Tied one on and overdid it the night before? Rise from the figurative grave with a Corpse Reviver No. 2
When I hear the name Corpse Reviver, whether in relation to tonight’s cocktail or the original cognac-based recipe, I can’t help but think of zombies. And not the classic Tiki drink either, but the undead. Shambling, rotting walking dead people, arms outstretched and moaning one monosyllabic word: Brains. And they don’t just want any old set of cranial noodles… They want yours.
The above description can also be attributed to some folks you might know, especially after hitting the sauce pretty hard the night before. Coffee and eggs won’t do, and even though some greasy sausage and bacon sounds like it might cure their pounding heads and upset stomachs, only one thing will probably help. That’s right, a little “hair of the dog that bit you”, as the saying goes, and a Corpse Reviver No. 2 has a reputation for “raising the dead” and setting one straight.
When Harry Craddock published The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930, he had two Corpse Reviver recipes listed. Nowadays, there are at least eight different versions. Be wary with any of these, though, and heed Craddock’s eerie warning:
“Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again.”
What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Corpse Reviver No. 2?
If you’re looking to make the most powerful Corpse Reviver you can, you’ll want a strong and crisp gin. The spirit that fits the bill is a stalwart and reliable London Dry. With botanicals that include juniper, licorice and citrus, the herbaceous liquor will play well with the soft and floral Lillet Blanc. And with the licorice-like anise notes present in the absinthe, you’re in for a delicious, full-bodied and powerful cocktail. Don’t skip the absinthe glass rinse, as that helps give this historic tipple its distinctive flavor.
Ingredients
- 1/4 ounce absinthe for rinsing glass
- 3/4 ounce gin
- 3/4 ounce triple sec
- 3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Orange or lemon twist for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a chilled coupe glass, add the absinthe and swirl to coat the interior and then discard any excess.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, add London Dry gin, triple sec, Lillet Blanc, and fresh lemon juice. Shake well.
- Double strain into the prepared coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist or lemon twist if desired, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?
Chill a coupe for at least 15 to 30 minutes in your freezer before serving. This will make each sip of your drink extra cold and smooth. Garnish with an orange twist or lemon twist, expressing the citrus oils over your cocktail before placing it.
CAN YOU USE COCCHI AMERICANO IN THIS RECIPE?
If you’re looking to make your cocktail subtly more robust, Cocchi Americano is a fantastic substitute for Lillet Blanc. Since both are aromatized, fortified wines, they are often used interchangeably in cocktails like the Vesper Martini. Cocchi has a bitter flavor profile with hints of quinine, while Lillet is more floral, softer and sweet.
Similar Cocktails To The Corpse Reviver No. 2
You don’t need “the hair of the dog” to enjoy any of the other gin-based concoctions that have remained popular throughout history. If you have a nice bottle of London Dry and some fresh lemons, you’re more than halfway to a chill and relaxing evening. Check out some of these classic recipes, then explore our site for even more ideas.
- Gin Sour – Simple and perfect, this elixir is the basis for many a thirst-quenching cocktail.
- Tom Collins – Pour your Gin Sour over ice and add club soda. Now you have a crisp and refreshing Collins.
- Gin Fizz – Fun to drink, this frothy concoction will easily become one of your favorites.
- White Lady – Somewhere between a Margarita and a Gin Sour sits this tasty treat.
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