The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a timeless classic cocktail featuring equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. Despite the morbid name, It’s a citrusy and refreshing cocktail that is very similar to the French 75 without the fizz. While it’s a lesser-known classic cocktail, it’s one of our favorites and is an undeniable crowdpleaser that is very easy to sip.
The Corpse Reviver 2 first appeared in The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock in the 1930s. It’s said to have earned its name from its hangover-curing qualities, raising one from the darkness of a previous night’s overindulgence.
I can personally attest it’s a fantastic brunch cocktail that should sit next to the Bloody Mary, Mimosa, or even the French 75. It’s citrusy, floral, subtly sweet, and a reasonably low-proof cocktail that goes down very easily. A word of caution and to quote Harry Craddock, “Four of these taken in swift succession will un-revive the corpse again.”
Ingredients
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 exhibits a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and herbal flavors.
- Gin: Gin adds natural botanicals and complimentary citrusy notes that blend really well with the citrus-forward ingredients in the cocktail. I typically use London dry gin but you can also experiment with different flavored gins.
- Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano: Lillet is a French, wine-based aperitif that tastes like a sweet sauvignon blanc with a dry spiced finish. It’s absolutely essential for this cocktail, however, it’s sometimes substituted with Cocchi Americano. The cocktail is simply not the same without it.
- Cointreau or triple sec: Orange liqueur adds additional citrus, orange notes, and subtle sweetness that rounds out the entire drink, making it very crushable. Use Cointreau for a more balanced and higher-end feel.
- Lemon juice: Always opt for fresh lemon juice when possible for refreshing tartness.
- Absinthe: Classically this cocktail is made with absinthe, however, I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary to successfully pull off the drink. You can mix in a bar spoon of absinthe to add subtle anise flavor and aroma. You can also do an absinthe rinse with the glass.
More Classic Cocktails
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PrintCorpse Reviver 2 Recipe
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Cocktail
- Cuisine: English
Description
A brightly refreshing and citrusy classic cocktail made with gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, and fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients
- 3/4 ounce gin
- 3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau or triple sec
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- Dash or barspoon Absinthe (optional)
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake vigorously for 15 seconds and double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon or orange.
Notes
Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano can be found with the other aperitifs (Campari and Aperol) and specialty liqueurs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 121
- Sugar: 12.5g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 12.8g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Protein: 0.2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: corpse revivor 2 cocktail
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