Corpse Reviver
The Corpse Reviver family of cocktails are 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[1] have survived to this day.[2]
History
The corpse reviver appears in literature as early as an issue of Punch in 1861.[3] An early recipe for the corpse reviver is found in literature as early as 1903.[4]
Corpse Reviver #1
| Type | Cocktail |
|---|---|
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard drinkware | .svg.png){kind=small} |
| Commonly used ingredients |
|
| Preparation | Stir with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. |
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
| Type | Cocktail |
|---|---|
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard drinkware | |
| Commonly used ingredients | |
| Preparation | Shake ingredients together in a mixer with ice. Strain into chilled glass. |
The Corpse Reviver #2 is the more popular of the corpse revivers, and consists of equal parts gin, lemon juice, curaçao (commonly Cointreau), Kina Lillet, 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 to give a subtle absinthe aroma and flavor to the drink.[5][6]
Kentucky Corpse Reviver
| Type | Cocktail |
|---|---|
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard garnish |
Mint |
| Standard drinkware |  |
| Commonly used ingredients |
|
| Preparation | Shake ingredients together with ice, and strain into a glass. Garnish with mint sprig. |
This recipe is similar to Corpse Reviver #2, substituting bourbon for gin.
Savoy Corpse Reviver
| Type | Cocktail |
|---|---|
| Primary alcohol by volume | |
| Served | Straight up; without ice |
| Standard drinkware | |
| Commonly used ingredients |
|
| Preparation | Shake ingredients together with ice, and strain into a glass. |
This recipe is a variation invented by Joe Gilmore in 1954.
In popular culture
- In "The Handoff", the second episode of the seventh season of Archer, Veronica Deane orders a Corpse Reviver #2, but only if real absinthe is available.
References
- ↑ Corpse Reviver -- The Cocktail Spirit with Robert Hess -- Small Screen Network™
- ↑ The Corpse Reviver family of cocktails » Cocktail adventures at Oh Gosh!
- ↑ "A Smash for a Sensationist". Punch. 41: 247. 21 Dec 1861.
- ↑ Whitehead, Jessup Whitehead (1903). The steward's handbook and guide to party catering. p. 305.
- ↑ Absinthe is back at the bar | Metromix Nashville
- ↑ Corpse Reviver -- The Cocktail Spirit with Robert Hess -- Small Screen Network™
