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North Shore CR2 "Corpse Reviver"....$44.99 / 750ml
Each year we bring together incredible combinations of ingredients to produce special single-batch spirits. This year's is no exception. It is our delight to introduce our Spring 2010 limited release, the Corpse Reviver. Thanks to our beloved federal government, the product is officially named CR2.
This year, we have made just 515 bottles of this limited edition spirit, and as with past limited releases, once it's gone, it's gone.
The Inspiration and a Little History
As you walk through a liquor store today, you will see a number of "pre-mixed cocktails" in a bottle. Artificially flavored and colored, they almost never taste like a real cocktail would. Granted, you may not want to squeeze the lemons or limes and measure out all of the ingredients to make a cocktail, but you should not have to resort to these modern alternatives. So, we decided to show that you can make a cocktail in the bottle and make it well.
For this project, we chose a fantastic old cocktail for inspiration - one that requires ingredients that aren't always on hand, and that when made properly, is a joy to drink. As we were deciding, one of our mixologist friends made a joke about bottling a Corpse Reviver. Little did he know, we were already on that path.
About Corpse Revivers
One of our favorite cocktails is a Corpse Reviver #2. The recipe is straight forward - equal parts gin, orange liqueur (usually Cointreau), Lillet (Blanc, of the modern offerings, but originally Kina Lillet), lemon juice and a dash of pastis or absinthe. This cocktail is a great example of what we like to call "cocktail alchemy." When done properly, all of the flavors blend together perfectly and balance each other out, creating a drink that is better than the sum of its parts. The complexity of ingredients and flavors made this the perfect cocktail inspiration for the challenge.
Cocktails are an American creation, and one category of cocktails from the late 1800's were known as Corpse Revivers. As the term implies, these were meant to be consumed in the morning, typically after a night of drinking.
The first printed appearance of the term "corpse reviver" we found was from 1861. Cocktails with this name were poured at the American Bar at World's Fairs in London and in Paris. There were many variations, and many drinks labeled corpse revivers. However, after Prohibition, most cocktail historians believe that only two recipes for corpse revivers survived; the Corpse Reviver #1 and the Corpse Reviver #2. It is this Corpse Reviver #2 recipe that we decided to use as our guide for this limited release.
Producing The Spirit
In tackling this challenge, we looked for a way, through distillation, to incorporate, not only the flavors of gin, but also orange liqueur, lemon juice, Lillet, and the hint of anise and spice derived from the absinthe. We blended our special distillate with a wonderful white wine from our friend Carl Sutton at Sutton Cellars, and then added a touch of sugar to sweeten it just a tad. We were left with an exciting bottled cocktail.
The final spirit shares many traits with the Corpse Reviver #2. Aroma, flavor, even clarity (or lack thereof), echo the qualities of the cocktail. Admittedly, the one thing missing is the pulp from fresh squeezed lemons, but the taste of fresh citrus is there, coming from the fruits included in our distillation.
Tasting Notes & Recipes
The first thing you will notice is a pleasant fresh citrus aroma. Then the melody of botanicals fill in underneath, providing a full, inviting bouquet. As you drink the spirit, you will taste a delightful combination of citrus and herbal notes with a nice balance of sweetness and tartness. No single flavor dominates. A symphony of flavors, with harmonious complexity.
To enjoy this wonderful spirit, simple shake it with ice, and strain into a cocktail (martini) glass. The traditional garnish is a single cocktail cherry placed in the drink. Find our recipes for homemade cherries here
