What is the Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail?

The Corpse Reviver #2 is a classic pre-Prohibition gin cocktail designed as a morning or brunch drink to rejuvenate, featuring London Dry gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe.

Who popularized the Corpse Reviver #2?

The Corpse Reviver #2 was popularized in the 1930s through Harry Craddock's influential Savoy Cocktail Book.

What are the main ingredients of the Corpse Reviver #2?

The cocktail contains 1 oz London Dry gin, 1 oz Cocchi Americano or Lillet Blanc, 1 oz Cointreau, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe, garnished with orange peel.

How is the Corpse Reviver #2 traditionally served?

It is traditionally shaken with ice, strained into a chilled martini or coupe glass, and garnished with orange peel.

How does the Corpse Reviver #2 differ from the Corpse Reviver #1?

Unlike the Corpse Reviver #1, which uses brandy, the #2 focuses on a gin base with bright, citrus-forward, and herbal flavors.

Why is it called the 'Corpse Reviver'?

It was designed as a 'hair of the dog' drink to revive those suffering from hangovers, hence the name 'Corpse Reviver'.

The Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail Recipe

Wayne Munday
Jan 25, 2021
2 min read

Updated: Dec 16

The Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail is a celebrated classic that harks back to pre-Prohibition era mixology, designed as a rejuvenating “hair of the dog” drink for brunch or morning enjoyment. First gaining prominence in the 1930s through Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book, it stands out for its gin-based composition, blending London Dry gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe or pastis. Renowned for its crisp, citrus-forward, and slightly bitter herbal profile, the Corpse Reviver #2 is traditionally served straight up in a chilled coupe glass, often garnished with a lemon twist. Its enduring appeal reflects both historical significance and its elegant balance of sweet, sour, and aromatic flavours, making it a staple in classic cocktail culture worldwide.

The Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail is a classic pre-Prohibition drink that emerged in the early 20th century as part of a family of “Corpse Reviver” cocktails, designed as morning or brunch drinks to “revive” those suffering from hangovers. Its exact origins are somewhat murky, but it was popularized in the 1930s, appearing in the influential cocktail book The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) by Harry Craddock.

The cocktail is a gin-based blend, distinguished from its sibling, the Corpse Reviver #1 (which uses brandy), by its bright, citrus-forward flavour. The recipe traditionally calls for London Dry gin, Cointreau (orange liqueur), Lillet Blanc (or Kina Lillet historically), fresh lemon juice, and a dash of absinthe or pastis. The combination delivers a crisp, herbal, slightly bitter, and citrusy profile, perfect for a rejuvenating sip.

The drink gained fame as a “hair of the dog” remedy and was celebrated for its elegant balance of sweet, sour, and bitter elements. Over the decades, the Corpse Reviver #2 has become a mainstay in classic cocktail bars worldwide, often served straight up in a chilled coupe glass with a lemon twist garnish. Its enduring popularity lies in its bright, refreshing flavor, historical charm, and role in the revival of pre-Prohibition mixology.

The Corpse Reviver #2 Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients

1 oz of gin
1 oz of Cocchi Americano or Lillet Blanc
1 oz of Cointreau
1 oz of fresh lemon juice
1 dash absinthe
Use orange peel as a garnish

Assembly

Add all ingredients together in an ice-filled cocktail shaker and shake until chilled. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with orange peel.