Seeking a hair-of-the-dog cocktail with a pedigree that goes beyond the basic Bloody Mary? For a more refined wake-up call, meet the Corpse Reviver, a sophisticated cocktail with a name that’s both morbid and oddly fitting.

Corpse reviver cocktail in a decorative cocktail glass with an orange wedge on the rim for garnish.

Looking for the ultimate hair of the dog cocktail?

Look no further than the Corpse Reviver! This classic cocktail combines gin, Lillet blanc, and a touch of absinthe for a unique flavor profile and a reviving pick-me-up.

That feeling the morning after, when the sun seems a little too bright, your head throbs like a bass drum solo, and the only thing between you and the world is a strong cup of coffee (or three). But what if there was a more, well, civilized solution?

Enter the Corpse Reviver, a cocktail with a name that’s both delightfully macabre and strangely apt. This concoction, a relic from the 19th century, is more than just a hangover cure (although some swear by its reviving powers). It’s a classic drink with a sophisticated blend of flavors, a pick-me-up for the discerning soul who wouldn’t be caught dead gulping down Pedialyte.

Watch 🎥: How to make this Corpse Reviver Cocktail

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What Is a Corpse Reviver Cocktail?

The Corpse Reviver isn’t your typical hangover cure! This cocktail with a darkly funny name actually has a long and interesting history.

Way back in the 19th century, terms like “hair of the dog” were thrown around to describe drinks believed to cure hangovers. One of the earliest mentions of a “Corpse Reviver” appears in a book called “The Gentleman’s Table Guide” from 1871. This recipe was pretty simple – just brandy, maraschino liqueur, and a few dashes of bitters.

Fast forward to the early 20th century, and the Corpse Reviver gets a major upgrade courtesy of Harry Craddock, a legendary bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London. His prohibition era “Savoy Cocktail Book” from 1930 features not one but two Corpse Reviver recipes. These became the gold standard, featuring a blend of gin, Lillet blanc (a French aperitif similar to vermouth), and other flavorful ingredients.

Our Corpse Reviver follows the more modern rendition. The base is a high-quality gin. You can use a dry gin like in a dry martini or regular gin. Lillet blanc, a French aperitif similar to dry vermouth, adds a touch of sweetness and herbal complexity.

Like a sazerac cocktail, this recipe also calls for a dash of absinthe. With its licorice-like aroma, this high-proof alcohol offers a subtle hint of intrigue. Fresh lemon juice injects a vital burst of tartness, balancing out the other ingredients. Finally, a splash of orange liqueur, like Cointreau or Triple Sec, ties everything together with a touch of citrusy sweetness. Then, there’s the garnish. A classic orange slice adds a pop of color and a hint of citrus oil to the aroma.

A crystal coupe glass with a corpse reviver cocktail and orange wedge.

What you’ll love about this recipe:


  • HISTORY-LOVER’S DREAM – The Corpse Reviver is a cocktail steeped in history, dating back to the 19th century. With its connection to legendary bartenders and iconic cocktail books, it offers a taste of the past with every sip.
  • COMPLEXITY with a KICK – Craving a drink that’s more than just one-note sweetness? The Corpse Reviver delivers. The interplay of botanical gin, herbal Lillet blanc, subtle anise from the absinthe, and tart lemon juice creates a complex flavor profile with a high-proof kick, perfect for those who appreciate a sophisticated and stimulating drink.

What You Need to Make a Corpse Reviver Cocktail

  • Absinthe (dash): This high-proof spirit with a licorice-like flavor adds a touch of complexity and a subtle anise aroma. 
  • Dry Gin: This is the base spirit of the Corpse Reviver. Gin’s botanicals, like juniper berries and citrus peels, provide a base layer of flavor.
  • Lillet Blanc (or other white vermouth): This French aperitif (think flavored wine) adds a touch of sweetness and herbaceousness, balancing out the juniper of the gin. In some recipes, Cocchi Americano or even dry vermouth can be used for a slightly different flavor profile.
  • Orange Liqueur: A splash of orange liqueur, like Cointreau or Triple Sec, adds a touch of citrus sweetness and complements the botanicals in the gin.
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice adds a tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the other ingredients and brightens up the whole drink.
  • Orange Slice (Garnish): The orange oils add a subtle citrus aroma as you sip the drink, and it adds a pop of color for a beautiful presentation.

How to Make a Corpse Reviver

  • Add all the ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker. 
  • Add ice and shake until chilled. 
  • Strain into a coupe glass. 
  • Garnish with an orange slice or orange twist.

Expert Recipe Tips


  • Feeling adventurous? Try a Corpse Reviver No. 2, which swaps out the Lillet blanc for Cointreau or another orange liqueur. There’s even a Corpse Reviver No. Blue, which uses blue curaçao for a stunning visual effect!
  • Swap out the orange slice for a lemon twist or lemon peel for a slightly different citrus flavor profile.

How to serve this cocktail

The Corpse Reviver isn’t your typical after-dinner drink. Traditionally, it’s served as a “hair of the dog” pick-me-up, perfect for those bleary-eyed mornings that require a touch of sophistication. Serve it in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass for an elegant presentation, and remember, a little goes a long way with this potent drink!

The Corpse Reviver is more than just a hangover cure (although some swear by its reviving powers). This iconic cocktail, with its darkly charming name and potent blend of flavors, is a testament to the enduring power of a well-crafted drink. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader! 

Overhead shot of a corpse reviver cocktail with an orange wedge as garnish.

Corpse Reviver

The Corpse Reviver is a boozy pick-me-up that combines gin, Lillet blanc, orange liqueur, and lemon juice for a citrusy, herbal cocktail said to be strong enough to revive even the dead (or at least a sleepyhead).
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Cocktail Recipes
American
Author: Kita
5 minutes
Serves: 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker
  • Strainer

Ingredients

  • ½ tsp absinthe
  • ¾ oz dry gin
  • ¾ oz Lillet blanc
  • ¾ oz orange liqueur
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • Orange slice - for garnish

Instructions

  • Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker.
  • Add ice and shake until chilled.
  • Strain into a coupe glass.
  • Garnish with an orange slice.

Video

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Nutrition

Serving: -17g | Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.04mg

Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.

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Recipe FAQs

This is a great question! Since gin is the base spirit, choose a good quality one that you enjoy. A classic or London Dry gin will work well, but a more floral or citrusy gin can complement the Lillet blanc nicely.

The Corpse Reviver packs a citrus punch with lemon juice, then throws in some surprises. A hint of licorice and anise peeks through from the absinthe rinse, balanced by the floral sweetness of Lillet Blanc. Orange liqueur adds a juicy kick, all resting on a base of juniper-flavored gin.

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