.
Brands to look out for
Pernod, highlyt recommend
St. George Spirits, another great one to try
Leopold Broโs Absinthe
Absente Absinthe liqueur
Subs
Pastis!
Herbasaint
Make sure to get your History Lesson & the full recipes by listening to todayโs episode and make sure to tune in every Wednesday for a brand new episode!
Tune in every Wednesday for a new episode
The Art of Drinking
Jules
IG: @join_jules
TikTok: @join_jules
Website: joinjules.com
Brad



Proposed name change for Julesโ cocktail: The Oaxacan Dead