The Necromancer co*cktail | co*cktail Society (2024)

By Sina Torner/ Last updated on September 18, 2023

The Necromancer co*cktail, quite contrary to what the name suggests, is floral and easy to drink. It combines mellow elderflower liqueur with mystic Absinthe.

The name of this beautiful drink is pretty misleading. The Necromancer co*cktail is as far from the dark image of someone practicing black magic and talking to the dead as it possibly can.

Quick Facts Necromancer co*cktail

• Method:shaken
• Flavor profile:floral, boozy, anis
• How to serve it:straight up
• Best glassware:coupe glass
• Alcohol content:~ 18% ABV, 16 grams of alcohol per serving

Ingredients with Recommendations

Besides Absinthe, the Necromancer recipe asks for Elderflower liqueur, Gin, fresh lemon juice, Lillet Blanc, and a lemon twist.

When you stick to the recipe and pay attention to its details, you will get a perfect drink:

Absinthe:Absinthe was banned until the mid-2000s because it was believed to be dangerous and hallucinogenic. Long story short, it is not. For this drink, you best use the clear version, not the usual green kind. Read more on this below.

Elderflower Liqueur:Elderflower liqueur has a sweet, delicate, and floral taste with subtle notes of citrus and pear. Your best option is St. Germain. Alternatively, you can try the product from Pür Likör (sometimes spelled Pur Likor). If neither is an option, check out this list ofsubstitutes for St. Germain.

Lemon juice:The most important thing here is to use freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bottled juice -or, even worse- citrus aroma from the supermarket won't deliver the natural, zesty lemon flavor this co*cktail needs.

Gin:Use London Dry Gin for the Necromancer recipe. It's one of the most populartypes of gin, known for its juniper-forward taste and low sweetness level. Try Sipsmith London Dry for this co*cktail. It goes perfectly with the floral notes from the elderflower liqueur.

Lillet Blanc:Lilletis an aromatized and fortified French aperitif wine with 17% vol., usually based on Sauvignon Blanc and a citrus liqueur made from orange peels. It is sweet but refreshing, with a hint of citrus and spices.

Best Absinthe for the Necromancer

The Necromancer co*cktail does not require the better-known green-colored type of Absinthe but white Absinthe, calledla Bleue.It lacks the flavors of the herbs responsible for the green color - wormwood- and has a more licorice-forward taste.

See if you can get a bottle of Tenneyson Absinthe Royale. Otherwise, you can use the green version, if you have an open bottle at home. Absinthe is pricey, and if you don't use it often, you can save some bucks here. You can even try Ouzo instead.

Garnish

The official garnish of the Necromancer co*cktail is a lemon twist. You can place it on the rim of your glass or let it float on the drink.

Should you happen to live in an area where elder trees grow, you can add a few fragrant elderflowers. The floral scent is a beautiful addition, andfloral garnishesare a fantastic way to improve the visuals of your drinks.

History of the Necromancer co*cktail

The history of the Necromancer co*cktail does not go back very far, which means it is well-documented.

Mayur Subbarao, a New York City mixologist and former bartender at Louro in West Village, invented this riff on theCorpse Reviver No. 2. His variation gives the Absinthe a little more room to shine.

Once the ban on Absinthe was lifted in the US in 2007, the situation literally cried for a new interpretation of classics with the mysterious spirit. The Necromancer is a beautiful, contemporary example of that.

The Louro restaurant has since closed its doors for good. However, the Necromancer survived and continues to gain traction.

Related co*cktail Recipes

Absinthe is a spirit surrounded by myths and stories. For over 100 years, people believed it caused psychedelic side effects and was dangerous. The unusual color and the high alcohol content of up to 85% ABV didn't exactly help divert this belief.

Today, we know this to be untrue, and Absinthe drinks are more popular than ever. If you like a hint of anis in your drinks, how about these beauties:

• The Death in the Afternoon co*cktail
• The Dark Fairy Cream
• The Tuxedo co*cktail

You can also head over to this overview formore co*cktails with Absintheor learn how to drink it the traditional way.