Zihuatanejo

Inspired by Andy’s dream of freedom in The Shawshank Redemption, the Zihuatanejo cocktail captures coastal escape with sweet white rum, fresh lime juice, coconut cream, and a float of blue curaçao over crushed ice for a light, refreshing taste of hard-earned success. (Recipe Below)

After breaking out of the Shawshank Prison, Andy already had his place of refuge in mind and asked Red to join him there when he gets out on parole. Zihuatanejo is a beautiful, quiet part of Mexico coastline with white sand beaches and clear, blue water. To capture this vibe, and the taste of sweet success in the cocktail Zihuatanejo, combine a sweet, white rum with fresh lime juice and barkeeper's coconut cream (like Coco Real), shake it up and strain over packed, crushed ice in a highball and gently pour on top some Blue Curacao. It's so light and refreshing, perfect for a hot day on a boat after breaking out of prison.

2 oz (60mL) White Rum

1 oz (30mL) Fresh Lime Juice

1 oz (30mL) Barkeeper's Cream of Coconut

.5 oz (15mL) Blue Curacao

In a shaker tin, combine 2 oz White Rum, 1 oz Lime Juice, and 1 oz Coconut Rum. Add ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into a highball filled with crushed ice. Gently float .5 oz Blue Curacao on top.

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Bacardi Superior White Rum

Country: Puerto Rico
ABV: 80 proof/40%
Brand: Bacardi Limited
Spirits Type: Rum
Taste: Vanilla, Apricot, Coconut
Price Category: $
Designed for mixing, this rum has lightly floral and citrus notes. Bacardi rum is made from molasses a sugar cane biproduct, fermented with a proprietary yeast blend and aged in American Whiskey and Bourbon barrels.
Fresh Lime Juice

6% - 8.5% Acidity
Lime juice is generally the most acidic of the citrus fruit juices used cocktails. The high acidity can help balance flavors and smooth bitterness as well as astringent flavors of high-spirited or unfiltered alcohol. Limes that have had more time to ripen will render a more concentrated and sweeter flavor with floral notes adding complexity to a cocktail. It is advisable to taste your fresh-pressed juice and adjust added sweeteners accordingly.
Cream of Coconut

Made by blending together meat from a mature coconut and sugar, barkeeper's cream of coconut has concentrated fresh coconut flavor and a lot of sweetness.
Blue Curacao

Country: United States
ABV: 54 proof/27%
Brand: DeKuyper
Spirits Type: Liqueur/Cordials/Schnapps
Taste: Syrupy sweet dried orange peel with slight bitterness
Price Category: $
De Kuyper Blue Curacao is a liqueur made by redistilling spirits with bitter citrus peels and adding sugar producing a sweet citrus flavored liqueur. The blue additive creates its distinct color appeal.

Get Busy Drinking: The Shawshank Redemption Reimagined Through ‘Prison Break’ and ‘Zihuatanejo’ Cocktails

The Shawshank Redemption follows Andy Dufresne as he befriends Red, earns trust within Shawshank Prison, and quietly sets a long-term escape plan in motion while helping inmates, guards, and the corrupt warden. Inspired by Andy’s hidden tunnel behind the Rita Hayworth poster, the Prison Break cocktail reimagines the classic Martinez with a sharper gin-forward profile, sweet vermouth, Luxardo, orange and Angostura bitters, and a bright lemon finish. After his escape, Andy’s dream destination becomes reality in Zihuatanejo, a peaceful Mexican coastline symbolizing freedom and hope. The Zihuatanejo cocktail captures that escape with white rum, fresh lime juice, coconut cream, crushed ice, and a float of blue curaçao for a light, tropical finish. Celebrated for its iconic narration, enduring quotes, and emotional depth, The Shawshank Redemption is a must-watch film best enjoyed with themed cocktails and the reminder to “get busy living, or get busy dying.”