Marouane Tej scored twice and Baghdad Bounedjah, Alaya Brigui and substitute Saddam Ben Aziza once for the 2015 Tunisian league runners-up, who led 3-1 at half-time.
Ayman Hefny halved a two-goal deficit with a goal midway through the opening half, but that was a rare moment of happiness for the Egyptian league and cup title-holders.
A close semifinal, first leg had been anticipated at Stade Olympique in Tunisian Mediterranean resort Sousse between two of the most successful African clubs.
But Etoile, who scored just four goals in three group games en route to the last four in the African equivalent of the Europa League, soared to heights unseen this season.
The Red Devils were 2-0 ahead within 11 minutes and a couple of late goals completed one of the greatest upsets in the 12-year competition.
Zamalek conceded only three goals in three away group games and a 4-1 thrashing of South African visitors Orlando Pirates two weeks ago confirmed that they were the side to beat.
Tej scored his first CAF goal of the season on five minutes and Algerian Bounedjah his seventh on 11 minutes to give the winners of eight African titles a great start.
After Hefny reduced the arrears, Brigui struck on 35 minutes to regain a two-goal advantage for the only club win all five African Football Confederation (CAF) competitions.
Tej scored his second goal seven minute from time and Ben Aziza almost certainly killed off any hopes of a miraculous second-leg comeback by Zamalek when he netted soon after.
The amazing result came 24 hours after the great domestic rivals of Zamalek, Confederation Cup title-holders Al Ahly, fell 1-0 to Pirates in the other first leg at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
A close-range flick by Thamsanqa Gabuza after nine minutes eluded veteran goalkeeper Sherif Ekramy and settled a dour duel in which Ahly wasted several chances to equalise.
Zamalek host Etoile next Saturday in Cairo and Ahly have home advantage over Pirates one day later in Suez.
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