Corpse Reviver No. 2

Name: Corpse Reviver No. 2
Prep time: 3 min
Total time: 3 min
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Gin; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Lillet Blanc; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Cointreau; 22.5 ml / 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice; 1 dash (for rinse) Absinthe

Ingredients Instructions

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a perfectly balanced cocktail featuring equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice, with a whisper of absinthe. Its flavor profile is bright, tart, and complex, with botanical notes from the gin, floral sweetness from the Lillet, and a citrus punch from the liqueur and juice. The absinthe rinse adds a subtle but crucial layer of herbal, anise aroma that ties the drink together. It is a deceptively smooth drink that packs a considerable punch, as its name implies.

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time

Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a classic cocktail, categorized as an "All Day" drink in historical cocktail books. It is often considered a sophisticated aperitif due to its dry, aromatic profile. It falls firmly into the category of sour cocktails, utilizing a balance of spirit, citrus, and liqueur.

Serving

Served straight up in a chilled coupe or martini glass, this cold, spirit-forward cocktail is relatively small in volume but has a significant alcohol content. The preparation of the glass with an absinthe rinse is a key part of its character.

Serving size

Approximately 90-100 ml / 3-3.5 oz

Alcohol content

Approximately 25-28% ABV

Alcohol strength

Serving temperature

Cold

Glass type

Coupe

Glass treatment

Chilled glass, rinsed with absinthe

Backstory

The most famous recipe for the Corpse Reviver No. 2 was codified by Harry Craddock in his seminal 1930 "The Savoy Cocktail Book". He famously quipped, "Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again." The drink belongs to a family of cocktails intended as hangover cures. While its exact origin is murky, Craddock's publication cemented its place in the cocktail canon.

Origin

London, England, first published in 1930. The drink likely existed in some form before then, but its fame is tied to The Savoy Hotel's American Bar during the pre-Prohibition and Prohibition eras.

Corpse Reviver No. 2

The drink is most commonly known as the Corpse Reviver No. 2, often abbreviated with the numeral "#2". The name itself is a historical moniker for any strong cocktail meant to be consumed in the morning as a "hair of the dog" hangover cure. This version is by far the most famous of the Corpse Reviver family.

Original name

Corpse Reviver No. 2

Alternative name

Corpse Reviver #2

Characteristics overview

This drink presents a complex bouquet of citrus and herbal aromas, leading to a tart, refreshing flavor with floral undertones and a clean, crisp finish. Its pale yellow, luminous appearance in a coupe glass is as elegant as its smooth, light texture.

Flavor

Citrusy, tart, herbal, floral, anise, botanical

Aroma

Botanical, citrus, hint of licorice, floral

Taste balance

Sour, slightly sweet, slightly bitter

Aftertaste

Clean, crisp, herbal

Fizziness

None

Color appearance

Pale yellow, slightly cloudy, luminous

Texture

Smooth, light, crisp

Seasonality

Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is led by a pronounced sourness from fresh lemon, balanced by a moderate fruitiness and slight sweetness. The alcohol strength is noticeable but well-integrated, with no carbonation and minimal bitterness or spice.

Sweetness

Saltiness

Sourness

Bitterness

Spiciness

Fruitiness

Creaminess

Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a precise balance of five key ingredients: gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe for an aromatic rinse. Using fresh, high-quality ingredients is essential for achieving its signature flavor profile.

Gin22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
A London Dry style gin is traditional.
Lillet Blanc22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
Cocchi Americano is a common substitute.
Cointreau22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
Another high-quality triple sec can be used.
Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
Absinthe1 dash (for rinse)
Used to coat the inside of the glass.

Ice type

Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for precise measuring and two types of strainers. Double straining with both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer ensures a smooth, ice-chip-free texture.

Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing
Jigger for accurate measurement
Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice
Fine-mesh strainer for double straining

Instructions

The preparation involves chilling and rinsing a coupe glass with absinthe before shaking the main ingredients with ice. The drink is then double strained into the glass and finished with a citrus twist garnish.

1. Chill a coupe or martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Discard the ice from the chilled glass. Add a dash of absinthe to the glass and swirl to coat the entire interior, then discard any excess liquid.

3. Add the gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

4. Shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.

5. Double strain the mixture into the prepared, absinthe-rinsed glass.

6. Express the oils from a lemon or orange twist over the surface of the drink, then drop it in as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple citrus twist is the traditional garnish for this cocktail. An orange or lemon twist both work well, adding aromatic oils that complement the drink's flavor profile.

Lemon twist or Orange twist, express oils over the drink and drop in or place on the rim

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, soy, and gluten, making it suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets. It is also caffeine-free.

✓ Contains alcohol

✓ Caffeine-free

✓ Dairy-free

✓ Egg-free

✓ Soy-free

✓ Nut-free

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Vegan-friendly

✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie count, around 165 kcal per serving, primarily from the alcohol and liqueurs. The carbohydrate and sugar content are also moderate, stemming from the Lillet Blanc and Cointreau.

Calories

Averagely 165 kcal / 690 kJ

Calories level

Carbohydrates

Approximately 10 grams

Carbohydrate level

Sugar

Approximately 9 grams

Sugar level

Occasions

This is a versatile cocktail suitable for many occasions, particularly as an elegant pre-dinner aperitif to stimulate the appetite. It's an excellent choice for cocktail parties or any gathering that appreciates classic, sophisticated drinks. Some even enjoy it as a daring brunch option, heeding its "hair of the dog" reputation.

Pre-dinner drink
Cocktail party
Classic cocktail night
Brunch

Pairing suggestions

The Corpse Reviver No. 2's bright acidity and herbal complexity make it an excellent pairing for briny and savory foods. It cuts through the richness of seafood like oysters and complements the saltiness of olives and nuts. Its crisp profile also pairs well with tangy cheeses like goat cheese.

Oysters
Light seafood appetizers
Salty snacks like olives or Marcona almonds
Goat cheese canapés

The Corpse Reviver No. 2: A Zesty Revival from the Savoy Era

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a timeless classic from the golden age of cocktails, celebrated for its perfect, equal-parts harmony. It is a sophisticated blend of botanical gin, floral Lillet Blanc, sweet orange liqueur, and tart lemon, all brought together by an ethereal absinthe aroma. Despite its whimsical name suggesting a hangover cure, it's a potent and elegant aperitif that demands respect. Its refreshing and complex character has ensured its enduring popularity among cocktail enthusiasts for nearly a century.