Breakfast of champions

Jason Wilson weighs the merits of drinking before 11 am in the article, “Spirits: Corpse revivers, the original energy drink” in today’s Washington Post.

Wilson’s early morning choice was the Corpse Reviver No. 2, a more exciting selection than the typical bloody mary, Irish coffee or pint of beer.

• 3/4 ounce gin, preferably Plymouth
• 3/4 ounce Lillet Blanc
• 3/4 ounce orange liqueur, preferably Combier or Cointreau
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon absinthe (may substitute Pernod)
• Preserved or maraschino cherry, for garnish

Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add the gin, Lillet Blanc, orange liqueur, lemon juice and absinthe. Shake well, then strain into a chilled cocktail (martini) glass.  Garnish with the cherry.

He based his recipe on The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock. Ted Haigh has a slightly boozier recipe, calling for 1 oz. each of gin, Cointreau, and Lillet Blanc.  He upped the lemon to 1 oz. as well, and recommends 1 to 3 drops of absinthe or pastis, noting that Pernod, Herbsaint and Ricard would all work, too.

If you’re interested in indulging in a morning tipple and flying under the radar afterwards, this cocktail might be more up your alley.