They don't call it "Corpse Revivor" for nothing

Another day, another unpublished piece. This one is from the Food & Entertainment Writing, spring 2010. I haven't been back to Gilt Bar since doing the research for this piece but the food was phenomenal, and I heard they opened a second (basement) lounge in addition to the main restaurant. Worth checking out if you're in the River North area.

Gilt Bar and the Corpse Revivor
By Brittany Petersen

Gin hasn’t been in vogue since the 1930’s; in fact it’s mostly been relegated to martini menus for more than three generations. Modern social drinkers tend to default to the familiar and simple, especially those who spent college in a screwdriver-and-rum-and-Coke-induced haze. But with the rise in popularity of pre-Prohibition lounges like Gilt Bar, at 230 W. Kinzie, classic, complex, gin- and whisky-based cocktails may be entering a whole new heyday.

Among the bar’s nine specialty cocktails ($10 each) is my favorite classic—the Corpse Reviver No. 2, which is made with gin, Cointreau, Lillet blanc, lemon juice, and absinthe. Described by a Gilt bartender as “lemonade with a hint of annis” (thanks to the absinthe), the Corpse Reviver No. 2 is a smooth, light cocktail that may be the answer for those looking for a gateway into the world of gin. Whereas some gin-based concoctions may leave their drinker smelling of pine trees after a few rounds thanks to the juniper berries from which liquor is derived, the Corpse Reviver No. 2 conceals the gin in a delicate balance of flavors and offers a mild tang that fans of sweeter and vodka-based drinks will enjoy.

Flaunting sultry hues, gold-gilded mirrors, lone Edison bulbs, and miles of dark wood, Gilt Bar succeeds in bringing to mind a 1920’s speakeasy with a modern flair. If you’re looking to expand your knowledge of gin drinks and get in touch with some classic recipes, Gilt Bar and the Corpse Reviver No. 2 are a great place to start.

My Blackberry picture-taking skills are unparalleled.