The Corpse Reviver #2 is a cocktail that promises awakening and renewal. With gin’s crisp botanicals, lemon’s zesty lift, and a subtle absinthe edge, it feels like a morning fog lifting to reveal a clear sky. This equal-parts elixir is invigorating yet balanced, perfect for shaking off the remnants of a long night or starting the day with a spark of sophistication.
✨ What Makes the Cocktail Unique?
The Corpse Reviver #2 shines through its precise equal-parts formula, creating harmony among citrus, herbal, and bitter notes. The absinthe rinse adds an enigmatic anise whisper, while orange liqueur provides subtle sweetness. Unlike heavier revivers, this one is light and luminous, earning its name as a true “hair of the dog” that revives rather than overwhelms.
📖 Recipe
Servings: 1
Time: Under 5 minutes
Difficulty: Revitalizing
🍹 Ingredients
- 0.75 oz gin
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75 oz Cointreau (or orange liqueur)
- 0.75 oz Cocchi Americano (or Lillet Blanc as substitute)
- Dash of absinthe
🥂 Preparation Steps
- Rinse a chilled coupe glass with absinthe, swirling to coat and discarding excess.
- Add gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, and Cocchi Americano to a shaker filled with ice.
- Shake vigorously until well chilled.
- Strain into the prepared glass.
- Serve without garnish, letting the pale gold hue speak for itself.
🍋 Variations & Tips
- If Cocchi Americano is unavailable, Lillet Blanc works well, though it is slightly sweeter.
- Use a floral gin to enhance the herbal layers from the absinthe.
- For a drier version, reduce the orange liqueur slightly.
- Always use fresh lemon juice to maintain the cocktail’s bright, awakening character.
🌅 Perfect Setting
The Corpse Reviver #2 is ideal for brunches, after-parties, or any moment when you need a gentle nudge back to life. It fits sunny patios, hotel lounges, or quiet mornings where renewal feels essential. This cocktail turns ordinary starts into elegant ones. Cheers!
📜 Reviving the Roaring Twenties
The Corpse Reviver #2 was immortalized in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930, during London’s Prohibition-era heyday at the Savoy Hotel. Craddock, a legendary bartender, created it as one of four “Corpse Reviver” cocktails meant to cure hangovers from the previous night’s excesses. The #2 version quickly became the most beloved for its refreshing balance.
In the 1920s, as American expats flocked to Europe to escape dry laws, drinks like this one blended gin (a British staple) with citrus and liqueurs for a sophisticated revival. The absinthe dash added a nod to pre-ban French flair, while Kina Lillet (now approximated by Cocchi Americano) brought quinine bitterness.
This cocktail captured the era’s spirit of resilience and revelry, serving as both remedy and ritual. Today, it endures as a pre-Prohibition gem, reminding us that even after a wild night, a well-mixed drink can bring you back to life.
Image by Will Shenton.