Corpse Reviver
Encyclopedia
The Corpse Reviver family of cocktails are a family of cocktails originally intended as 'hair of the dog
' hangover
cures, hence the name. Most of the corpse reviver cocktails have been lost to time, but the cognac- and gin
-based Corpse Reviver and Corpse Reviver #2 cocktails that were first listed in the Savoy Cocktail Handbook by Harry Craddock
in 1930 have survived to this day.
(commonly Cointreau), Lillet
Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. The dash of absinthe can either be added to the mix before shaking, or added to the cocktail glass and moved around until the glass has been coated with a layer of absinthe. It can also be used to coat the edge of the glass to give a subtle absinthe aroma and flavor to the drink.
As the Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail was invented at a time when Lillet
used the original Kina Lillet formulation, some have taken to using Cocchi Americano
instead of Lillet Blanc in this cocktail in order to approximate the taste of the original cocktail.
in 1954.
Hair of the dog
"Hair of the dog" is a colloquial expression in the English language predominantly used to refer to alcohol that is consumed with the aim of lessening the effects of a hangover. The expression originally referred to a method of treatment of a rabid dog bite by placing hair from the dog in the...
' hangover
Hangover
A hangover describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages. The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dysphoria, diarrhea and thirst, typically after the...
cures, hence the name. Most of the corpse reviver cocktails have been lost to time, but the cognac- and gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
-based Corpse Reviver and Corpse Reviver #2 cocktails that were first listed in the Savoy Cocktail Handbook by Harry Craddock
Harry Craddock
Harry Craddock was a United States citizen who left during Prohibition and joined the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, London, in 1920. Craddock was one of the most famous cocktail barmen of the 1920s and 1930s. Craddock’s “The Savoy Cocktail Book” was published in 1930, and is still in print...
in 1930 have survived to this day.
Corpse Reviver
The plain Corpse Reviver cocktail is a cognac-based cocktail, with two parts cognac, one part Calvados or equivalent apple brandy, and one part sweet vermouth.Corpse Reviver #2
The Corpse Reviver #2 is the more popular of the corpse revivers, and consists of equal parts gin, lemon juice, triple secTriple sec
Triple sec, originally Curaçao triple sec, is a variety of Curaçao liqueur, an orange-flavoured liqueur made from the dried peels of bitter and sweet orange....
(commonly Cointreau), Lillet
Lillet
Lillet is a brand of French aperitif wine. It is a blend of 85% Bordeaux wines and 15% macerated liqueurs, mostly citrus liqueurs from the peels of sweet oranges from Spain and Morocco and the peels of bitter green oranges from Haiti...
Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. The dash of absinthe can either be added to the mix before shaking, or added to the cocktail glass and moved around until the glass has been coated with a layer of absinthe. It can also be used to coat the edge of the glass to give a subtle absinthe aroma and flavor to the drink.
As the Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail was invented at a time when Lillet
Lillet
Lillet is a brand of French aperitif wine. It is a blend of 85% Bordeaux wines and 15% macerated liqueurs, mostly citrus liqueurs from the peels of sweet oranges from Spain and Morocco and the peels of bitter green oranges from Haiti...
used the original Kina Lillet formulation, some have taken to using Cocchi Americano
Cocchi Americano
Cocchi Americano is an aperitif wine from the Asti province of Italy. The wine was developed by Giulio Cocchi, and production began in 1891....
instead of Lillet Blanc in this cocktail in order to approximate the taste of the original cocktail.
Savoy Corpse Reviver
This recipe is a variation invented by Joe GilmoreJoe Gilmore
Joe Gilmore was one of the longest running Head Barmen at The Savoy Hotel's American Bar. Joe Gilmore started as a trainee barman at The American Bar in 1940 and was appointed Head Barman in 1955, a position he held until he retired in 1976...
in 1954.