A Corpse Reviver cocktail on a book shelf.

Corpse Reviver No. 2

A pre-Prohibition classic, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a great cocktail with an even better name. Traditionally, mixed drinks such as these were used as hangover cures, hence the name like Corpse Reviver. While some probably still use this cocktail as a hangover cure, most these days drink these at a more sensible time of day.

Watch out though, with ample Gin and other liqueurs, this cocktail has a good punch to it! Will you be the corpse that is revived or will this drink put you in the ground?

However you approach this cocktail, and at whatever time of day, you still have to appreciate this cocktail as the classic it is. You can't not love it.

Total Time 5

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

20 mL Gin A London Dry is traditional, but enjoy with any Gin.
20 mL Lillet Blanc
20 mL Triple Sec Any Orange Liqueur will do
20 mL Lemon Juice
Absinthe to rinse

Instructions

Rinse a Coupe glass with Absinthe and set aside.
Put the other ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
Strain into your prepared glass.
Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The Corpse Reviver family of cocktails is a relatively prominent one, with the Number 2 perhaps being the most famous. While we don't have an exact date of when this cocktail came about, we do know it appeared at a number of famous bars including the Savoy and Trader Vic's. Of course there have been some variations for this cocktail over the years, especially as some of the original ingredients are no longer made. This recipe tries to stay relatively true to the taste though.

Our Review of the Corpse Reviver No. 2

Four ingredients of equal measure plus a quick Absinthe rinse? Don’t mind if I do!

Despite sounding a little bit daunting, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is actually a fairly simple cocktail to make, and it has relatively common ingredients in it. Some people who are new to making cocktails may not have Lillet Blanc at home, but making a Corpse Reviver is a good excuse to pick some up.

Although I wouldn’t suggest having one of these in the morning, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 certainly is a hangover cure. The cocktail is a bit more dry than it is sweet, but that’s kind of the point of having one of these. Although the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is lovely to sip slowly, it’s also a cocktail that can be consumed quickly for a quick zing. While the name may suggest that this is a strong cocktail, if you actually think about the Corpse Reviver name, it’s actually designed to do the opposite of putting the drinker in the ground. Yes, of course there’s alcohol in this (it’s a cocktail after all), but it’s actually not too bad compared to other cocktails. The Gin is full strength, but everything else (minus the Absinthe wash) is relatively low in alcohol as cocktails go.

But does the Corpse Reviver No. 2 taste OK? I say it does! I quite like cocktails with a small rinse of Absinthe. That little bit goes a long way to add some depth of flavour that mingles well with all the other flavours of the cocktail. Triple Sec and Lemon Juice is a tried and true combination, and of course it goes well with Gin. And Lillet Blanc? It’s close enough to a Dry Vermouth in flavour, and if you’ve ever had a Gin Martini, you know that goes well too!

So is there anything negative about the Corpse Reviver No. 2? I would say no, nothing too negative stands out. As I’ve already said, the cocktail leans dry, which may not suit everyone’s taste. It looks sweeter than it is, but it certainly is refreshing, and that’s the point of a cocktail like this. A quick refreshment that’s easy to enjoy. And hey, it’s easy to make to, so why not have one?

7.5/10

Review by Ziggy

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