Corpse Reviver No 2 Cocktail Recipe

A Corpse Reviver No 2 is from a family of cocktails that are said to help cure your hangover. But to me, it’s a super easy and refreshing cocktail with gin, fresh lemon juice, Cointreau and Lillet that is delicious any time!

*Gin for this recipe was provided by Prairie Organic Spirits. And it’s tasty. 

This is a gin Lillet cocktail. You should know that off the bat. There are some classic cocktails with names so weird that you wouldn’t think to make them at home. But I implore you to not skip them! And this one is so easy and delicious!

You know I like to keep my bar simple, and all of these ingredients can be used to make other easy cocktails at home as well. 

While this cocktail is suggested to be sipped in the morning, I prefer them on a warm afternoon. 

Why you’ll love this gin Lillet cocktail

The Corpse Reviver 2 is sure to be your new favorite summer cocktail. It’s actually quite a ladylike drink. It’s super refreshing and it’s crazy easy to make!

I first had a Corpse Reviver a few months ago at a brunch event up in Los Angeles. It was amazing. And I had to know how to make it for myself at home. 

Traditionally these “reviver” cocktails were made as cocktails to make you feel better the day after a night of imbibing. A sort of ‘hair of the dog’ idea. I get awful hangovers. Here’s my new favorite hangover supplement. It helps me SO much! 

Related: St. Germain Gin Fizz

But I plan on drinking these all summer long, morning or night. (In a totally responsible sort of way, of course).

The fresh lemon juice is essential and really brings this drink together. Yes, the rest of the ingredients are booze. It’s fine. You’re fine.

Why No 2?

As I mentioned before, this cocktail comes from a family all meant to be sipped in the morning. The different versions are denoted by a number. No. 2 seems to be the most popular. And with good reason. It’s SO tasty! 

Ingredients

This cocktail calls for some ingredients you may or may not have in your home bar. I picked up the Lillet just to make this cocktail because it was that tasty when I first tried it. That’s usually how I end up adding new things to my bar.

But, Lillet can be sipped on its own and I have several other recipes that call for it that I can’t wait to try. It’s not a one-hit-wonder so I thought it was an excellent addition to my small bar setup. 

Use my printable recipe card below which has simple instructions including all the measurements.

• Gin
• Lillet Blanc
• Cointreau
• Fresh Lemon Juice
• Absinthe

What?! Absinthe! Because of writing about cocktails for so long, at some point, I was gifted a bottle.

The classic recipe calls for a spritz of Absinthe across the top of the finished cocktail. If you don’t have it and don’t want to buy it, the cocktail will still be delicious! 

It does add a little extra something to the drink (mostly on the nose) but you don’t need it. 

I haven’t played around too much with gin yet, (tequila super fan right here) but I love the refreshing herbal quality. I just know I’d love a gin and soda with fresh lime. And I KNOW I love this Blood Orange Sorbet Gin Float. 

Lillet Blanc is an aromatic fortified wine that is quite tasty. As an aperitif, it can be sipped on its own, pre-meal, but it also is a great addition to a cocktail recipe. 

If you don’t have Cointreau, use another orange-flavored liquor like Triple Sec.

How to make a Corpse Reviver 2

A Corpse Reviver 2 is ridiculously easy to make. It is equal parts  Prairie Organic Gin, Lillet Blanc (or Cocchi Americano), Cointreau, fresh lemon juice.

1. To a cocktail shaker, add gin, Lillet, Cointreau and fresh lemon juice.
2. Add ice.
3. Shake well.
4. Strain into cocktail glass. 

A traditional recipe calls for this gin cocktail to be served in a coupe glass. And while they are super cute, it won’t ruin your drinking experience if you don’t have one. 

Top Tips

Since my first Corpse Reviver 2 experience involved a skilled mixologist, I got to see the technique for adding the Absinthe.

Since the recipe just needs a few drops, the bartender used a small stainless steel atomizerto add it right on top of the drink, to finish it.

Genius! With this application, you mostly get the smell, a very subtle bit of the taste and it looked really cool when he sprayed the drink. Seriously, have you ever seen someone spray a drink before? It’s intriguing! But unnecessary for your home bar. 

If you want to make this drink as intended, Absinthe and all, you won’t be disappointed. The licorice flavor really does something amazing to this cocktail. 

I had a blue glass spray bottle (similar bottle) that I put a bit of Absinthe in to finish my cocktails at home. But I don’t bring it with me when I take these ingredients on vacation with me. And they still taste delicious. 

By the way, a Corpse Reviver 1 is Cognac, Brandy and Sweet Vermouth which doesn’t sound good to me at all. Plus my bar doesn’t include Cognac or Brandy. There might be sweet vermouth in there from when my husband and I tried to like martinis…

This Corpse Reviver is a great brunch cocktail but just as delicious sipped into the evening. 

I followed the recipe found on Saveur. I didn’t finish the cocktail with orange peel like they suggested. Well, I intended to but then I forgot that I had hidden it under that white napkin for the first few photos and then forgot about it entirely. I’m sure it’s lovely…

This easy and delicious Corpse Reviver 2 is a delicious gin cocktail that you are going to really enjoy. Make them for your next at home happy hour and enjoy each refreshing sip. 

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More easy cocktail recipes

I love cocktail recipes like this which are super easy but out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for more fun cocktail ideas to make at home, try these:

• Spiced Rum Cocktail and White Zinfandel Cocktail: This Spiced Rum Cocktail with White Zinfandel is another one with an odd mix of ingredients. But the end result is tropical and amazing. This is my favorite poolside beverage.
• Strawberry Sauvignon Blanc Martini: If you’re a wine fan, you’ll love this yummy Strawberry Sauvignon Blanc Martini recipe. It’s full of fresh strawberry flavor and your favorite tangy white wine. 
• Champagne Punch: If you love citrus flavors, you need to make a batch or 2 of this yummy Champagne Punch! With orange juice and pineapple, the flavors are bright and the sparkling wine and club soda make it bubbly! 

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