Corpse Reviver No. 2
Although the name might have you think otherwise, Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a classic cocktail recipe that dates back nearly 150 years! It’s crisp and balanced, but don’t be mistaken: it packs a big punch.
What Is a Corpse Reviver Cocktail?
The corpse reviver is a family of classic cocktails that originated in the 1870s, or perhaps even earlier by some accounts. There are several numbered versions and they’re all meant to “wake the dead”—or, in practical terms, cure hangovers and give you a boost in the morning.
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is one of the best known versions, made with gin, Grand Marnier or another orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe (which is used to rinse the glass).
The crisp and balanced flavor profile is refreshing and complex, and this is definitely one of those cocktails that’s much more potent than it tastes. If you’re nervous about the absinthe, don’t worry—you’ll swirl it around the glass and then pour it out. This adds the aroma of absinthe to the cocktail, but you’re not getting its full effects.
With a name like Corpse Reviver No. 2, I love making this cocktail for Halloween parties, but it’s often served for brunches too, so you can make it year-round whenever you need some reviving!
Ingredients for Corpse Reviver No. 2
Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need for this recipe. For the full measurements, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Absinthe – Absinthe is a potent anise-flavored spirit that gives the cocktail its signature herbal notes.
- London Dry Gin – This classic gin has a juniper flavor and dry finish.
- Lillet Blanc – A French aromatized wine, Lillet Blanc adds complexity and depth to the cocktail.
- Orange Liqueur – I like to use Grand Marnier.
- Lemon Juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the drink.
- Orange Juice – Again, freshly squeezed is best. The orange juice provides a touch of sweetness and balances out the tartness.
How to Make Corpse Reviver No. 2
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for full printable instructions.
- Rinse the glass. Rinse the inside of a chilled glass with absinthe.
- Shake it. Shake the gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur and citrus juices in a shaker with ice.
- Serve. Strain into the rinsed glass and enjoy.
Tips for Making Corpse Reviver No. 2
- Use fresh ingredients. Bottled citrus juices have a flat, lackluster flavor compared to fresh.
- Measure accurately. Use a jigger to measure the ingredients to ensure consistency from one cocktail to the next and balance.
- Chill the glassware. A chilled glass helps maintain the cocktail’s temperature without watering it down by serving it over ice.
How to Make Corpse Reviver No. 2 for a Crowd
When making a Corpse Reviver No. 2 for a crowd, the process is a little bit different:
- Combine the gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, lemon juice, and orange juice in a large pitcher and refrigerate.
- Chill the glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes. Once ready to serve, rinse each glass with absinthe and discard the excess.
- Pour the cocktail into the chilled glasses.
Halloween Snacks to Serve With a Corpse Reviver No. 2
- Halloween Dessert Board
- Mummy Hot Dogs
- Easy Dirt Pudding Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Bites with Bourbon Maple Cream Cheese Dip
- Gingerbread Mummies
- Easy Halloween Layer Cake
- Pumpkin Dip
More Cocktail Recipes
- Honey Deuce Cocktail
- Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
- Orange Crush Cocktail
- Blackberry Margarita
- Cranberry Moscow Mule
- Apple Cider Mimosa
- French 75 Cocktail
- Lemonade Gin Mojito Cocktail Recipe
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Get the Recipe: Corpse Reviver No. 2
Ingredients
- Absinthe, to rinse
- ¾ ounce London dry gin
- ¾ ounce Lillet blanc
- ¾ ounce orange liqueur
- ¾ ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- ¾ ounce orange juice, freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Rinse the inside of a chilled coupe or cocktail glass with absinthe, discard the excess and set the glass aside. Add the gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur and lemon juice into a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into the prepared glass.