Corpse Reviver No. 2
The Corpse Reviver No. 2: The Hangover Cure That Became a Classic
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 first appeared in print in Harry Craddock's famous "The Savoy Cocktail Book" published in 1930, though the drink likely existed earlier. Craddock was the head bartender at London's Savoy Hotel and included several "Corpse Reviver" cocktails in his book, all intended as morning-after hangover cures. He famously noted that "four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again."
The "No. 2" designation indicates this was one of several Corpse Reviver recipes. The Corpse Reviver No. 1 used cognac, calvados, and sweet vermouth, but the No. 2 with gin became far more popular and is the version most people refer to simply as "the Corpse Reviver."
What makes the Corpse Reviver No. 2 work is its perfect balance of equal parts gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice, with just a rinse of absinthe. The Lillet provides wine-like qualities and subtle sweetness, the Cointreau adds orange notes, the lemon brings necessary acidity, and the absinthe rinse gives an herbal complexity without overpowering the drink.
The cocktail essentially disappeared after World War II but experienced a revival during the craft cocktail movement when bartenders rediscovered Craddock's recipes and began using proper absinthe after it was re-legalized in many countries in the early 2000s.
RECIPE:
¾ oz gin
¾ oz Lillet Blanc
¾ oz Cointreau
¾ oz fresh lemon juice
Absinthe rinse
Orange peel for garnish
Method:
Rinse chilled coupe glass with absinthe and discard excess
Add gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and lemon juice to shaker with ice
Shake well until chilled
Strain into prepared glass
Garnish with orange peel