Corpse Reviver No. 2 — Classic gin sour with absinthe rinse and orange bitters

Corpse Reviver No. 2

Classic gin sour with absinthe rinse and orange bitters

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 3/4 ozFresh Lemon Juice
    Fresh squeezed
    Substitute: Meyer lemon
  • 1 dashOrange Bitters
    Optional but traditional
    Substitute: Regans' Orange No. 6
  • 3/4 ozCointreau
    Orange liqueur
    Substitute: Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
  • 3/4 ozLillet Blanc
    French aperitif wine
    Substitute: Cocchi Americano
  • RinseAbsinthe
    For glass rinse
    Substitute: Herbsaint, Pastis
  • 3/4 ozGin
    London Dry gin
    Substitute: Plymouth gin

Instructions

  1. Rinse chilled coupe glass with absinthe, swirl to coat, discard excess

    Light coating only

  2. Add 3/4 oz gin, 3/4 oz Cointreau, 3/4 oz Lillet Blanc, and 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice to shaker
  3. Add 1 dash orange bitters
  4. Fill with ice and shake vigorously
  5. Double strain into prepared absinthe-rinsed coupe
  6. Express orange peel oils over drink

Technique Notes

Rinse the glass and discard the excess before you strain. Absinthe left in the glass swamps four equal parts that are already fighting for room.

Why the Corpse Reviver No. 2 Works

Equal parts of gin, Cointreau, Lillet, and lemon means the drink is built on simultaneity rather than balance — every flavour arrives at once. The absinthe rinse and orange bitters supply aromatic top notes the citrus and floral can ride on; the result is brighter than the sum of its parts.

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