IBA
Corpse Reviver No. 2 – IBA
Shake ∙ 3 min ∙ 21.8% ABV ∙
The Corpse Reviver No. 2 shakes equal parts gin, orange curaçao, aromatized wine and lemon juice with a dash of absinthe into a citrusy IBA sour. Sharp lemon and orange peel lead, gin and the aromatized wine keep it dry underneath, and a whisper of absinthe lingers anise-cool on the finish.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Shake all ingredients with ice: London dry gin 30 mlOrange curaçao liqueur 30 mlAromatized wine 30 mlLemon juice 30 mlAbsinthe 1 dash
- Strain in chilled cocktail glass
- Garnish with an orange twist
Tips
- The dash of absinthe goes into the shaker with everything else rather than as a glass rinse — one dash carries through the whole drink.
- Shake all four equal-part ingredients (gin, curaçao, aromatized wine, lemon juice) hard for 10-12 seconds with fresh ice to reach proper dilution and a pale, frothy texture.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice only; bottled juice throws off the balance since it's a full equal quarter of the total volume.
- Double-strain into the cocktail glass to remove ice shards and pulp, then express an orange twist over the surface before dropping it in.
History
The Corpse Reviver name dates to at least the mid-19th century, when it was used in England as a general term for any morning-after drink meant to revive a person after a night of heavy drinking. The earliest known use of the phrase appears in the British satirical magazine Punch in December 1861, and the first published recipe under the name appeared in 1871 in The Gentleman's Table Guide, calling for equal parts brandy and maraschino with a dash of bitters. Through the rest of the 19th century "corpse reviver" remained a loose category rather than a fixed recipe, with numerous different formulas appearing in bar guides. The version known today owes its survival to Harry Craddock, head bartender of the American Bar at London's Savoy Hotel, who included two distinct Corpse Reviver recipes, No. 1 and No. 2, in his 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. Craddock's Corpse Reviver No. 2, built on gin, orange liqueur, Kina Lillet, and lemon juice with a dash of absinthe, became the far more popular of the two and is the version generally meant when the name is used today, distinguishing it from the brandy-and-Calvados-based No. 1.
FAQ
What is a Corpse Reviver No. 2?
It is a shaken sour built from equal parts gin, orange curaçao, aromatized wine such as Lillet Blanc, and fresh lemon juice, finished with a dash of absinthe and an orange twist. It belongs to the Corpse Reviver family of cocktails once served as hangover cures, though this version is really a well-balanced citrus sour rather than a literal remedy.
What is the ratio for a Corpse Reviver No. 2?
This build uses equal parts gin, orange curaçao, aromatized wine, and lemon juice, plus a single dash of absinthe to rinse or season the glass. The four core ingredients in equal measure make it easy to scale up or down while keeping the balance intact.
What does IBA mean for a cocktail?
IBA stands for the International Bartenders Association, which maintains an official list of specified classic and contemporary cocktails used as a training and competition standard worldwide. A cocktail labeled "IBA" has a codified recipe recognized by the organization, as is the case with the Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Is a Corpse Reviver an energy drink?
No, it is an alcoholic cocktail, not an energy drink. The Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a gin-based sour with an ABV around 21.8%, named for its reputed power to revive a hungover drinker rather than for any caffeine or stimulant content.
Is a Corpse Reviver No. 2 shaken or stirred?
Shaken. The lemon juice and curaçao need the aeration and quick chill of a hard shake, then a fine strain into a chilled glass for a clean, bright drink.
What glass is a Corpse Reviver No. 2 served in?
A cocktail glass, served up and garnished with an orange twist.
