3 Festive Cocktails for Your Easter Celebration

Ken Hallenius

Here’s a simple life rule that I try to follow: festive occasions call for festive libations. Easter is one of these festive occasions, if not the most festive of occasions for Christians. But exactly what makes for a festive Easter drink?

On this day when we commemorate Jesus rising from the dead, I’d like to introduce you to three appropriate options: the Corpse Reviver, the Easter Mimosa, and the Burning Hearts.

Corpse Reviver

According to Ted Haigh, author of Vintage Spirits & Forgotten Cocktails, the original Corpse Revivers were more a class of drinks than a single recipe. The idea was that the morning after an evening of over-imbibing, a little “hair of the dog that bit you” could help revive your spirits. There were four or five different recipes using different base spirits (brandy, gin, whiskey), but the recipe that has endured is the gin-based Corpse Reviver #2.

The best part about this cocktail is that it tastes great even if you haven’t had a drop of alcohol for 40 days. The herbal flavors from the gin and Lillet Blanc are balanced with the sweet Cointreau, while the tartness of the lemon juice highlights the subtle citrus notes. All of these are tied together by a hint of anise and fennel from the absinthe. The overall impression is that of drinking the aroma of a spring morning, recalling to mind what Mary Magdalene might’ve smelled while encountering the risen Jesus in the garden. Happy Easter!

Corpse Reviver #2

(Recipe by Ted “Dr. Cocktail” Haigh)

1 oz gin
1 oz Cointreau
1 oz Lillet Blanc (a sweet aromatized wine)
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 to 3 drops (not dashes) absinthe or pastis (Pernod, Herbsaint, and Ricard all work)

Shake in an iced cocktail shaker, and strain into a cocktail glass.

Garnish with a stemless maraschino cherry dropped into the bottom of the glass.

Easter Mimosa

A tasty accompaniment to any brunch is a traditional Mimosa cocktail, blending together champagne and orange juice. But on this Easter Day, you should “kick it up a notch” with the addition of a little Cointreau or triple sec, the sweetness helping to balance the tartness of the main ingredients. The lightness of this drink in the mouth, combined with the visual of bubbles rising through the glass, reminds us of Jesus rising from the dead. Alleluia!

Easter Mimosa

1/2 oz Cointreau or triple sec
1-1/2 oz fresh orange juice
3-1/2 oz chilled champagne or dry sparkling wine

Build in the given order in a champagne flute.

Garnish with an orange slice.

Burning Hearts Cocktail

The Gospel of Luke tells us that on the afternoon of Easter Sunday, two disciples were walking from Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus when Jesus met them on the road, though His identity was hidden from them. During their walk together, Jesus explained the scriptural prophecies about His own death and resurrection. Later His identity was revealed to them as He broke bread just as He did at the Last Supper, whereupon He disappeared before their eyes. The disciples marveled to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us as he opened the scriptures to us?”

This Burning Hearts cocktail, with its red tint and delicate berry flavor, is lovely both to look at and to taste. Enjoy one with a friend!