Corpse Reviver No. 2

Inspired yet again by another brilliant Rachel Maddow "Cocktail Moment", I decided to try my hand at another vintage cocktail: the Corpse Reviver No. 2.:

Corpse Reviver No. 2

• Cocktail shaker with ice,
• 1½ oz. Gin (I used Tanqueray),
• 1½ oz. Cointreau,
• 1½ oz. Lillet Blanc,
• 1½ oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice,
• 1 dash absinthe (I used Sirene from North Shore Distillery),
• Shake,
• Strain into chilled cocktail glass,
• Twist of lemon.

 

At first blush, I enjoyed it.  It's obviously a "breakfast cocktail" as the flavors are bright, almost cheery, and the hit of alcohol is eye-opening.  However, I found it to be very, almost too, citrusy.  I think next time I would attempt the same with a drier gin, perhaps something along the lines of  North Shore's Distiller's Gin No. 6, or perhaps (gasp!) Bombay Sapphire.  I also wondered what the same drink would taste like with orange juice and an orange twist garnish.