Happy Friday! I’m going to attempt to post a cocktail each Friday to help kick off the weekend.

Pictured here is a Corpse Reviver 2, which I don’t have too often, but I had all the ingredients in the liquor cabinet. Of course, this was determined by CocktailDB (and the wonderful Cocktails iPhone app)…

• ¾ oz Gin (I used Citadelle Gin)
• ¾ oz Cointreau
• ¾ oz Lillet Blanc
• ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
• Dash of Absinthe or Pastis (I used L’Absinthe Verte Suisse)
• Brandied cherry at the bottom of the glass makes it pretty 🙂

Paul Clarke of The Cocktail Chronicles recently highlighted the CR2 as his Mixology Monday “First Timer” drink; that is, an easy, approachable drink for our friends that are new to, and uninformed about quality cocktails. He describes it nicely…

The CR#2 is simultaneously straightforward and complex. Yes, it has gin, but as long as you don’t pummel your initiate with an aggressive gin or something cheap and harsh, it’s doubtful even ginophobes will have much of a problem with it. Then, the classic interplay between fresh citrus and Cointreau, and finally the Lillet – slightly orangey, mildly sweet.

I agree that it makes gin a bit more palatable for our friends who don’t quite favor the botanicals of most gins. This drink can also introduce the drinker to absinthe, which is also an acquired taste.