Cocktail College The Corpse Reviver No. 1
Oct 23, 2025
Join Ben Hopkins, the beverage director at Pitts in Brooklyn, as he delves into the intriguing world of the Corpse Reviver No. 1. This cocktail, darker and mellower than its sibling, balances Cognac and Calvados with sweet vermouth; Ben shares his preferred recipe and the importance of ingredient choices. He explores cocktail history, the medicinal roots of drinks, and Harry Craddock's influence on cocktail canonization. Plus, Ben highlights the need for modern bartenders to embrace classic recipes while ensuring consistent quality.
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No.1 Is A Different Creature
- The Corpse Reviver No. 1 is a darker, stirred counterpart to the famous No. 2 and reads more like a nightcap than a morning pick-me.
- Its identity depends heavily on context, ingredients, and whether you treat it as a sipper or a bracer.
Ben's Personal Take On The Build
- Ben frames No.1 as a play between two brandies anchored by sweet vermouth, describing it structurally as a Manhattan without bitters.
- He admits he doesn't find it well balanced but still enjoys it and experiments heavily with it at his bar.
Historical Context Shapes Purpose
- Historic drinking norms made alcohol a daily medicinal and social staple, so 'reviver' drinks were functional as much as ceremonial.
- Understanding that context changes how we judge balance and purpose in these old recipes.