• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Ruhlman
  • About Ruhlman
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Press
  • My Books
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • About Ruhlman
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Press
  • My Books
×

FCH: The Corpse Reviver #2

Published: Mar 12, 2021 · Modified: Apr 9, 2021 by Michael Ruhlman · Leave a Comment

The Corpse Reviver #2 is a deceptively complex cocktail very much worth making if you have the ingredients. It's basically a sour—orange liqueur balancing the lemon juice (the same happens with lime in a margarita), but there is also the floral notes of the Lillet Blanc, a French aperitif, and the ingenious addition of absinthe.

The origins of the Corpse Reviver #2 (the #1 is 2 parts each Cognac and Calvados and 1 part sweet vermouth) reputedly dates to the late 1800s, but all seem to agree that it was popularized by Harry Craddock, bartender at London's Savoy Hotel with the 1930 publication of his book, The Savoy Cocktail Book.

I don't think it ever caught on in the US (we were still under prohibition when it was popular in London). And by the time WWII was over, whiskey was the common spirit here. As gin became ascendant in the 50s and 60s (to be supplanted by Vodka), I don't know if anyone knew about the Corpse Reviver #1 or #2.

My guess is that in the late 90s, and the Aughts, the craft cocktail movement happened. Bartenders scoured old tomes for ideas. I'll have to make a #1 because that doesn't seem to be that popular. I'm very happy that the Corpse Reviver #2 was revived. It's a splendid cocktail!

corpse reviver #2

Corpse Reviver #2

A delicious gin-based cocktail, seasoned with absinthe.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Cocktail
Cuisine English
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ounce gin
  • 1 ounce Lillet Blanc
  • 1 ounce orange liqueur preferably Cointreau
  • 1 ounce lemon juice
  • ½ tsp absinthe
  • 1 orange twist

Instructions
 

  • Combine all ingredients in a shaker. Fill with ice. Swirl till well chilled. Strain into a chilled coup. Garnish with orange twist.
Keyword gin cocktail
« FCH: "The Sun Also Rises"
Egg Foo Yung »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to Newsletter!

Hi, I'm Michael Ruhlman, an award winning author and trained cook who writes about chefs, food and cooking, among other things.

More about me →

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Accessibility Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up for my bimonthly newsletter.

Contact

  • Contact
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2020 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme