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.
Zihuatanejo
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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Rumple Minze
100 proof/50% ABV
Diageo Company
German style peppermint schnapps although largely unknown to Germany. The high proof lends itself to its strong peppermint smell and taste.
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Cointreau
80 proof/40% ABV
Remy Martin Company
An colorless orange liqueur made with bitter orange peels and alcohol from sugar beets. Produced in France with the triple sec liqueur recipe still a kept family secret.
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Half and Half
10.5% - 18% fat
Half and half is an equal parts mixture of cream and milk. Now, there are great non-dairy options in the market.
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Salt
Salt is a great flavor changer. It can balance sweetness and bitterness, smoothing out a cocktail. It can also enhance citrus flavor and acidity without the need for more acid. It is most commonly used in rimming cocktail glasses, but a sprinkle in the cocktail shaker can really impact a cocktail. Make it into a saline solution to enhance stirred cocktails.
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.”
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