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Corpse Reviver

The Corpse Reviver is a gin-based classic cocktail that's equal parts refreshing and revitalizing, blending bright citrus, herbal liqueurs, and a touch of bitters into something genuinely magical. Originally created in the early 1900s, this cocktail has earned its dramatic name by actually tasting like a pick-me-up: crisp, balanced, and impossible to put down.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Classic American Cocktail
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 ounce gin London Dry style works best
  • 0.5 ounce Cointreau or other orange liqueur
  • 0.5 ounce Lillet Blanc
  • 0.5 ounce fresh lemon juice
  • 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
  • Absinthe rinse approximately 1/8 ounce, enough to coat the glass
  • Ice for shaking fresh, high-quality ice
  • Lemon twist or thin lemon wheel for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring spoon
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Coupe glass or martini glass
  • Bar spoon
  • Citrus juicer or hand reamer
  • Fine mesh strainer
  • Spray bottle for absinthe rinse

Method
 

  1. Pour approximately 1/8 ounce of absinthe into your chilled coupe glass and swirl it around to coat the entire interior. Discard any excess absinthe that pools at the bottom.
  2. Using your jigger, measure out 1 ounce of gin, 0.5 ounce of Cointreau, 0.5 ounce of Lillet Blanc, and 0.5 ounce of fresh lemon juice.
  3. Fill your cocktail shaker halfway with fresh ice and set it aside for 30 seconds to chill.
  4. Pour the gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and lemon juice into the shaker with ice. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters directly into the mix.
  5. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds until the ice rattles aggressively inside.
  6. Pour the cocktail through your Hawthorne strainer into the absinthe-rinsed glass, then follow up with a fine mesh strainer held just above the glass to catch any ice shards or fruit pulp.
  7. Twist a lemon peel over the surface of the drink to express its oils, then drop it in as a garnish or rest a thin lemon wheel on the rim.
  8. Serve the Corpse Reviver immediately while it's still cold and the froth is present.

Notes

The absinthe rinse is essential and elevates this drink from good to memorable. Always use fresh lemon juice squeezed within an hour of making the drink. Chill your glassware in the freezer for at least 5 minutes before serving. A full 10 to 15 seconds of vigorous shaking creates the frothy top and proper chill.