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“Four of these taken in swift succession will un-revive the corpse again.”
Heading to a speakeasy tonight? Start the night on theme with the Corpse Reviver No. 2. It’s a hangover cure turned retro cocktail made from gin, aperitif wine, triple sec, lemon juice, and absinthe.
This classic gin cocktail is delightfully refreshing, slightly sweet yet tart, and has lovely hints of citrus. It's a perfectly balanced drink with a lingering end note of anise that suits every sip unbelievably well.
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is one of many cocktails I love from Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book. His collection of vintage cocktails always makes a night out with friends extra enjoyable! Once you’ve given this gin cocktail a try, move on to The Abbey Cocktail and The Ruby Fizz Cocktail. They’re sure to be a hit!
A pre-prohibition cocktail
The original Corpse Reviver No. 2 first popped up in Harry Craddock’s The Savoy Cocktail Book. Published in 1930, the Savoy Hotel bartender had the opportunity to publish a variety of classic cocktails and unique concoctions.
I mixed up my first Corpse Reviver No. 2 by following the recipe in the book: a mix of equal parts dry gin, Cointreau, Cocchi Americano, lemon juice, and one drop of Pernod. Unfortunately, that first sip only resulted in disappointment. It seemed unbalanced and lacking star anise.
I played with the recipe, ingredients, and ratios, and voila! My revived, well-balanced Reviver-replica turned out to be a success.
Featured ingredients
Almost all of these ingredients should be easy to find at your local liquor store:
Dry gin
Gin is my favorite liquor. Its notes of juniper, citrus, and pine make it a well-rounded addition to simple gin and tonics, a classic Negroni, or the more elaborate Seventh Heaven Cocktail.
Choose a dry gin for this vintage cocktail. Dry gin, like Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Bombay Sapphire, is botanical-forward and made without any artificial flavors or sweeteners. You’re sure to taste the juniper in every sip.
Aperitif wine
These fruity fortified wines are unlike any regular glass of wine you’ve had. They have bold and unique flavor profiles thanks to added botanicals, like roots, bark, flowers, and spices.
My choice in this vintage gin cocktail was Cocchi Americano (pronounced KOH-kee uh-meh-ree-KAH-noh) although Lillet Blanc is perfectly acceptable as well (albeit sweeter). Kina Lilet was the classic choice (it no longer exists), however, after being reformulated in the 1980s to reduce the quinine levels, the bitterness was almost wiped out. In my opinion, the bitter bite at the end makes this cocktail.
Orange liqueur
Like Cointreau or Triple Sec. The liqueur brightens this cocktail with its sweetness and hint of citrus, and also gives it a subtle orange color.
Lemon juice
For brightness, balance, and tang. Squeeze the juice yourself if you can!
Absinthe
Just because absinthe is sometimes known as the Green Fairy doesn’t mean you’ll be seeing them after sipping on this cocktail! You can relax because the rumor that absinthe is a hallucinogenic is a myth.
A splash of absinthe is added to the cocktail shaker, although many people prefer to rinse the glass with absinthe instead. Both methods will give your Corpse Reviver No. 2 a refreshingly bitter note of star anise.
Tips and tricks for the best cocktail
While this is a fairly simple cocktail, it won’t hurt to follow a few tips and tricks:
Chill your cocktail glass
Place your coupe glasses in the freezer ahead of making this dry gin cocktail. Or, if you’re low on time, fill the glasses with ice and a little water to chill them from the inside out. Trust me - cocktails in an ice-cold glass always taste better!
Don’t forget the ice
Shaking the cocktail with plenty of fresh ice not only chills every sip but slightly dilutes the alcohol as well. It’s an important step in toning down this very boozy drink.
Big batch cocktails
Serving a crowd? Make a big batch of Corpse Reviver No.2’s by following the tips in my big batch cocktail guide.
Answers to your Q's!
What is a Corpse Reviver?
Corpse Revivers are a group of 19th century hangover-curing drinks. These cocktails are meant to be so strongly flavored and potent that they could wake a corpse.
How many Corpse Revivers are there?
There are a few varieties of published Corpse Reviver recipes, however, the most popular is No. 2.
What’s the difference between Corpse Reviver No. 1 and No. 2?
Corpse Reviver No. 1 was the first of these cocktails to gain popularity after the recipe was published in The Savoy Cocktail Book. It’s made with cognac, apple brandy, and Italian vermouth. It’s an energy-inducing drink, much like No. 2, but more bitter and fruity in flavor.
🎉 It's time to cook! 🎉
Alright, friend! It's your turn to make this delish recipe for your next get-together.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ When you do, please leave a comment and star rating below so we can hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recipe
Corpse Reviver No. 2
Ingredients
- 2 ounces aperitif wine
- 2 ounces dry gin
- 2 ounces triple sec
- 1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Splash absinthe
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into your cocktail shaker of choice.
- Fill with ice, vigorously shake, and pour into two chilled cocktail glasses.
Notes
Adapted from Harry Craddock's [The Savoy Cocktail Book.
Danielle says
This look amazing! And your glasses are beautiful!? Where did you get them?
Michelle Ferrand says
Thanks, Danielle!
I got the glasses at the Petaluma, CA Antique Fair (http://www.petalumadowntown.com/antique-faire-petaluma.html) they have so many treasures there!
Al Ferrand says
Sounds great! Have one ready for me, next time I see you. Gramps
Michelle Ferrand says
Will do, Gramps! <3
Donna says
This sounds like my perfect cocktail - love the flavors! Will have to wait until this little one comes out before I can try it though 🙂
Michelle Ferrand says
Congratulations Donna! Glad you are waiting too 😉
Jenni says
This sounds awesome! I definitely will have to try it out! Also love your glassware!
Michelle Ferrand says
Yay! I hope you do! The glassware was my grandma's 🙂
Amy says
I love all the detail and history behind this! So interesting to revive recipes like this!
Michelle Ferrand says
Thanks so much Amy! I'm so passionate about food history and am glad you are enjoying it! 🙂
Corna says
I am no expert on cocktails at all but it sounds delicious and very refreshing too! I love reading about the history of the drink.
Michelle Ferrand says
It is sooo refreshing! I'm glad you enjoy the history parts too!
Leah says
The Corpse Revivers are all so interesting to me, they are all so different! Sounds great, and cheers to that!
Michelle Ferrand says
Yeah! It's so interesting how there are different variations on the same cocktail! And yeah, they all sound great! Thank so much Leah 🙂
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says
I so want to try this!! I love the way you explain everything in your post. It was fun to read.
Michelle Ferrand says
That means so much to me Kimberly! I hope you do get a chance to make it, or order one at a bar 😉
Tara says
This looks so refreshing! Love the photos!
Michelle Ferrand says
Thanks so much Tara! 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
If you are a gin lover...this would be amazing. Unfortunately I am not a lover of gin...however make it with a different type of alcohol and I'm in.
Michelle Ferrand says
Yup! I love gin, so this cocktail makes me super happy, but I get it...we like what we like 🙂
Michelle @ Brown Butter and Biscuits says
Looks and sounds so classy! I love the presentation as well 🙂
Michelle Ferrand says
Thanks so much Michelle! Pour any drink in a fancy glass and I'm hooked 😉
Warm Cocotte says
Perfect to digest, must do it for a dinner with friends!
Wish you a wonderful week!
Gloria & Emanuele (Warm Cocotte Team)
Michelle Ferrand says
Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful week as well 🙂
April says
Love your photos and your stories! I am such a lightweight! One glass for me and I am out like a light lol.
Michelle Ferrand says
Hahaha...yeah, I have a lot of friends who are the same! <3
Marie-Pierre says
That seems like my type of drinks! Fancy, strong and citrusy! Love it, and the glass also;)
Tanya@myforkinglife.com says
I am so in love with your writing! It's like I was right next to you trying this yummy cocktail.
Michelle Ferrand says
Thank you so much Tanya! Wish you were there with me 😉
Lindsay @ Veggie Balance says
Mmm anything with gin lately and I am sold! Will have to try this. 🙂
Michelle Ferrand says
Gin is the best! Let me know how you like it Lindsay 🙂