Savoy Corpse Reviver

The Savoy Corpse Reviver is a lesser-known but equally delightful sibling to the famous Corpse Reviver No. 2. It is a spirit-forward concoction based on brandy, creating a warmer and richer profile than its gin-based relative. The addition of Fernet-Branca provides a distinct, bitter, and minty herbal complexity, which is balanced by sweet white crème de menthe. This creates a surprisingly harmonious and sophisticated drink, perfect for those who appreciate complex, layered flavors.
Savoy Corpse Reviver

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Savoy Corpse Reviver is a classic cocktail, categorized as an "all day" drink or an aperitif. It's considered a sophisticated, spirit-forward cocktail from the pre-prohibition era. It falls into the sour family of drinks due to the presence of lemon juice in some modern interpretations, though the original is purely spirit and liqueur.

Serving

This is a small, spirit-forward cocktail served straight up in a chilled coupe glass. Its alcohol content is moderately high, making it a potent but elegant drink.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-30% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This recipe appears in Harry Craddock's influential 1930 "The Savoy Cocktail Book" alongside the Corpse Reviver No. 1 and the now-iconic No. 2. While No. 2 became world-famous, this brandy-based version remained a hidden gem for connoisseurs. The term "Corpse Reviver" was historically used for any "hair of the dog" drink, meant to cure a hangover and bring one back from the dead.
Origin
Published in "The Savoy Cocktail Book" in London, England, in 1930. The drink likely dates to the 1920s.

Savoy Corpse Reviver

This drink is most commonly known as the Savoy Corpse Reviver to distinguish it from other cocktails of the same name. It is sometimes unofficially referred to as the Corpse Reviver No. 3. The name clarifies its origin from the Savoy Cocktail Book where it was published alongside the more famous Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Original name
Corpse Reviver (Savoy version)
Alternative names
  • Corpse Reviver No. 3
  • Savoy Hotel Special Corpse Reviver

Characteristics overview

The drink has a complex aroma of mint and herbs, leading to a balanced flavor profile that is both bittersweet and sweet. It has a smooth texture and a long, warming finish, making it a sophisticated sipping cocktail.
Flavor
Herbal, minty, bittersweet, brandy, grape, medicinal
Aroma
Mint, menthol, grape, lemon, complex herbs
Taste balance
Balanced, bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Long, herbal, warming, minty finish
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Amber, brownish-gold, clear
Texture
Smooth, silky
Seasonality
Refreshing yet warming, suitable for year-round enjoyment

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is defined by a strong herbal bitterness from Fernet-Branca, balanced by the sweetness of crème de menthe and the richness of brandy. It is a moderately strong cocktail with no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The original recipe calls for three ingredients in equal parts: Brandy, the intensely bitter amaro Fernet-Branca, and sweet White Crème de Menthe. There are no optional ingredients in the classic formulation.
  • Brandy30 ml / 1 oz
    A good quality VSOP Cognac or other aged brandy works well.
  • Fernet-Branca30 ml / 1 oz
    This specific amaro is key to the drink's profile.
  • White Crème de Menthe30 ml / 1 oz
    Use the clear "white" version, not the green one, to maintain the drink's color.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaking set, including a shaker, jigger, and strainer. This drink is shaken, not stirred, to properly chill and integrate the ingredients.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and diluting.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients.
  • Hawthorne or fine-mesh strainer for straining.

Instructions

The preparation is straightforward: chill a coupe glass, combine all ingredients in an ice-filled shaker, shake well, and double-strain into the glass.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice and water.
2. Add all ingredients (Brandy, Fernet-Branca, and White Crème de Menthe) to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with cubed ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass.
7. Serve immediately.

Garnishing

Traditionally, this cocktail is served without a garnish, allowing its complex aromas to stand on their own. Some modern interpretations might add a lemon twist, but it's not classic.
  • None. The original recipe does not call for a garnish.

Dietary Information

This is an alcoholic beverage that is typically free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric, with its energy coming primarily from alcohol and the sugar in the crème de menthe. It contains around 10-14 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Approximately 180-210 kcal / 750-880 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-14 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 10-14 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an excellent aperitif to stimulate the appetite or a digestif to settle the stomach after a meal. It's a sophisticated choice for cocktail parties. True to its name, it's a traditional "hair of the dog" remedy.
  • Aperitif
  • Digestif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Hangover Cure ("Hair of the Dog")

Pairing suggestions

The bold, herbal, and bitter notes of the Savoy Corpse Reviver pair well with equally bold flavors. It is excellent alongside a platter of cured meats and strong cheeses. It also serves as a fantastic digestif, especially when paired with a piece of high-quality dark chocolate.
  • Dark chocolate
  • Cured meats (charcuterie)
  • Strong cheeses
  • After a rich dinner as a digestif

The Savoy Corpse Reviver: A Bold and Forgotten Classic

The Savoy Corpse Reviver is a potent and complex classic cocktail from the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. It features an unusual but brilliant equal-parts combination of brandy, Fernet-Branca, and white crème de menthe. The resulting drink is an aromatic, bittersweet, and minty experience, a true connoisseur's choice that stands in stark contrast to its more famous gin-based sibling. It's a perfect aperitif or digestif for those who enjoy challenging and rewarding flavor profiles.

Similar Cocktails

Corpse Reviver No. 1

A stirred drink made with Cognac, Calvados, and sweet vermouth.

Corpse Reviver No. 2

The most famous version, made with equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, with a dash of absinthe.

Stinger

A simpler two-ingredient classic made with just brandy and white crème de menthe.

Hanky Panky

Another classic featuring Fernet-Branca, but with gin and sweet vermouth as the base.

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