Corpse Reviver No. 2
Gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and fresh lemon shaken in equal parts with a touch of absinthe. Bright, citrusy and aromatic, with a crisp herbal finish.
Corpse Reviver No. 2 Recipe
- Gin 30 ml
- Cointreau 30 ml
- Lillet Blanc 30 ml
- Lemon juice 30 ml
- Absinthe 1 drop
- Ice 150 g, for shaking
- Fresh orange 1 orange peel, for garnish
Make it properly
- Place your cocktail glass or coupe in the refrigerator or fill it with ice while you prepare the drink.
- Add the gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon juice and one dash of absinthe to a cocktail shaker.
- Add approximately 150 g of ice cubes.
- Shake firmly for around 10–15 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Remove the ice from your serving glass and fine strain the cocktail into the chilled glass.
- Finish with fresh orange zest and serve immediately.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD CORPSE REVIVER NO. 2?
Balance is everything here. Four ingredients are used in exactly the same quantity, meaning no single component should dominate.
Fresh lemon cuts through the sweetness of the orange liqueur and Lillet Blanc. Gin provides structure, while the wine-based aperitif softens the drink and adds another layer of fruit and botanicals.
Absinthe should remain in the background. You want to notice its herbal aroma without turning the cocktail into an absinthe-led drink.
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CORPSE REVIVER NO. 2 RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is an equal-parts cocktail, but that simplicity hides a surprisingly complex drink. Gin provides the botanical backbone, Cointreau brings orange, Lillet Blanc contributes fruit and floral character, and fresh lemon supplies the acidity. Then comes the absinthe. Only a dash is needed, but its herbal and anise character gives the cocktail a distinctive aromatic edge. The result should be bright and refreshing rather than aggressively strong or sweet. The ingredients are measured equally, so getting the citrus, dilution and temperature right makes a noticeable difference.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A CORPSE REVIVER NO. 2
A classic London Dry Gin works particularly well. Its dry juniper and botanical character provides enough structure to remain present alongside Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and lemon.
Cointreau brings concentrated orange character without making the drink excessively sweet. Its combination of citrus and dryness is one of the reasons it works so naturally in equal-parts cocktails.
Lillet Blanc adds the softer side of the drink. The French wine-based aperitif has floral and fruity characteristics with notes including candied orange, honey and exotic fruit.
Fresh lemon juice is essential for the sharp, clean acidity that holds the sweeter ingredients in balance. Squeeze it shortly before making the cocktail.
For the final herbal accent, we recommend Absente Absinthe 55% Vol. 0.1 L. Only one dash is needed per cocktail, making the compact 100 ml bottle particularly practical for this recipe.
HOW TO BALANCE A CORPSE REVIVER NO. 2
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is built around equal parts, so balance comes from choosing ingredients that work together rather than adjusting their proportions. Gin provides the dry botanical backbone, Cointreau adds orange and sweetness, Lillet Blanc brings softer fruit and floral notes, and fresh lemon supplies the acidity.
The lemon is especially important. It should be freshly squeezed and bright enough to keep the Cointreau and Lillet Blanc from making the cocktail feel too sweet. At the same time, proper shaking adds the dilution needed to soften the acidity and alcohol.
Absinthe should remain a background note. One dash is enough to introduce its distinctive herbal and anise aroma without overpowering the gin and citrus.
When properly balanced, the cocktail should taste bright, dry and refreshing, with citrus first, botanicals underneath and a subtle herbal finish.
THE STORY BEHIND THE CORPSE REVIVER NO. 2
The Corpse Reviver belongs to an old family of cocktails originally associated with drinks intended to revive the drinker after a long night.
The best-known version today is the Corpse Reviver No. 2, famously recorded in Harry Craddock's The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.
Unlike many classics built around one dominant spirit, the No. 2 combines gin, orange liqueur, aromatised wine and lemon in equal proportions. A small amount of absinthe gives the drink its distinctive herbal edge.
Today, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 remains on the International Bartenders Association's official cocktail list and is classified as a Contemporary Classic.
THE TECHNIQUE
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 should be shaken, not stirred.
Fresh lemon juice needs vigorous shaking to integrate properly with the spirits and aperitif. Shaking also provides the dilution necessary to soften the drink while bringing it down to serving temperature.
Use plenty of cold ice and shake firmly, but don't leave the cocktail sitting in the shaker after shaking. Strain it immediately into a chilled glass.
A fine strain gives the finished drink a particularly clean texture and removes small pieces of ice or lemon pulp.
SERVE IT PROPERLY
Serve the Corpse Reviver No. 2 straight up in a chilled cocktail glass or coupe, without ice.
The drink should arrive very cold, with a pale appearance and fresh citrus aroma.
Finish with orange zest. Expressing the peel gently over the glass adds another aromatic citrus layer that complements the Cointreau and Lillet Blanc.
Questions about the Corpse Reviver No. 2
What is in a Corpse Reviver No. 2?
The classic recipe combines equal measures of gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc and fresh lemon juice with a dash of absinthe. The current IBA recipe uses 30 ml of each main ingredient.
What does a Corpse Reviver No. 2 taste like?
It is bright, citrusy and botanical, combining fresh lemon and orange with gin botanicals, fruity Lillet Blanc and a subtle herbal note from absinthe.
Why is it called Corpse Reviver No. 2?
Corpse Revivers belong to an old category of drinks associated with restorative or morning-after cocktails. Several different recipes existed, and the gin-based No. 2 became the best-known version.
Can I make it without absinthe?
You can, but the drink loses part of its characteristic herbal aroma. Because only a dash is required, absinthe has a noticeable effect without becoming a dominant ingredient.
Is Lillet Blanc a vermouth?
No. Lillet Blanc is a French wine-based aperitif made from French wines and fruit infusions; its official ingredient information also lists an infusion of cinchona.
What glass should I use?
A chilled cocktail glass or coupe works well. Serve the drink straight up without ice.
Can I make Corpse Reviver No. 2 cocktails for a group?
Yes. Choose whether you're making 6, 12, 24 or 48 cocktails, and Drinkero calculates the gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, absinthe, lemon and other quantities you need.
Is the Corpse Reviver No. 2 an official IBA cocktail?
Yes. The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is currently included in the International Bartenders Association's official list under Contemporary Classics.