Corpse ReviverCocktail recipe
Rating
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
The Corpse Reviver is a classic cocktail with a name that suggests its historic use as a hair-of-the-dog remedy, intended to jolt the drinker back to life with its potent blend. The drink is a harmonious mix of cognac, Calvados, and red vermouth, creating a rich and aromatic flavor profile with depths of fruit and spice.
The use of Calvados, an apple or pear brandy from Normandy, France, adds a distinct layer of fruity complexity which, along with the herbal notes of the red vermouth, complements the robustness of the cognac. Served in a cocktail glass, the Corpse Reviver is both an elegant and bracing concoction, revered for its balance and its unapologetic nod to the traditional stiff drinks of the past.
Microbadges
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Cocktail Colin says:
The Corpse Reviver is a masterful blend that harks back to the days of "medicinal" sips, pairing the mellow warmth of cognac with the crispness of Calvados and the botanical kick of red vermouth. This intoxicating mix not only revives the senses with its rich, aromatic profile, but its balanced interplay of fruit and spice makes it a sophisticated choice for anyone looking to explore the depths of classic cocktail craftsmanship.
Method
How to make a Corpse Reviver
- Cognac 60ml, Calvados 30ml, Red vermouth 30ml
-
- Stir all the ingredients along with a dash of water, in a mixing glass with ice
-
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Power tips
Elevate the Corpse Reviver with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Opt for a high-quality Calvados to enhance the fruitiness and complexity of the cocktail.
- Add a small amount of orange bitters to introduce a subtle citrus note that enhances the depth of the ingredients.
- Upgrade to premium to receive even more power tips on this cocktail.
Your private tasting notes
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the name 'Corpse Reviver'?
The name 'Corpse Reviver' belongs to a family of cocktails that were traditionally consumed as hangover cures, 'reviving' those who felt like 'corpses' after a night of heavy drinking. The term has been applied to various recipes over the years, each intended to rejuvenate whoever consumes it.
How should the Corpse Reviver be served for the best taste?
The Corpse Reviver is best served in a chilled cocktail glass to enhance its flavors. The ingredients are stirred, not shaken, and then strained into the glass to maintain a smooth texture. Serving it cold enhances the nuanced flavors of the Cognac, Calvados, and Red vermouth.
Can I substitute any ingredients in the Corpse Reviver without changing the flavor profile significantly?
Substitutions can be tricky as each ingredient in the Corpse Reviver plays a significant role in its flavor profile. However, you might experiment with different brands of Cognac, Calvados, or Red vermouth. The key is to maintain the balance between the strength of the Cognac, the fruitiness of the Calvados, and the sweetness of the Vermouth. Substituting one for a similar quality and flavor profile may not significantly change the overall taste.
Is there a non-alcoholic version of the Corpse Reviver?
While the Corpse Reviver is traditionally an alcoholic beverage, you can create a non-alcoholic version by using non-alcoholic substitutes for Cognac, Calvados, and Red vermouth. There are several non-alcoholic spirits on the market that mimic the flavors of these alcoholic ingredients. Keep in mind, the taste will not be identical, but it can offer a similar aromatic and flavor experience.
What food pairs well with a Corpse Reviver?
The Corpse Reviver, with its balance of smooth Cognac, fruity Calvados, and sweet Vermouth, pairs well with a variety of foods. Appetizers like a cheese plate, especially with hard cheeses, or smoked salmon can complement its flavors nicely. For mains, consider dishes that have a sweet and savory element to them, such as roasted duck or pork with a fruit glaze.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Access to Cocktail Colin; ask Cocktail Colin anything on an individual cocktail and he'll give you the answers you need.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
Discover this timeless blend of cognac and lemon
Sidecar
Cognac, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice
Indulge in this classic cognac and port blend.
Port Flip
Cognac, Port (Tawny port), Sugar / simple Syrup, Egg
Experience this festive mix of whiskey and cherry brandy.
Christmas Cake Martini
Cherry Brandy, Whiskey, Cognac, Lime juice, Sugar / simple Syrup, Almond extract
Experience this rich mix of Cognac and milk.
Brandy Milk Punch
Cognac, Sugar / simple Syrup, Milk
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Cocktail Colin
Your cocktail expert
Hi! I'm Cocktail Colin
Ask me anything about this cocktail - how to make it, substitutions, variations, or any other questions!
Become a member to access Cocktail Colin
Become a member (for free) to pick Cocktail Colin's cocktail filled brain on everything on this cocktail, from substitutions, if you can use what you have, to serving suggestions and more.
Become a member
Comments