The Corpse Reviver #2 is a classic cocktail with a long and intriguing history. This drink was originally created in the late 19th century as a hangover cure, and was one of several "Corpse Reviver" cocktails that were popular at the time. The Corpse Reviver #2 is made with gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a touch of absinthe, creating a complex and well-balanced flavor profile.

While the origins of the Corpse Reviver #2 are somewhat murky, it is generally believed to have been created by Harry Craddock, the head bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London during the 1920s. Craddock included the recipe for the cocktail in his famous cocktail book, "The Savoy Cocktail Book," which was first published in 1930 and has since become a classic of the cocktail world.

The drink originally used Lillet Kina, a a discontinued version of Lillet that was produced until the early 1980s. It was similar in flavor to Lillet Blanc, but with a higher concentration of quinine, giving it a more pronounced bitterness. The reason for its discontinuation is somewhat unclear, but it is believed to be due to a change in regulations regarding the use of quinine in food and beverage products.

Quinine is classified as a medication by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and its use in food and beverage products is regulated. In the 1970s, the FDA began to crack down on the use of quinine in commercial products due to concerns about potential health risks. While quinine is generally safe when used in moderation, high doses can cause a range of side effects, including headaches, nausea, and even vision and hearing loss.

It is believed that the producers of Lillet Kina chose to discontinue the product rather than alter the recipe to comply with the new regulations. This decision may also have been influenced by changing tastes in the cocktail industry, which were moving away from bitter and herbal flavors at the time. Today, Lillet Blanc or other aromatized wines like Cocchi Americano are used in place of the Lillet Kina in classic drinks like the Vesper and the Corpse Reviver #2.

Despite its origins as a hangover cure, the Corpse Reviver #2 has become a beloved classic cocktail in its own right. It is known for its refreshing and complex flavors, and is often served as an aperitif or as a palate cleanser between courses. The drink has also been popularized in recent years by the growing interest in classic cocktails and the resurgence of absinthe as an ingredient in mixology.

Here’s how to make it:

In your cocktail shaker, add:

3/4 oz gin

3/4 oz lemon juice

3/4 oz Lillet Blanc

3/4 oz Triple Sec

1 dash Absinthe

Shake well with ice and double strain into a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

Garnish with an orange twist.