Corpse Reviver No. 2
This classic gin cocktail is bright, citrusy, lightly herbal, and just sweet enough. Equal parts make it easy to remember, while a tiny absinthe rinse gives it its famous edge.
- Total time
- 5 min
- Yield
- 1 cocktail
- Difficulty
- Easy
Prep 5mCook 0mBritishDrinks
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a pre-Prohibition cocktail made famous by Harry Craddock’s 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. Despite the spooky name, it is a crisp, balanced drink built from gin, orange liqueur, aromatized wine, and fresh lemon juice.
It belongs to the “equal parts” family of cocktails, which makes it friendly for home bartenders. The only special move is rinsing the glass with a small amount of absinthe. That means you swirl it around the inside of the glass, then pour out the extra.
Serve it very cold in a coupe or small cocktail glass. It is a strong drink, so sip slowly and enjoy it with snacks or before dinner.
01What you'll need
Ingredients
7 items · 1 cocktail
- 3/4 ounce London dry gin
- 3/4 ounce Cointreau or another quality orange liqueur
- 3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano
- 3/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 teaspoon absinthe, for rinsing the glass
- Ice, for shaking
- Lemon twist or orange twist, for garnish, optional
02How to make it
Step-by-step
1. Chill the glass
Place a coupe or small cocktail glass in the freezer for a few minutes. If you are short on time, fill it with ice water while you measure the drink.
2. Rinse with absinthe
Pour the absinthe into the chilled glass. Swirl it around so it coats the inside, then discard any extra. This adds aroma without making the drink taste strongly of absinthe.
3. Measure the liquids
Add the gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker. Use a jigger or small measuring cup so the equal parts stay balanced.
4. Add ice
Fill the shaker about two-thirds full with ice. Larger cubes are helpful because they chill the drink quickly without watering it down too fast.
5. Shake until cold
Seal the shaker and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds. The shaker should feel very cold on the outside. Shaking chills the cocktail and slightly dilutes it, which softens the alcohol.
6. Strain the cocktail
Empty any ice water from the glass if you used it. Strain the drink into the absinthe-rinsed glass, leaving the ice behind in the shaker.
7. Garnish and serve
Add a lemon twist or orange twist if you like. Serve right away while the cocktail is cold and bright.
03From our kitchen
Cook's tips
- Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice tastes flatter and can make the cocktail too sharp or dull.
- Lillet Blanc gives a softer, slightly sweet drink. Cocchi Americano is a little more bitter and closer to many older versions of the recipe.
- No absinthe? Use pastis, Herbsaint, or a tiny rinse of an anise-flavored spirit. If you dislike anise, you can skip it, but the drink will taste less traditional.
- For a small batch, combine the gin, Cointreau, Lillet, and lemon juice in equal parts up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate. Shake each serving with ice just before pouring.
- Do not store a fully shaken cocktail for later. Once shaken with ice, the drink is diluted and should be served right away.
- If the cocktail tastes too tart, check your lemon. Some lemons are very sharp. Add a small bar spoon of simple syrup only if needed, but try the classic version first.
Cook's note
The Corpse Reviver family was originally marketed as “hair of the dog” morning drinks, but this version is better treated as a strong aperitif. It contains several alcoholic ingredients, so one serving is plenty for most occasions.
04Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What does a Corpse Reviver No. 2 taste like?
It is tart, citrusy, and lightly sweet, with orange notes from the liqueur and a gentle herbal aroma from the absinthe rinse. The gin keeps it crisp rather than syrupy.
Can I use triple sec instead of Cointreau?
Yes, but choose a good-quality triple sec if you can. Cheaper orange liqueurs can taste very sweet or artificial, which changes the balance of the drink.
Is Lillet Blanc the same as dry vermouth?
No. Lillet Blanc is a French aromatized wine with citrusy, honeyed notes. Dry vermouth is more herbal and less sweet. In a pinch, dry vermouth will make a drink, but it will not taste like the classic version.
Why is this cocktail shaken and not stirred?
Cocktails with citrus juice are usually shaken. Shaking blends the juice with the spirits, chills the drink quickly, and gives it a slightly lighter texture.
Can I make this without alcohol?
Not as a true Corpse Reviver No. 2, because every main ingredient except lemon juice is alcoholic. For a zero-proof drink with a similar idea, mix nonalcoholic gin, orange syrup or alcohol-free orange aperitif, lemon juice, and a very tiny drop of anise extract.
05Per serving
Nutrition facts
Nutrition Facts
1 cocktail
Amount per serving
% Daily Value*
- Total Fat0 g
- 0%
- Saturated Fat0 g
- 0%
- Cholesterol0 mg
- 0%
- Sodium1 mg
- 0%
- Total Carbohydrate9 g
- 3%
- Dietary Fiber0 g
- 0%
- Total Sugars8 g
- Protein0 g
- 0%
- Vitamin D0 mcg
- 0%
- Calcium1 mg
- 0%
- Iron0 mg
- 0%
- Potassium23 mg
- 0%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
05Keep cooking
You might also like
DrinksRhubarb & Elderflower Gin Punch
Tart rhubarb, floral elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon, and dry gin make a bright spring punch for grown-up gatherings. Mix the syrup ahead, then add bubbles right before serving.
DrinksGooseberry & Elderflower Fizz
Tart gooseberries and fragrant elderflower make a bright, lightly sweet summer drink. Serve it over plenty of ice with sparkling water for a nonalcoholic fizz that feels special but is easy to make.
DrinksSnowball Cocktail
A Snowball cocktail is creamy, fizzy, and lightly citrusy, made with advocaat, lime, and chilled lemon-lime soda. It is a simple holiday drink that feels festive without needing a shaker or special bar gear.
DrinksWild Berri Bramble
This wild berry bramble is a bright gin cocktail with lemon, crushed ice, and a slow drizzle of blackberry liqueur. It looks dramatic in the glass, but the method is simple and friendly for a home bar.