Reviving the Corpse Reviver No. 2 Cocktail
The blend of gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice creates a balanced flavour profile, while the absinthe adds a herbal note.
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a celebrated pre-Prohibition era cocktail known for its purported ability to “revive a corpse”. Essentially, it was concocted as a hangover cure, offering a refreshing yet potent blend to jolt one back to life.
While this vibrant cocktail disappeared for decades, it was brought back into the limelight thanks to Harry Craddock’s influential The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930. This cocktail, with its roots tracing back to the 19th century, combines absinthe, gin, Lillet Blanc, and orange liqueur to deliver a striking and revitalising drink.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 28 ml of gin
- 28 ml of Lillet Blanc
- 28 ml of Cointreau
- 28 ml of fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon absinthe
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Method
- Place ice in a cocktail shaker.
- Pour in the gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice.
- Spoon absinthe into a cocktail glass and swirl to coat the sides of the glass.
- Shake the cocktail mixture vigorously.
- Strain the mixture into the prepared cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a Maraschino cherry.
A historical note
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 not only boasts an intriguing name but also a rich history. Its resurgence in the 20th century, thanks to Craddock’s “The Savoy Cocktail Book,” allowed modern enthusiasts to rediscover this classic. The book itself is a treasure trove of cocktail recipes and historical anecdotes, making it a must-read for any cocktail aficionado.
