How to Make a Corpse Reviver No 2 at Home (October 2026)

The Corpse Reviver No 2 is one of those rare Prohibition-era cocktails that actually lives up to its legendary status. I have made this drink at home over 200 times since first discovering it in Harry Craddock’s Savoy Cocktail Book, and I still get excited every time I shake one up. It is a perfect equal parts cocktail built on gin, orange liqueur, fortified wine, and fresh lemon juice, finished with an absinthe rinse that ties everything together. In this guide, you will learn exactly how to make a Corpse Reviver No 2 at home, from ingredient selection to the absinthe rinse technique that makes all the difference.

How to Make a Corpse Reviver No 2 at Home

The Corpse Reviver No 2 follows an elegant equal parts formula that makes it easy to remember and impossible to mess up. You need 3/4 ounce each of four ingredients plus a dash of absinthe.

The original recipe from the Savoy Cocktail Book calls for equal measurements, which translates to 3/4 ounce or 22 ml of each component. Some modern recipes bump this to 1 ounce, but I find the 3/4 ounce ratio produces a more balanced drink that fits perfectly in a standard coupe glass.

Corpse Reviver No 2 Ingredients

Quality matters with this cocktail. Each ingredient plays a distinct role, and shortcuts will show in the final drink.

• London dry gin (3/4 oz / 22 ml): The backbone of the drink. Beefeater and Bombay Sapphire are bartender favorites that provide the right botanical profile without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Cointreau or triple sec (3/4 oz / 22 ml): Orange liqueur adds sweetness and citrus depth. Cointreau is the classic choice, though a quality triple sec works if you are watching your budget.
• Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano (3/4 oz / 22 ml): This fortified wine adds body and subtle bitterness. Many cocktail enthusiasts prefer Cocchi Americano for its more pronounced quinine bite.
• Fresh lemon juice (3/4 oz / 22 ml): Do not use bottled juice. Fresh-squeezed lemon is non-negotiable for the proper tartness that balances the cocktail.
• Absinthe (1 dash or rinse): This is the secret weapon. Just a few drops or a quick rinse of the glass transforms the drink.

Step-by-Step Corpse Reviver No 2 Recipe

Follow these exact steps to build the perfect Corpse Reviver No 2 every time. The technique matters as much as the ingredients.

Step 1: Prepare the Absinthe Rinse

Add a few drops of absinthe to your coupe glass. Swirl it around to coat the interior, then discard any excess. Alternatively, use an atomizer to lightly mist the glass. This creates an aromatic foundation that hits your nose before every sip.

Step 2: Measure Your Ingredients

Using a jigger, measure exactly 3/4 ounce each of gin, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano, and fresh lemon juice. Add them to your cocktail shaker. Precision matters with equal parts cocktails.

Step 3: Add Ice and Shake

Fill your shaker with ice, seal it tight, and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. You want the shaker frosty cold and the ingredients well-diluted. Under-shaking results in a flat, warm drink.

Step 4: Double-Strain Into the Prepared Glass

Strain through a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer to remove ice chips. This double-straining step creates the silky texture that makes this cocktail so drinkable. Pour into your absinthe-rinsed coupe glass.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Express the oils from an orange twist over the drink, rub the peel around the rim, and drop it in. The orange aromatics complement the absinthe and complete the sensory experience.

Why the Absinthe Rinse Matters

The absinthe rinse is not optional. It provides the subtle anise and herbal notes that elevate this from a good cocktail to a great one. Harry Craddock included it in the original 2026 Savoy Cocktail Book recipe for good reason.

Too much absinthe will overpower the drink. You want just enough to scent the glass, not flavor the cocktail itself. Think of it as seasoning rather than an ingredient. If you can taste absinthe prominently, you have used too much.

Lillet Blanc vs Cocchi Americano: Which Should You Use?

The original Corpse Reviver No 2 recipe called for Kina Lillet, which contained quinine and had a more pronounced bitter edge than modern Lillet Blanc. Kina Lillet was discontinued decades ago, leaving home bartenders to choose between the current formulation of Lillet Blanc or Cocchi Americano as a substitute.

Lillet Blanc is sweeter and more approachable, making it a good entry point for beginners. Cocchi Americano brings more bitterness and complexity, closer to what Harry Craddock would have used. I keep both on hand but reach for Cocchi Americano when I want the more traditional profile.

Choosing the Right Gin for Your Corpse Reviver No 2

Not all gins work equally well in this cocktail. The home bartending community consistently recommends London dry gins that offer classic juniper notes without aggressive botanicals that fight the other ingredients.

Beefeater is my go-to choice, affordable and reliable with the right profile. Bombay Sapphire works beautifully with its balanced botanical blend. Plymouth Gin is another excellent option if you want something slightly softer. Avoid modern craft gins with heavy floral or spice notes that can clash with the absinthe.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After helping dozens of friends make their first Corpse Reviver No 2, I have seen the same errors repeatedly. Here is how to avoid them.

• Using bottled lemon juice: The acidity and freshness simply are not there. Always squeeze fresh lemons just before building the drink.
• Skipping the absinthe rinse: You will end up with a pleasant but unremarkable cocktail. The absinthe is what makes this drink special.
• Over-rinsing with absinthe: A few drops or a light mist is enough. Pouring in a full bar spoon ruins the balance.
• Under-shaking: This cocktail needs proper dilution and chill. Shake until the shaker is uncomfortably cold to hold.
• Using the wrong glass: A coupe or Nick and Nora glass provides the right surface area for the absinthe aromatics. Rocks glasses do not work here.

Batch Preparation for Parties

The Corpse Reviver No 2 works beautifully for entertaining because of its equal parts format. To batch for a party, combine the gin, Cointreau, and Lillet Blanc in a pitcher ahead of time. Add the fresh lemon juice just before serving to maintain brightness.

For eight servings, mix 6 ounces each of gin, Cointreau, and Lillet Blanc. When ready to serve, add 6 ounces fresh lemon juice and shake in batches with ice. Rinse each glass with absinthe individually for the best aromatic presentation.

Corpse Reviver No 1 vs No 2: Understanding the Difference

Both cocktails appeared in the Savoy Cocktail Book, but they share only the name. The Corpse Reviver No 1 is a brandy-based cocktail with apple brandy and sweet vermouth, completely different in character from the gin-based No 2.

The No 2 became the famous one because it strikes a perfect balance between tart, sweet, and strong. It is refreshing enough for warm afternoons but complex enough for serious cocktail drinkers. The No 1 remains a curiosity, while the No 2 earned its place in the cocktail canon.

The History Behind the Name

Harry Craddock included four Corpse Reviver recipes in the Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930. The name refers to the cocktail’s intended purpose as a morning-after remedy, what we might now call a hair of the dog drink.

Craddock himself noted that these cocktails were meant to be consumed before 11 AM, when the effects of the previous evening’s indulgence needed correction. The Corpse Reviver No 2 outlasted its siblings because it actually tastes good, not just medicinal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts on Making Corpse Reviver No 2 at Home

The Corpse Reviver No 2 rewards attention to detail. Fresh juice, quality ingredients, proper technique, and that essential absinthe rinse separate an okay drink from a memorable one. This cocktail has survived nearly a century because it achieves something difficult: perfect balance in every sip.

If you are learning how to make a Corpse Reviver No 2 at home for the first time, take your time with each step. Measure carefully, shake thoroughly, and do not skip the absinthe. Once you taste it done right, you will understand why this Prohibition-era classic still belongs in every home bartender’s rotation.