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This Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe is a classic cocktail that’s crisp, tart, and perfectly balanced! It’s one delicious sour cocktail that’s just as unique as its name.
Here’s a classic cocktail that’s as unique as its name—the Corpse Reviver No 2! To be honest, we were a little wary of this cocktail at first because of its moniker. But it turns out that the Corpse Reviver has nothing scary or ghoulish about it. In fact, it’s incredibly tasty.
It’s a classic gin sour cocktail that’s tart and zingy from lemon juice and orange liqueur, with a hint of licorice on the finish. It’s truly stunning—and the name is a fun party trick to impress all your friends.
Ingredients in a Corpse Reviver No 2
So, why is it called a Corpse Reviver? The Corpse Reviver is a family of cocktails with a humorous name: indicating that the strength of the drink was enough to bring a body back from the grave. The most famous Corpse Reviver that’s still popular today is Corpse Reviver No 2,first printed in the renowned Savoy Cocktail book in 1930.
It’s a classic gin sour cocktail, a mixed drink made with liquor, citrus, and sweetener. In fact, the drink is very similar to the makeup of a Margarita or Sidecar. The ingredients in a Corpse Reviver No 2 cocktail are:
- Gin
- Lemon juice
- Cointreau
- Dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc
- Absinthe
Dry vermouth vs Lillet Blanc
One unique element of the Corpse Reviver is the addition of dry vermouth or Lillet Blanc to the basic formula of a sour cocktail. The original drink was made with Kina Lillet, a wine-based aperitif that is no longer made (production stopped in 1986). So these days, here’s what’s you can substitute:
- Dry vermouth: Dry vermouth is a fortified wine and it’s the most basic, easy to find liquor (it’s used in a dry martini and lots of other cocktails).
- Lillet Blanc: Lillet Blanc is the modern version of Kina Lillet. It’s is a popular aromatized wine flavored with herbs and citrus. You can use it in lots of cocktails, like a Vesper Martini, Lillet Spritz or Lillet G&T Cocktail.
- Cocchi Americano: Many bartenders use Cocchi Americano in a Corpse Reviver these days, since it’s considered the closest to Kina Lillet. This is a more specialty liqueur, so this option is more for cocktail connoisseurs.
More about absinthe
The most unique ingredient in the Corpse Reviver cocktail is absinthe. It was illegal in the US for almost 100 years, and famous painters like Degas, Manet and Picasso have even immortalized it in their paintings. But don’t worry: scientists of today have determined that absinthe is perfectly safe consumed in moderation. Here’s what to know about it:
- Absinthe is a green anise-flavored spirit made from botanicals—wormwood, anise, fennel and other herbs—that tastes herbal, with a strong black licorice finish. It was illegal in the US from 1912 to 2007.
- Is absinthe hallucinogenic? No! But this is why it was illegal in Europe and the US for almost 100 years. It became very popular in the 1840s, but started to be unfairly associated with violent crimes. Modern research has confirmed absinthe is no more harmful than any other alcohol. (Here are some more absinthe myths to debunk.)
- Is it worth buying? Yes, if you’re an adventurous cocktail drinker! It’s in several other classic absinthe cocktails like the Sazerac, La Louisiane and Death in the Afternoon. If you don’t have it, Pastis or Pernod make a good substitute.
How to make a Corpse Reviver No 2
Got all those ingredients? After that, it’s quick and easy to make the Corpse Reviver No 2:
- Shake in a cocktail shaker. Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake (Don’t have one? Use a mason jar!)
- Strain into a glass and garnish. Strain the drink into a cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange or lemon wedge.
Variations on the Corpse Reviver
Want to add a little spin on a Corpse Reviver? Here are a few quick variations to get your wheels turning:
- Lavender Corpse Reviver: Stir in a hint of Lavender Simple Syrup (to taste).
- Rosemary Corpse Reviver: Stir in a hint of Rosemary Simple Syrup (to taste).
Another drink with a macabre name? Try the Zombie.
Corpse Reviver Cocktail
The Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe is a classic cocktail that’s crisp, tart and perfectly balanced! It’s one heck of a drink…just as unique as its name.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce Cointreau (or Grand Marnier)
- 1 ounce dry vermouth, Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
- ½ teaspoon absinthe
- For the garnish: Orange peel or orange wedge
Instructions
- Add the gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, dry vermouth, and absinthe to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with ice and shake it until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. If desired, garnish with an orange peel or orange wedge.
Related drinks: White Lady, Margarita, and more
Because the Corpse Reviver is a classic sour cocktail, it’s related to lots of well known drinks. Here are a few that are very similar:
- The classic White Lady cocktail is very close to a Corpse Reviver! There’s no Lillet Blanc or absinthe, but otherwise it’s the same (without the egg white).
- A Sidecar is also a close relative! It uses Cognac, but the formula is the same (without Lillet Blanc and absinthe).
- A Gin Sour and Gin Fizz are similar drinks using gin, lemon and simple syrup.
- The Margarita is related; it has tequila and lime instead of gin and lemon.
Really, really, really delish and very yummy! I am so glad I purchased all the necessary ingredients to make this amazing sipper!! Soooo good and my husband could not stop commenting on the flavors! Perfect, absolutely perfect! THANK YOU!!! Addicted to your cocktail recipes!!!
Deliciously tart and mellow cocktail. Our favorite. Thank you
Sounds like someone had a few too many corpse revivers between writing the ingredients list and the instructions…..
Updated and thank you!