Spice up your Halloween this year with the classic Corpse Reviver 2 cocktail! This refreshing citrusy absinthe gin cocktail is not only super tasty. It also has a perfectly on-theme name and reputation! After all, it’s supposed to be able to revive a dead person (or at least a very hungover one).

How to Make a Corpse Reviver No. 2

This yummy citrus gin cocktail is strong but not too alcohol-forward. It’s traditionally made by combining equal parts gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and Cointreau or Triple Sec, and a dash (or rinse) of absinthe, an anise-flavored spirit.

It’s made like a martini by combining the ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker, shaking for several seconds, and then straining it into a coupe or martini glass. I used bourbon-soaked cocktail cherries as a garnish in my drink. But the traditional garnish is a lemon twist.

And while its name makes the Corpse Reviver a perfect Halloween holiday gin cocktail, it’s delicious all year round!

Ingredients for a corpse reviver no. 2 gin cocktail

Citrus, Gin and Lillet Blanc Cocktail Ingredients

GIN: I used Gray Whale Gin. If you’ve been following along, you know I’m a huge fan of this California-based, small-batch gin. And its fresh, crisp taste, with notes of juniper, citrus, and mint, works perfectly in this yummy cocktail. (Full disclosure: Gray Whale Gin gifted me a bottle of their gin. And I love them for it!) But you could also use any London Dry-style gin or a gin that has hints of citrus.
LILLET BLANC: This is a French wine-based aperitif from the Bordeaux region. You can also use dry, white vermouth like Cocchi Americano.
ORANGE LIQUOR: This recipe also calls for an orange-flavored liquor. I used Cointreau. But you could also use Triple Sec.
ABSINTHE: Despite its reputation, this anise-flavored spirit is not a hallucinogen. But it does have a strong licorice flavor. Add just a dash to the cocktail. Or you can just rinse your glass with some and dump any extra, which is what I did.
FRESH LEMON JUICE
GARNISH: Lemon twist or high-quality cherries

Glasses of Corpse Reviver No. 2 gin cocktail garnished with cherries

Step-By-Step Instructions

PREP: Add a dash of absinthe to your glass and swirl to coat. Discard any excess. Set aside.
FILL SHAKER & SHAKE: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and then add the gin, lemon juice, Lillet Blanc and Cointreau. Place the top on the shaker and shake vigorously for several seconds.
POUR & SERVE: Strain and pour into your glass. Garnish with cherries or a lemon twist.
GARNISH: The traditional garnish for this drink is a lemon twist. But I used high-quality bourbon-soaked cherries.
TIP: If you don’t want to rinse your glass in absinthe, you can add a dash to your cocktail.

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