The Corpse Reviver No. 2: A classic cocktail perfect for Halloween

Has there ever been a cocktail more suited for Halloween? (The Zombie does give it a run for its money.)

The Corpse Reviver is a bonafide classic from the Savoy Cocktail Book; originally created as a “hair of the dog” remedy, it’s meant to bring you back from the brink, revive your spirits, and shake off whatever cursed potion you drank the night before.  It's you. You're the corpse.

Dating back to the early 20th century, the Corpse Reviver comes from an era when cocktails were supposed to fix what ails you—and if you’ve ever woken up after a long night feeling like a real horror show, you’ll appreciate the sentiment. There’s even a famous warning in The Savoy Cocktail Book that drinking too many of these will “un-revive the corpse again,” so sip wisely or risk joining the ranks of the undead.

Now, let’s talk taste. This cocktail is bright and bracing, with a tart citrus kick from the lemon that’ll put some pep in your dragging step. The balanced flavors of gin, Cointreau, and the quinine-laced Lillet Blanc, plus a dash of absinthe creates a flavor that’s crisp, bracingly herbal, and refreshingly sharp. I

Topped off with a citrus twist (or not, your call), the Corpse Reviver is the perfect drink to serve when the Halloween party is winding down—or when you just need to feel alive again.

It’s zesty, it’s got a kick, and it might just bring you back from the dead... at least until the next round.