Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Rinse a chilled coupe glass with absinthe and discard excess
Add remaining ingredients to a shaker filled with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Double strain into the prepared glass
Garnish with a lemon twist
Glassware
Absinthe-rinsed chilled coupe glass
Garnish
Expressed lemon twist
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Use only a light absinthe rinse or the drink becomes overly anise-heavy
Shake hard and double strain for silky texture
Chill the coupe well so the cocktail stays crisp
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Corpse Reviver #2.
Corpse Reviver #1
A potent, spirit-forward pre-Prohibition reviver featuring Cognac, Calvados, and sweet vermouth—a sophisticated morning-after remedy with rich fruit and herbal complexity.
Corpse Reviver #3
Savoy-era reviver—equal parts cognac, Fernet‑Branca, and white crème de menthe stirred icy cold.
Obituary Cocktail
A potent and aromatic spin on the classic Gin Martini, distinguished by a haunting whisper of absinthe. Born in New Orleans, this cocktail offers complex, herbaceous, and licorice-tinged flavors.
Other Variations
Savoy Corpse Reviver
Brandy, Fernet Branca and crème de menthe—an herbaceous spin.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Harry Craddock codified the Corpse Reviver #2 in the 1930 *Savoy Cocktail Book*, advising it be drunk "before 11 a.m." for the quickest results. The equal-parts template likely evolved from earlier 19th‑century hangover cures, and originally called for Kina Lillet. After that quinine aperitif vanished, bartenders turned to Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano to maintain the drink's bracing balance.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
White Lady
Harry MacElhone's gin, Cointreau and lemon sour—creamy with egg white and a benchmark of Prohibition elegance.
Bee's Knees
Prohibition-era gin, lemon, and honey shaken into a bright, velvety sour whose sweetness once softened rough bathtub gin.
Lavender Bee's Knees
A modern classic that elevates the Prohibition-era Bee's Knees with the aromatic allure of lavender, showcasing the beautiful synergy between botanical gin, tart lemon, sweet honey, and herbal lavender.