Corpse Reviver #2
A legendary Prohibition-era cocktail, the Corpse Reviver #2 was famously described as the perfect "hair of the dog" drink. It's a bright, complex, and surprisingly refreshing sour that is perfectly balanced between its five ingredients.
Ingredients
- ¾ oz Gin
- ¾ oz Lillet Blanc
- ¾ oz Cointreau
- ¾ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 dash Absinthe
- Garnish: Orange Peel or Cherry
Instructions
- Prepare the Glass: Chill a coupe or martini glass. Add a dash of absinthe to the chilled glass, swirl it around to coat the entire interior, and then discard the excess.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the gin, Lillet Blanc, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the shaker is ice-cold.
- Strain: Double-strain the mixture into the prepared, absinthe-rinsed glass to ensure a smooth, clean texture.
- Garnish: Express the oils from a fresh orange peel over the surface of the drink and drop it in, or simply garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Pro Tips for Perfection
Equal Parts is Law: The magic of the Corpse Reviver #2 lies in its perfect "equal parts" ratio. Do not alter the proportions. The balance between the botanical gin, floral Lillet, sweet Cointreau, and sour lemon is what makes this drink a timeless classic.
The Absinthe Rinse: The absinthe is not meant to be a main flavor but an aromatic whisper. A "dash" or a rinse is all that's needed. This provides an intoxicating anise aroma that prepares the palate for the complex citrus and herbal notes of the drink itself. Overdoing the absinthe will easily overpower the cocktail.