Home
Recipes
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails
Corpse Reviver #2 – Gin Recipe

Corpse Reviver #2 – Gin Recipe

By What’s Baking

A perfectly balanced, citrus-forward revival cocktail with herbal depth and a haunting anise finish that lives up to its reputation as a morning-after remedy.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A crystal-clear coupe glass captured from above, showcasing the pale golden liquid of the Corpse Reviver #2 with a single expressed orange peel floating delicately atop. The cocktail glistens under soft studio lighting, highlighting its silky texture and subtle translucence. A close-up reveals the perfect meniscus where the liquid meets the glass rim, while a side angle captures the elegant stem and base. The background features a dark marble bar top with subtle vintage bar tools partially visible, creating depth and evoking a classic speakeasy atmosphere. Beads of condensation form on the exterior of the glass, suggesting the perfect serving temperature.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">22.5ml gin</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">22.5ml Cointreau (or triple sec)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">22.5ml Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">22.5ml fresh lemon juice</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">5ml absinthe (for rinse)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Orange peel for garnish</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Chilled coupe glass</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Peeler or small knife (for garnish)</li> </ul>
BAKE SMARTER

Kitchen Converter

Quickly switch between common baking units without leaving the recipe.

Convert
⇄
Result—

Volume uses US cups, tablespoons, and teaspoons. Converting weight to volume depends on the ingredient.

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Place your coupe glass in the freezer for at least 5 minutes to properly chill. A properly chilled glass is essential for maintaining the cocktail's temperature and preventing premature dilution. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Remove the chilled glass and add the absinthe. Swirl it around to coat the entire interior surface of the glass, then discard any excess. This rinse will impart a subtle anise aroma without overwhelming the cocktail. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Fill your cocktail shaker with fresh, cold ice – ideally larger cubes that will chill without diluting too quickly. Add the gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and fresh lemon juice. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. The cocktail needs proper dilution and aeration to achieve its signature silky texture and perfect balance of flavors. You'll know it's ready when the shaker becomes frosty on the outside. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Double-strain through both a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into your absinthe-rinsed coupe glass. This ensures no ice chips or lemon pulp make it into the final presentation. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Cut a thin piece of orange peel, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith. Hold it skin-side down about 5cm above the cocktail and squeeze gently to express the oils over the surface. You should see a fine mist land on the cocktail's surface. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Run the peel around the rim of the glass to further enhance the aromatic experience, then place it decoratively on the surface or on the rim of the glass. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Serve immediately while the cocktail is perfectly chilled. As Harry Craddock noted in the Savoy Cocktail Book: "Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again." </li> </ol>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 cocktail
🔥 Calories: 210 calories
🥑 Fat: 0 g
🧈 Saturated Fat: 0 g
🍞 Carbohydrates: 12 g
🍭 Sugar: 10 g
🍗 Protein: 0 g
🫀 Cholesterol: 0 mg
🧂 Sodium: 2 mg

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

Why is it called a Corpse Reviver cocktail?

The name "Corpse Reviver" comes from this cocktail's reputation as a hangover cure or "hair of the dog" remedy. Popular during the pre-Prohibition era, it was designed to "revive" someone suffering from overindulgence the previous night, bringing them back from a metaphorical death.

Can I substitute Lillet Blanc in this classic gin cocktail?

Yes, Cocchi Americano is the best substitute for Lillet Blanc as it has similar herbal and citrus notes with added quinine bitterness. Alternatively, dry vermouth can work in a pinch, though the flavour profile will be noticeably different from the original recipe.

What's the importance of the absinthe rinse in this pre-Prohibition cocktail?

The absinthe rinse is crucial as it provides a subtle anise aroma and flavour that complements the citrus and herbal notes. Using only a rinse rather than adding it directly ensures the anise doesn't overwhelm the balanced profile while still imparting its distinctive haunting finish.

Want to try something else in ...

More recipes you might like

Keep exploring with more recipes from What's Baking.

View all
A crystal-clear rocks glass capturing the distinctive emerald-green hue of the Gin Basil Smash, backlit by soft window light that illuminates the fine basil particles suspended throughout the cocktail. Crushed ice creates a frosty exterior while fresh basil leaves rest atop the drink alongside a twisted lemon peel. Tiny beads of condensation form on the exterior of the glass, suggesting refreshing coldness, while the subtle gradient from pale yellow at the bottom to deeper green near the top showcases the proper muddling technique. A dramatic overhead shot reveals the drink's vivid color against a dark wooden bar surface.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Gin Basil Smash Recipe

A vibrant, herbaceous cocktail that marries the botanical complexity of gin with the bright, aromatic punch of fresh basil and zesty lemon.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
A crystal Nick & Nora glass filled with a pale jade-green cocktail, illuminated by soft natural daylight streaming through a window. Droplets of condensation cling to the outside while a translucent cucumber ribbon spirals inside, reaching above the rim. A lime wheel balances on the edge, partially submerged in the drink. The liquid catches the light, revealing botanical particles suspended throughout. A marble bar top reflects the glass's silhouette while fresh cucumber slices and elderflowers are artfully scattered nearby, hinting at the cocktail's key ingredients.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Cucumber Elderflower Gimlet Recipe

A botanical elixir blending crisp cucumber freshness with delicate elderflower sweetness and bright lime, creating a refined summer sipper that's both refreshing and sophisticated.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
8 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
An elegant Nick & Nora glass holds this luminescent pale yellow-green cocktail, captured in natural daylight that accentuates its clarity and subtle effervescence. Crisp, delicate mint leaves float on the surface, with tiny beads of condensation forming on the outside of the glass. A closeup reveals the paper-thin yuzu slice garnish balanced on the rim, its unique citrus oil catching the light. The background features blurred copper bar tools and fresh mint sprigs, while the cocktail itself has fine ice shards suspended throughout - evidence of the vigorous shaking technique that created its silky texture.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Yuzu Southside Recipe

A vibrant citrus twist on the classic Southside, where bright yuzu citrus elevates gin, mint, and sugar into a perfectly balanced, refreshingly complex sip.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
An elegant lowball glass with a large crystal-clear ice cube sits on a weathered wooden table in natural daylight. The Garden Negroni's striking ruby-crimson hue transitions to emerald undertones where cucumber-infused gin meets the Campari. Fresh basil leaves float delicately on the surface, releasing aromatic oils that catch the light. A cucumber ribbon spirals around the glass exterior, while droplets of condensation form on the glass, suggesting refreshing coolness. In the background, slightly blurred herb pots of rosemary and thyme create a garden setting that enhances the drink's botanical concept.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Garden Negroni Recipe

A verdant twist on the classic Negroni with herbaceous notes of cucumber, basil, and garden herbs that transform this bitter-sweet aperitif into a refreshing botanical experience.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
10 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
A tall highball glass filled with a rich amber-hued Pimm's Cup cocktail, ice cubes gently catching golden afternoon light. The drink features a vibrant garden of garnishes - cucumber ribbons spiraling inside the glass, strawberry slices, fresh mint sprigs, and orange half-wheels creating height and dimension. Tiny bubbles from ginger beer cling to the sides of the crystal-clear glass, while condensation forms delicate droplets on the exterior. A metal straw and wooden stirrer stand at attention against a backdrop of dappled sunlight filtering through a garden setting, suggesting the perfect British summer day.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Pimm's Cup Recipe

The quintessential British summer refresher, bursting with botanical Pimm's No. 1, crisp cucumber, bright citrus, and aromatic herbs in every effervescent sip.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe
An elegant rocks glass filled with amber-red liquid, showcasing delicate bubbles rising through layers of deep ruby and gold hues. A large, perfectly cut orange slice perches on the rim, with soft bokeh bar lighting creating warm highlights on the crystal-clear ice cube. Droplets of condensation form on the glass surface, catching the ambient golden light. Background elements include blurred bottles of Campari and sweet vermouth, suggesting a sophisticated Italian bar setting where aperitivo cocktails reign supreme.
Cocktails
Gin-Based Cocktails

Negroni Sbagliato Recipe

A bubbly twist on the classic Negroni, balancing bittersweet Campari with vermouth and sparkling prosecco for an effervescent, refreshing aperitivo.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
2 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
View recipe