Corpse Reviver No. 2: The Zesty Cocktail You Didn’t Know You Needed

Introduction

The first time I ordered a Corpse Reviver No. 2, I did it mostly because of the name. I was sitting at a speakeasy-style bar, thumbing through an old-school cocktail menu that read like a dusty encyclopedia of forgotten drinks. Most of them were classics I recognized—Old Fashioneds, Sidecars, a few twists on the Martini—but then I saw it: “Corpse Reviver No. 2.” I laughed. The bartender, a quiet guy with wire-rimmed glasses and the calm presence of someone who knows a lot about bitters, said without missing a beat, “You’ll love it. Citrus-forward. Bright. Kind of wakes you up—hence the name.” I said, “Let’s do it.”

What arrived in front of me was a delicate coupe with a pale, golden shimmer and the barest hint of anise floating from the rim. I took a sip, and I remember literally sitting up straighter. It was sharp, citrusy, herbal, with this smooth coolness underneath it all. You could taste the gin, but the Lillet made it soft. The lemon kept it bright, and the absinthe—just a rinse—lifted it like a breeze. I instantly understood the name. It didn’t punch you in the face. It gently pulled you back to life.

Since that night, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 has become one of my go-to recommendations for anyone who thinks they don’t like gin, or who wants something “refreshing but not boring.” I’ve made it on Sunday mornings when brunch accidentally turned into an all-day affair. I’ve poured it for friends on summer nights when they needed a break from vodka sodas. And I’ve stirred one up for myself after long days when the fog in my brain needed a little citrus-and-gin jolt to reset the mood.

It’s a drink with history, elegance, and just the right amount of drama.

The Perfect Drink for Brunch, First Rounds & Bright, Boozy Wake-Ups

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 wasn’t made for sipping on a beach or curling up by the fire. It’s a cocktail for kicking off the day (or the night) with a zing. It’s got that classic cocktail balance—strong, tart, slightly sweet—but with a lively, almost theatrical edge. It’s what you drink when you need a reset. A wake-up call. A little sparkle to shake off the dust.

Its origins go back to the 1930s, when “reviver” cocktails were designed to shake you out of a hangover or get your appetite going before a big meal. And while I don’t recommend drinking them before noon on a workday, I can definitely vouch for their power on a slow weekend morning, or as a first drink that makes you feel like the night is going somewhere interesting.

One of my most memorable Corpse Reviver moments was during a rooftop brunch in early spring—sunlight just starting to feel warm again, everything in bloom, and someone asked if I could make “something other than mimosas.” I mixed up a tray of Corpse Revivers, chilled the glasses, and watched everyone’s eyes light up at the first sip. It was crisp. Unexpected. Zesty in all the best ways.

It’s also one of those drinks that looks simple but has layers. It’s complex enough to impress a cocktail nerd, but accessible enough for someone who’s just dipping their toes into gin. And despite the name, it’s a drink full of life.

Picture Gallery:

Why Gin, Cointreau, Lillet & Lemon Create Such a Brilliant Balance

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is made of four equal parts (plus an absinthe rinse), and that symmetry is part of its beauty. Each ingredient pulls its weight and brings something unique to the glass.

Gin: The base spirit, offering structure and botanicals. A classic London dry gin works beautifully here—something clean and crisp with a juniper backbone. You want it to play nice with the citrus and not overpower the delicate balance.

Cointreau (or Triple Sec): This brings the sweet citrus element—orange flavor, light bitterness, and just enough sweetness to balance the lemon juice. Cointreau is preferred for its clarity and higher proof.

Lillet Blanc: A French aromatized wine that’s lightly floral, slightly fruity, and a touch bitter. It softens the sharpness of the lemon and gin and adds a subtle, silky texture. Cocchi Americano is sometimes used as a substitute—it’s a little more bitter and herbal, which works well if you want more bite.

Fresh Lemon Juice: The acid. The brightness. The pulse of the drink. It ties everything together and gives that refreshing, zippy profile that makes this cocktail such a stunner.

Absinthe: Just a rinse—enough to coat the inside of the glass and add an herbal, almost ghostly whisper of anise. It’s what takes the drink from “nice” to “whoa.” You don’t want to taste it first—you want it to hover in the background like a cool breeze.

When you combine these ingredients in the right proportions, the result is vibrant, clean, and subtly layered. It’s citrusy without being cloying, boozy without being harsh, and herbal without being overwhelming.

How to Make a Corpse Reviver No. 2 (With a Few Optional Tweaks)

Classic Corpse Reviver No. 2 Recipe

Ingredients:

• 0.75 oz gin
• 0.75 oz Cointreau (or quality triple sec)
• 0.75 oz Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano)
• 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
• Absinthe, for rinsing
• Ice
• Optional: lemon twist for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chill a coupe glass and rinse it with absinthe—swirl it around and dump the excess.
2. In a shaker filled with ice, add gin, Cointreau, Lillet, and lemon juice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.
4. Strain into the chilled, absinthe-rinsed glass.
5. Garnish with a lemon twist if you’re feeling fancy.

Pro Tips:

• Use fresh lemon juice—bottled will dull the entire flavor profile.
• Shake hard to get a slight froth and super-cold texture.
• Don’t overdo the absinthe. A rinse is plenty.

FAQ Section:

Is this drink really a hangover cure?
Historically, yes—but mostly tongue-in-cheek. It’s strong and sharp, and it feels reviving, but don’t go too hard. As Harry Craddock once said, “Four of these taken in swift succession will un-revive the corpse again.”

What’s the best gin to use?
Something clean and classic. Too much botanicals or florals will clash with the orange and absinthe.

Can I use Cocchi Americano instead of Lillet?
Yes—and many bartenders prefer it for its slightly more bitter, complex edge.

Is absinthe required?
Technically yes, for authenticity—but you can use pastis or another anise-flavored substitute in a pinch.

What’s the right time to drink this?
Honestly? Anytime. But it really shines as a brunch cocktail or a bold aperitif before dinner.

Variations:

• Corpse Reviver No. 1: Cognac, Calvados, and sweet vermouth—a darker, richer cousin.
• Tequila Reviver: Sub tequila for gin, and try with lime juice for a south-of-the-border twist.
• Herbal Reviver: Use a more botanical gin and garnish with thyme or basil.
• Spritz Reviver: Top with sparkling water or prosecco for a lighter, bubbly version.
• Frozen Reviver: Blend with crushed ice for a slushy brunch treat.

When to Serve It:

Brunch Parties
Ditch the Bloody Mary. This is the cocktail that actually wakes you up—and tastes amazing.

Cocktail Hour
A perfect way to open the evening with something zesty and refined.

Warm Weather Days
It’s light, crisp, and citrusy—ideal for sipping on patios and rooftops.

Dinner Parties
Serve it before the meal as a lively aperitif that gets people talking.

Late-Night Catch-Ups
It’s got a vibe—elegant but a little cheeky. Makes great company for good conversation.

Occasions to Serve It:

• Mother’s Day brunches with a twist
• First drinks on vacation
• Celebrations that call for something bright and unexpected
• Cocktail tastings and mixology nights
• Any time you need to feel refreshed, revived, and a little bit sophisticated

Conclusion:

The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is one of those rare drinks that straddles eras. It’s old-school but modern, sharp but balanced, playful but polished. It’s the kind of cocktail that makes you feel like you know a secret—like you’ve graduated from the standard lineup and unlocked a new level of flavor.

It’s also wildly versatile: brunch, pre-dinner, post-nap, whenever. It brings life back into the room—whether that’s through its zingy citrus, its whisper of absinthe, or the way it makes you sit up a little straighter and say, “Okay, now we’re drinking.”

So the next time you’re feeling sluggish, stuck, or just plain bored with the usual drinks, make yourself a Corpse Reviver No. 2. Shake it cold. Sip it slow. And let the name do what it promises—bring you back to life, one zesty, elegant sip at a time.