Notes on the Second Corpse

Notes on the CorpseI am, of course, referring to the Corpse Reviver (No. 2).  Harry Craddock’s original, as published in 1930, called for equal parts lemon juice, gin, cointreau and Kina Lillet with absinthe.  Kina Lillet, which was less sweet and more bitter than the current Lillet Blanc, has not been produced since the 60’s, (or maybe the 80’s depending on who you’re reading).  So I have wanted to replace the Lillet with Cocchi Americano and Kina l’ Avion d’ Or.  Naturally, these substitutions have been tried by others and published elsewhere.  On further investigation, I have found that there were two types of Lillet produced in the 30’s: one for the French market and one for the English.  So, it’s hard to know which one Harry Craddock was using in 1930’s London.  Of course, none of this really matters unless you are a cocktail historian or really want to discover those original drinks.  What does matter is which flavors you prefer.

As an Anesthesiologist, I am always focused on awakening the unconscious, so playing with the Corpse Reviver appeals to me.  In that spirit, I tried each of the above, as follows:

  • 1 oz. Plymouth Gin
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • 1 oz. lemon juice
  • 1 oz. either Lillet Blanc, Cocchi Americano or Kina l’ Avion d’ Or
  • Rinse of Lucid Absinthe (Craddock’s original recipe called for 2 dashes which would be about 1/4 tsp)
  1. Shake the first 4 ingredients with ice
  2. Rinse a chilled cocktail glass with absinthe and drain
  3. Double strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled, absinthe rinsed glass.

 Tasting notes:

LilletBlancWith the Lillet Blanc, the initial nose is anise and lemon.  The flavor throughout is herbal and sweet lemon.  Very refreshing.  The anise aroma fades quickly, but the herbal notes of the absinthe blends well with the Lillet.

Cocchi AmericanoUsing the Cocchi Americano, the initial nose is the same as above, as is the initial flavors of herbs and sweet lemon.  The bitterness of the Cocchi Americano comes through in the middle and overpowers the herbal and sweet notes.  The bitterness quickly fades leaving a finish that is strictly lemon.

Avio d OrThe Kina l’ Avion d’ Or created a drink that is entirely different.  The initial nose is a lemon and anise with a grassy tone.  The flavor is  mildly bitter lemon with an underlying earthiness.  Very nice and very different.

In summary, I prefer the Lillet to the Cocchi Americano.  It makes a more complex drink.  The Kina, as noted, creates a markedly different flavor profile, which I also like.  While I enjoy absinthe, I think it can easily overpower this cocktail.  This is why I reduced it to a rinse.  As always, use premium liquors.  The Lillet Blanc and Cocchi Americano have become fairly common and should be available in any good liquor store.  The Kina l’ Avion d’ Or may be harder to find.

The Corpse Reviver (No. 2) is a wonderful drink and I strongly encourage you to try making one, which ever way you like.  Just keep in mind Harry Craddock’s warning, published with the original recipe: “Four of these taken in swift succession will unrevive the corpse again”

Cheers!




Cosmopolitan

Made correctly, this is actually a very nice cocktail.  Try to use real cranberry juice and not ‘Cranberry Cocktail.’

  • Cosmopolitan 31 ½ oz. citrus vodka
  • 1 oz. cranberry juice
  • ½ oz. Cointreau
  • ¼ oz. fresh lime juice
  1. Chill cocktail glass with ice and water
  2. Add all ingredients to shaker
  3. Shake well with ice 10 – 15 sec.
  4. Strain into chilled glass

Cheers!




Harrington Cocktail

  • 1 ½ oz. premium vodka
  • ¼ oz. Cointreau
  • ⅛ oz. Chartreuse
  1. Chill a cocktail glass with ice and water
  2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir with ice
  3. Strain into chilled glass over fresh ice
  4. Garnish with an orange twist



Strawberry Mint Margarita

  • 2 oz. plata tequila
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • ½ oz. simple syrup
  • 2 oz. lime sour (or 1 1/3 oz. fresh lime juice and 2/3 oz. simple syrup)
  • ¼ c sliced strawberries
  • 4 or 5 mint leaves
  1. Muddle berries and simple syrup in shaker.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and shake with ice cubes.
  3. Pour unstrained into glass.



Singapore Sling

Before Tiki was Tiki and before Donn Beach and Trader Vic were born, there was the Singapore Sling.  The original was created in 1905 at the Raffle’s Hotel in Singapore. This is a mid-century version.

    • 1 ½ oz. Gin
    • ½ oz. Cherry Heering
    • ¼ oz. Cointreau
    • ¼  oz. Benedictine
    • 4 oz. pineapple juice
    • ½ oz. lime juice
    • 1/3 oz. grenadine
    • dash Angostura Bitters
  1. Chill a Collins glass with ice and water
  2. Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake with ice
  3. Strain into a chilled Collins glass over fresh ice



The Outrigger

My riff on a classic island favorite: aged rum, Cointreau, lemon juice and lemon bitters shaken and served straight up!

  • 2 oz. good aged rum such as Zaya
  • 1 oz. Cointreau
  • ½ oz. lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp. lemon bitters
  1. Chill a cocktail glass with ice and water.
  2. While the glass chills, combine all of the ingredients in a shaker.
  3. Shake with ice until shaker is fully frosted: 10 – 15 seconds
  4. Strain into the chilled glass.

For the original,  jettison the bitters.