When it comes to classic cocktails, few have as much mystique and intrigue as the Corpse Reviver. This iconic drink has been delighting (and sometimes confusing) mixologists and enthusiasts alike for over a century. But what makes the Corpse Reviver so special? For starters, its name alone conjures up images of Victorian-era death rituals, adding an air of morbid whimsy to this already alluring libation.
In reality, the Corpse Reviver is actually a clever combination of spirits, liqueurs, and bitters that adds depth and complexity to the drinking experience. And with its versatility in terms of flavor profiles and ingredients, it’s no wonder why this drink has become a staple on many bar menus around the world. In this article, we’ll be exploring 19 unique Corpse Reviver recipes that add a twist to the classic, from lavender-infused No. 2s to smoky mezcal-based iterations. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just looking to spice up your cocktail game, these Corpse Reviver variations are sure to revitalize your spirits and leave you wanting more.
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Lavender Infusion
A refreshing twist on the classic Corpse Reviver cocktail, this recipe adds a floral and herbaceous touch with lavender infusion.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Gin
– 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
– 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz Simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 oz Lavender infusion (see below)
– Dash of soda water
– Lemon twist or lavender sprig for garnish
Lavender Infusion:
– 1 cup Water
– 1 tsp Dried lavender buds
– Steep for at least 30 minutes, then strain and discard solids. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Add the lavender infusion and shake until well combined.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
5. Top with soda water and garnish with a lemon twist or lavender sprig.
Cooking Time: None. This cocktail is best served immediately.
Smoky Corpse Reviver with Mezcal
A twist on the classic Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail, this recipe adds a smoky depth with mezcal and a splash of citrus.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz mezcal
– 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
– 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– 2 dashes Angostura bitters
– Ice
– Orange twist or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add mezcal, Lillet Blanc, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
3. Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters.
4. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
6. Express a strip of orange peel over the drink, then use as garnish.
Cooking Time: None
Corpse Reviver No. 1 with Spiced Apple Brandy
Revive your spirits with this classic cocktail, featuring the warmth of spiced apple brandy and a hint of citrus.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz gin
– 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/2 oz spiced apple brandy
– Splash of soda water
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Add spiced apple brandy and stir gently.
6. Top with a splash of soda water.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: None! This cocktail is ready in just 5 minutes.
Tropical Corpse Reviver with Passionfruit
Revive your senses with this refreshing tropical twist on the classic Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail, featuring passionfruit puree and a hint of spice.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz passionfruit puree
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
– 1/4 oz triple sec
– 1/4 oz grenadine syrup
– Splash of ginger beer
– Lime wheel and edible flower (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, passionfruit puree, lime juice, triple sec, and grenadine syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of ginger beer.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel and edible flower, if desired.
Cooking Time: None! This cocktail is ready in just minutes.
Corpse Reviver No. Blue with Butterfly Pea Tea
Revitalize your spirits with this refreshing cocktail that combines the unique flavor of butterfly pea tea with the classic Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc
– 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz butterfly pea tea syrup (see below for recipe)
– Splash of soda water
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Butterfly Pea Tea Syrup:
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup water
– 1/4 cup dried butterfly pea flowers
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, Lillet Blanc, and lemon juice.
2. Add the butterfly pea tea syrup and fill with ice.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of soda water.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: None! This is a cocktail, not a dish.
Spicy Corpse Reviver with Chili-Infused Gin
This devilishly spicy cocktail is sure to awaken even the most sluggish of corpses. With the bold flavors of chili-infused gin and a hint of citrus, this recipe will keep you revitalized until the next apocalypse.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz chili-infused gin
– 3/4 oz fresh lime juice
– 1/2 oz triple sec
– 1/2 oz ginger liqueur
– 1/4 oz simple syrup
– Splash of club soda
– Lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the chili-infused gin, lime juice, triple sec, and ginger liqueur.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled highball glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of club soda.
6. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Cooking Time: None! This cocktail is ready in just minutes.
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Elderflower Liqueur
Revive your spirits with this refreshing take on the classic Corpse Reviver cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Gin
– 3/4 oz Elderflower liqueur
– 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz Simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– Splash of Sparkling water
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of sparkling water.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: None, just shake and serve!
Autumn Corpse Reviver with Pumpkin Spice Syrup
Revive your spirits this autumn with a warm and spicy cocktail that combines the richness of pumpkin spice syrup with the comforting flavors of apple cider and whiskey.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz whiskey
– 4 oz apple cider
– 1/2 oz pumpkin spice syrup (see below for recipe)
– 1/2 lemon, cut into a wheel
– Cinnamon stick, for garnish
Pumpkin Spice Syrup Recipe:
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup sugar
– 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
– 1 tsp ground cinnamon
– 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
– 1/4 tsp ground ginger
Combine water and sugar in a saucepan, whisking until dissolved. Add pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean glass bottle. Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add whiskey, apple cider, and pumpkin spice syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain into a pre-warmed mug or highball glass.
5. Garnish with lemon wheel and cinnamon stick.
Cooking Time: None (preparation time: 10 minutes)
Corpse Reviver No. 3 with Absinthe Rinse
Revive your spirits with this classic cocktail, updated with a modern twist.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz French Lillet Blanc
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/4 oz simple syrup
– Splash of soda water
– Absinthe rinse (see below)
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled Collins glass filled with ice.
5. Top with a splash of soda water.
Absinthe Rinse:
1. Fill a small bowl or saucer with crushed ice.
2. Pour a small amount (about 1/4 oz) of Absinthe over the ice.
3. Dip the rim of your Collins glass into the Absinthe, coating the rim lightly.
4. Place the glass on a flat surface and spin it gently to distribute the Absinthe evenly.
Herbal Corpse Reviver with Rosemary-Infused Vermouth
Revive your spirits with this herbaceous twist on the classic Corpse Reviver #2 cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz rosemary-infused vermouth (see below for infusion instructions)
– 3/4 oz fresh grapefruit juice
– 1/2 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– Dash of absinthe
– Rosemary sprig, for garnish
Rosemary-Infused Vermouth Instructions:
Combine 1 cup dry vermouth with 1/4 cup rosemary leaves in a clean glass jar. Steep at room temperature for 2 hours, then strain and discard solids.
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, rosemary-infused vermouth, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup to the shaker.
3. Add a dash of absinthe.
4. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
6. Garnish with a rosemary sprig.
Cooking Time: None required!
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Grapefruit Twist
Reinvigorate your senses with this refreshing cocktail, perfect for a warm evening or a pick-me-up any time of the day.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz absinthe
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 oz Lillet Blanc
– Splash of soda water
– Ice cubes
– Grapefruit twist or slice for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, absinthe, grapefruit juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Top with Lillet Blanc and stir gently to combine.
6. Add a splash of soda water and garnish with a grapefruit twist or slice.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail!
Bitter Corpse Reviver with Amaro Substitute
Revive your spirits with this reimagined classic cocktail, substituting amaro for the traditional Campari.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 ounces gin
– 1/2 ounce sweet vermouth
– 1/2 ounce amaro substitute (such as Cynar or Fernet)
– Juice of 1 lemon
– Dash of orange bitters
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, sweet vermouth, and amaro substitute.
3. Squeeze in the lemon juice.
4. Add a dash of orange bitters.
5. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
6. Strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
Cooking Time: None! This is a cocktail recipe.
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Honey and Ginger
Revive your senses with this sweet and spicy twist on the classic Corpse Reviver cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz Gin
– 1/2 oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz Honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– 1/4 oz Ginger liqueur (such as Domaine de Canton)
– 1 dash Angostura bitters
– Ice
– Lemon twist or slice for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and ginger liqueur.
3. Shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
5. Add a dash of Angostura bitters on top.
Cooking Time: None (this is a cocktail!)
Garnish with a lemon twist or slice, and serve immediately.
Floral Corpse Reviver with Hibiscus Syrup
Revive your spirits with this refreshing twist on the classic Corpse Reviver cocktail.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz gin
– 1 oz hibiscus syrup (homemade or store-bought)
– 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/2 oz simple syrup
– Splash of soda water
– Edible flowers or citrus slice for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, hibiscus syrup, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Top with soda water.
6. Garnish with edible flowers or citrus slice.
Cooking Time: None! This cocktail is ready in minutes.
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Cucumber and Mint
This refreshing cocktail is a classic mix of gin, absinthe, and citrus, elevated by the addition of cool cucumber and minty freshness.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz absinthe
– Juice of 1 lime (about 1/2 oz)
– 1/2 cup diced cucumber
– Handful of fresh mint leaves
– Club soda, for serving
Instructions:
1. Muddle the diced cucumber and a handful of fresh mint leaves in a cocktail shaker.
2. Add gin, absinthe, and lime juice to the shaker.
3. Fill with ice and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled coupe or glass filled with ice.
5. Top with club soda and garnish with additional mint leaves, if desired.
Cooking Time:
– Preparation time: 2 minutes
– Shaking time: 10-15 seconds
Smoked Corpse Reviver with Charred Orange Peel
This bold cocktail combines the savory flavors of smoked whiskey and charred orange peel to create a complex and refreshing drink perfect for warm weather.
Ingredients:
– 2 oz Smoked Whiskey (such as bourbon or rye)
– 1 oz Freshly squeezed grapefruit juice
– 1/2 oz Honey syrup (1:1 honey and water, dissolved)
– 3 dashes Orange bitters
– Slice of charred orange peel (see instructions below)
– Ice
Instructions:
1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Add smoked whiskey, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup.
3. Add 3 dashes of orange bitters.
4. Stir for approximately 30 seconds to combine and chill the ingredients.
5. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
6. Garnish with a slice of charred orange peel.
Charred Orange Peel:
1. Cut an orange into thin slices, removing any seeds or pith.
2. Place the slices on a preheated grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
3. Cook for 30-60 seconds per side, until the peel is caramelized and slightly charred.
4. Let cool before using as garnish.
Cooking Time: None (cocktail preparation only)
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Blackberry Reduction
This refreshing cocktail is a classic take on the Corpse Reviver No. 2, elevated by the sweet and tangy flavors of blackberry reduction.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz Cynar
– 1/2 oz Lillet Blanc
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/4 oz blackberry reduction (see below)
– Dash of absinthe (optional)
– Lemon twist or wheel, for garnish
Blackberry Reduction:
– 1 cup fresh blackberries
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
1. In a medium saucepan, combine blackberries and sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the berries have broken down and the mixture has thickened into a syrup-like consistency (about 10-12 minutes).
2. Strain the reduction through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds.
3. Combine gin, Cynar, Lillet Blanc, lemon juice, and blackberry reduction in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
4. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
5. Strain into a chilled coupe or Nick & Nora glass. If desired, add a dash of absinthe on top.
6. Garnish with a lemon twist or wheel.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes (for blackberry reduction)
Winter Corpse Reviver with Cranberry and Clove
Warm up on a cold winter’s day with this revitalizing cocktail, featuring the tangy sweetness of cranberries and the warm, spicy flavor of cloves.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz triple sec
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed orange juice
– 1/4 cup cranberry juice
– 1/4 cup ginger beer
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– Slice of orange, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, triple sec, and orange juice.
3. Shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds to combine and chill ingredients.
4. Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
5. Add cranberry juice and ginger beer.
6. Sprinkle a pinch of ground cloves on top.
7. Garnish with an orange slice.
Cooking Time: None, as this is a cocktail!
Enjoy your Winter Corpse Reviver!
Corpse Reviver No. 2 with Lemongrass and Lime
Revive your spirits with this twist on the classic Corpse Reviver cocktail, featuring the bright, citrusy flavors of lemongrass and lime.
Ingredients:
– 1 1/2 oz gin
– 1/2 oz brandy
– 1/2 oz Cointreau or other orange liqueur
– 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
– 1/4 oz simple syrup (equal parts water and granulated sugar, dissolved)
– 1/4 oz lemongrass-infused simple syrup (see note)
– Juice of 1 lime
– Splash of soda water
– Lemongrass sprig or lime wheel for garnish
Instructions:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add gin, brandy, Cointreau, lemon juice, and regular simple syrup.
3. Shake until chilled, about 15-20 seconds.
4. Strain into a chilled glass filled with ice.
5. Add lemongrass-infused simple syrup and lime juice.
6. Stir gently to combine.
7. Top with a splash of soda water.
8. Garnish with a lemongrass sprig or lime wheel.
Cooking Time: None
Summary
Revive your cocktail game with these 19 creative twists on the classic Corpse Reviver recipes! From Lavender Infusion to Pumpkin Spice Syrup, and from Spicy Chili-Infused Gin to Hibiscus Syrup, each recipe adds a unique spin to this timeless drink. With options ranging from Autumnal flavors to Winter warmers, there’s something for every palate. Whether you’re a seasoned mixologist or just looking to spice up your social gatherings, these Corpse Reviver variations are sure to impress.
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