Corpse Reviver No. 2 Cocktail Recipe

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a pre-prohibition cocktail, dating back to the mid-19th century.

“It’s not just a drink, it’s a category in itself,” explains Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. There are essentially four Corpse Reviver cocktails, and there are many variations of the four. 

Here, we’re going to show you how to make the Corpse Reviver No. 2, the most popular of the four, using a recipe that Rico considers the best.

“It’s one of my favorite drinks of all time,” shares Rico. This classic cocktail recipe mixes Gin, Triple Sec, Aromatized Wine, Lemon Juice, served in an Absinthe-rinsed glass. 

Yet as complex as it tastes, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is an easy to make cocktail with equal parts everything.

How To Make the Corpse Reviver No. 2 

What You’ll Need

• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Boston Shaker
• Citrus Elbow
• Paring Knife
• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Coupe Glass
• Peeler

How to Mix

1. Cut one Lemon in half using a Paring Knife. Set aside the other Lemon half for garnishing later.
2. Juice the Lemon half with a Citrus Press directly into a Jigger. 
3. Measure and pour the Lemon Juice from the Jigger into the smaller tin of your Boston Shaker.
4. Measure and pour Triple Sec into the Shaker, followed by Lillet Blanc.
5. Measure and pour Beefeater Gin into the Shaker.
6. Measure and pour Simple Syrup into the Shaker.
7. Fill the Shaker with Ice Cubes, connect the smaller tin to the larger tin, and shake vigorously until cold.
8. Open the Shaker and pour the cocktail through a Fine Mesh Strainer directly into an Absinthe-rinsed Coupe Glass.
9. Use a Peeler to peel a twist of Lemon Zest, then place it directly into your Glass.
10. Sip and enjoy!

 The History of the Corpse Reviver No. 2 

The Corpse Reviver is a collection of cocktails, many of whose recipes have vanished over the years, leaving only four main versions in use today.

The earliest written mention of the Corpse Reviver dates back to 1861 in an English weekly magazine, but the first recipe didn’t appear in a cocktail book until 10 years later. 

The Corpse Reviver No. 1 and No. 2, as we know them, were featured in a cocktail book in 1930 and continue to be enjoyed today.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is the most commonly ordered and most popular of the Corpse Reviver drink family.

Tips for Making the Perfect Corpse Reviver No. 2 Cocktail

• Absinthe-rinsed Glass
  “All we want is the aroma of Absinthe, not the full flavor or the full shot – we just want that nice Anise flavor and aroma coming up through the drink,” explains Rico.
  
  The easiest way to Absinthe-rinse your glass is to add a few dashes of Absinthe to a glass filled with Crushed Ice, let it sit for a moment, then discard the Crushed Ice.Even when you discard the Ice and the Absinthe, the Glass retains the essence, aroma, and flavor of the Absinthe.
• Squeeze Fresh Lemon Juice
  We say it every time, but if you want to make a great drink, you need to use great quality ingredients. It’s that simple.

  Store-bought bottle stuff simply isn’t as fresh or tasty. Don’t skip on quality – always press fresh!

Variations of the Corpse Reviver No. 2

While it would seem natural to name the Corpse Reviver No. 1 and the Corpse Reviver No. 3 since they belong to the same drink family, the truth is, they’re very much drinks in their own right. 

• Corpse Reviver No. Blue
  This variation essentially follows the same recipe as the Corpse Reviver No. 2 but swaps Triple Sec for Blue Curaçao. Because everyone loves a blue drink!Check out the recipe for a Corpse Reviver No. Blue.
• With Yellow Chartreuse instead of Triple Sec
  A popular and modern version of the Corpse Reviver No. 2 substitutes the Triple Sec for Yellow Chartreuse.

  This not only changes the color of the drink but the Yellow Chartreuse introduces a truly unique herbaceous flavor profile that’s simultaneously minty fresh, honey sweet and zesty.

• Try different Gin types
  Experiment with different Gin types to create different notes and accents. We prefer London Dry Gin, but you could substitute this for Old Tom Gin or Plymouth Gin for example.

• Swap Gin for Whiskey
  So-called Kentucky Corpse Revivers follow the same recipe on this page but swap Gin for Whiskey to give the drink a completely new flavor profile. Rye or Bourbon Whiskey are two popular choices.

• Amber Vermouth instead of Lillet Blanc
  The Corpse Reviver No. 2 was said to have been originally made with Kina Lillet. Unfortunately, since Kina Lillet no longer exists, you can experiment with Dry Vermouth, such as an Amber Vermouth, instead of Lillet Blanc.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for the Corpse Reviver No. 2

Serve the Corpse Reviver No. 2 in an Absinthe-rinsed Coupe Glass. See the tips section above to learn how to rinse your glass in Absinthe to create the aroma that’s so essential to this drink. Garnish with a Lemon Zest twist and you’ve got the perfect cocktail.