Corpse Reviver No 2 – A Gin Classic
Corpse Reviver No 2 comes from a family of cocktails used to improve one’s morning after a night of drinking. The name itself implies that the drink is so good it can even bring back the dead. – it’s a hangover cure.
Corpse Revivers’s origin goes back to the 1800s, but unfortunately, most recipes got lost through the years. This version (the No 2) is the most popular one, followed by “Corpse Reviver No 1” (cognac, apple brandy, and sweet vermouth) which you can still find in bars, altho not as often.
Harry Craddock mentioned the Corpse Reviver family in his “The Savoy Cocktail Book” from 1930, where it’s said, “To be taken before 11 am., or whenever steam and energy are needed.”
The Corpse Reviver No 2 is a popular classic featuring equal parts of gin, Lillet Blanc (which is a French apéritif), orange liqueur, and lemon juice. Shaken with ice and served in a cocktail glass previously rinsed with Absinthe.
Lillet Blanc is a French apéritif, previously known as Kina Lillet. In the 1980s, the name changed to Lillet Blanc and so did the flavor, because of the reduced quinine content. Even though everyone still enjoyed Lillet Blanc, something was missing. That is when Cocchi Americano became a very popular choice. It provided the bitter tone drinkers were seeking. The base flavor was the same as the Lillet, and it might even be easier to find.
On the list of IBA Official Cocktails.
Ingredients:
- ½ Ounce (15 ml) of gin.
- ½ Ounce (15 ml) of Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano (worst case, use a quality dry vermouth).
- A dash of Absinthe.
- ½ Ounce (15 ml) of orange liqueur.
- And ½ Ounce (15 ml) of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- A lemon twist for garnish.
Preparation:
- Rinse the inside of a chilled cocktail glass with Absinthe. Discard it and leave the glass aside.
- Add the gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, and lemon juice to a shaker.
- Fill with ice and shake well.
- Strain into the cocktail glass you prepared and left aside.
- Garnish and enjoy.
