Corpse Reviver No. 1
A fruity and sweet cocktail ∙ Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 28% ABV ∙
The Corpse Reviver No. 1 is a stirred, spirit-forward brandy cocktail of Calvados, Cognac, and sweet vermouth with a dash of absinthe, served up. Deep orchard-fruit warmth from the Calvados meets Cognac's dried-fig richness, the vermouth's sweetness and a trace of anise trailing on the finish — a fitting nightcap.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Calvados 30 mlCognac 30 mlRosso vermouth 30 mlAbsinthe 1 dash
- Fine strain into the chilled glass
- Express a lemon twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Stir the equal-parts Calvados, Cognac, and Rosso vermouth with ice for about 20-30 seconds to achieve proper dilution without clouding the drink.
History
The Corpse Reviver family of cocktails takes its name from the long-standing bar tradition of the "hair of the dog," a morning-after drink meant to revive a drinker from the effects of the previous night. Cocktails bearing this name appeared in print as early as the late 19th century, with recipes for a Corpse Reviver documented in British and American bar guides by the 1890s and 1900s, well before the drink was standardized.
The version now known as Corpse Reviver No. 1 was codified by Harry Craddock, head bartender at London's Savoy Hotel, who published it alongside a Corpse Reviver No. 2 in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930. Craddock's No. 1 was built as a brandy-based, spirit-forward mix intended for sipping rather than the lighter, more citrus-driven No. 2, distinguishing it within the same family of restorative morning cocktails.
