The 10 best Calvados cocktails

Introduction

Unveil Calvados: Heart of Orchard Cocktails

Calvados, the renowned apple brandy from the Normandy region in France, adds an exquisite layer of complexity to cocktails with its rich, fruity, and occasionally spicy undertones.

This listicle is your ultimate guide to exploring the top 10 cocktails that brilliantly harness the essence of Calvados. Considered a versatile spirit, Calvados blends seamlessly with various ingredients, from sweet syrups and citrus juices to herbal liqueurs, making every cocktail an unforgettable experience. Whether you are a cocktail aficionado or a budding mixologist, understanding how Calvados influences the flavor profile of a cocktail is essential.

Its apple or pear-based origins contribute both a touch of sweetness and a sharp bite, making it an invaluable ingredient for cocktails ranging from rich and creamy to light and refreshing.

Top 10 Calvados cocktails

  • · · · · · ·   Widow's Kiss
  • · · · · · ·   Apple and Custard
  • · · · · · ·   Jack Rose
  • · · · · · ·   Corpse Reviver
  • · · · · · ·   The Colonel
  • · · · · · ·   Lazy Man Flip
  • · · · · · ·   Diamondback
  • · · · · · ·   Jean Gabin
  • · · · · · ·   Apple Sunrise
  • · · · · · ·   Angel Face

Conclusion

More about Calvados

1. Widow's Kiss

This concoction is a classic testament to the harmony between herbal and apple flavors. The addition of DOM Benedictine and Yellow Chartreuse introduces a world of herbal sweetness, while the Angostura Bitters bring a subtle spice that cuts through, ensuring that the Calvados remains the star of the show. Originating from an older era, this cocktail is a bridge between history and modern palates, offering depth, warmth, and a lingering complexity.

Ingredients

Method

Begin by combining all the ingredients in a mixing glass (for stirring) or a shaker (if you prefer your drink shaken) filled halfway with ice
If you're stirring, use a long spoon to do so gently for about 10-15 seconds, ensuring the mixture is well-cooled but not overly diluted
On the other hand, if shaking is more your style, give it a vigorous shake for 10-15 seconds or until the exterior of the shaker feels frosty to the touch, indicating the drink is nicely chilled
Next, take a chilled glass, ensuring it's been kept in the freezer for a bit or filled with ice water for a few minutes to get that perfect chill
Finally, strain the mixture into your prepared glass, capturing the ice and any undissolved ingredients, leaving you with a smooth, refreshing cocktail ready to enjoy
Go to recipe

2. Apple and Custard

Imagine a dessert in a glass that's both intoxicating and comforting. The combination of Vanilla Syrup, Apple schnapps, and Advocaat with Calvados creates a silky, indulgent texture reminiscent of classic custard, while the apple notes from the Calvados infuse it with a fresh orchard breeze. This drink not only showcases the spirit's versatility but also its ability to transform a cocktail into an exquisite dessert experience.

Ingredients

Method

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well
Strain into a chilled martini glass, garnish with an apple slice and serve
Go to recipe

3. Jack Rose

This cocktail is a colorful dance of flavors, featuring a mix of lemon and lime juice, alongside raspberry and grenadine syrups, creating a vibrant fruit bouquet that perfectly complements the apple base of Calvados. The addition of an egg white offers a silky texture, making every sip a luxurious experience. A staple in cocktail menus, it represents the perfect balance between tartness and sweetness, with a dash of orange bitters to add complexity.

Ingredients

Method

Start by combining all your ingredients in a shaker filled with ice
If your recipe includes egg white, you might want to first do a dry shake (shaking the ingredients without ice) to get a nice froth
Shake everything together vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until you notice the shaker's exterior frosting up, indicating it's sufficiently chilled
After shaking, use a fine strainer to pour your cocktail into a pre-chilled glass, ensuring a smooth texture by leaving any ice chips or solid ingredients behind
This will give you a perfectly mixed and chilled drink ready to enjoy
Go to recipe

4. Corpse Reviver

A revival of an almost forgotten classic, this drink merges Cognac and red vermouth with Calvados to produce a cocktail that's both robust and elegant. The combination brings out the best in each spirit, highlighting Calvados’s fruity essence alongside the depth and richness of cognac and the sweet, herbal notes of vermouth. It's a sophisticated choice that speaks to those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Ingredients

Method

Stir all the ingredients along with a dash of water, in a mixing glass with ice
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Go to recipe

5. The Colonel

Here, the earthy spice of cinnamon and the herbal notes of Green Chartreuse intertwine with the crispness of cider and the robustness of bourbon, all brought together by Calvados. This cocktail is a complex tapestry of flavors, each sip revealing a new layer and showcasing Calvados's ability to unite diverse ingredients into a cohesive, flavor-packed drink.

Ingredients

Method

Combine all the ingredients along with 60ml/2 shots of hot water in a mixing glass
Stir and pour into a teacup
Garnish with an apple wedge, sliced into a fan, and serve
Go to recipe

6. Lazy Man Flip

Designed for those lazy days where simplicity is key, this cocktail manages to offer complexity without complication. The combination of ruby port and sugar syrup complements the apple tones of Calvados, with an egg white to smooth out the textures. It's an easy-drinking yet intriguing blend that serves as a testament to the simplicity of good ingredients coming together to create something spectacular.

Ingredients

Method

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
Shake well then strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish by expressing the oil from an orange peel twist and adding some grated nutmeg, then serve
Go to recipe

7. Diamondback

This drink is a testament to the bold, adventurous spirit of cocktail lovers, blending the spicy warmth of rye whiskey with the sweet and herbal notes of Yellow Chartreuse, all harmonized by the smooth, fruity Calvados. The addition of water is pivotal, merging these strong personalities into a perfectly balanced, intense yet sippable concoction.

Ingredients

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Method

Start by giving all your ingredients a good stir along with some ice in a mixing glass, aiming for a solid 10-15 seconds to ensure everything is nicely chilled and mixed
After you've stirred everything to perfection, proceed to carefully strain the mixture into a glass that's been chilled in advance
This way, each sip will be perfectly cool and refreshing
Go to recipe

8. Jean Gabin

This cocktail is a soothing, creamy blend that combines the tropical warmth of dark rum with the sweetness of maple syrup and the rich body of milk, subtly spiced and elevated by the Calvados. It's reminiscent of a comforting, boozy latte, perfect for evenings when both warmth and indulgence are sought after.

Ingredients

Method

First heat up the milk in a pan until warm and frothy
Pour in the hot milk into an Irish coffee glass and add the rum and calvados
Stir in the maple syrup until it has dissolved
Sprinkle some nutmeg on top as a garnish and serve
Go to recipe

9. Apple Sunrise

Refreshing and invigorating, this cocktail is a melody of the sweet and tangy, combining orange juice and Creme De Cassis with Calvados for a sunrise effect in your glass. It's vibrant, with a stunning visual appeal and a flavor to match, perfect for brunches or as an evening refreshment.

Ingredients

Method

Add the orange juice, crème de cassis and calvados to a cocktail shaker with ice
Shake well and strain into an ice-filled highball glass
Garnish with a slice of apple and serve
Go to recipe

10. Angel Face

A balanced trio that showcases the elegance of minimalism, combining gin and apricot brandy with Calvados to create a smooth, sophisticated drink. Each ingredient is given room to shine, from the juniper notes of the gin to the sweet warmth of the apricot brandy, all enhanced by the depth and fruitiness of Calvados. This cocktail is a celebration of clarity and refinement.

Ingredients

Method

Pour all ingredients into a shaker with ice
Shake well then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and serve
Go to recipe

Conclusion

Our selection of the top 10 cocktails with Calvados was meticulously curated based on ingredient harmony, historical significance, and unique flavor profiles.

Each cocktail showcases the ability of Calvados to elevate the drinking experience, blending tradition and innovation in every sip. These recipes are celebrated not only for their delightful taste but also for the stories they tell and the sensory experiences they evoke. From the warmth of spiced notes to the freshness of citrus, Calvados is at the heart of these creations, proving its status as a versatile and cherished ingredient in the cocktail world.

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More about Calvados

ORIGINS_HISTORY

What is the history and origin of Calvados?

Calvados is a distinguished apple brandy that originates from the Normandy region of France. Its history dates back to the 16th century, but it gained official recognition in the 19th century when the name 'Calvados' was attributed to apple brandy produced in certain areas of Normandy. The spirit's production involves fermenting apple cider into brandy, followed by a mandatory aging process in oak barrels. This method has been refined over centuries, contributing to Calvados's rich cultural and historical significance in French gastronomy and mixology.

INGREDIENT_SPECIFICS

What makes Calvados unique compared to other brandies?

Calvados is distinctive for its exclusive use of apples (and sometimes pears) sourced from Normandy, unlike other brandies that are typically made from grapes. Its unique flavor profile is a result of the specific apple varieties used, the terroir of Normandy, and its aging process in oak barrels, which imparts a complexity of flavors including ripe apples, vanilla, wood, and spices. The meticulous production process and the mandatory aging period, which can vary from two years to several decades, allow Calvados to develop a depth and richness that's unparalleled among fruit brandies.

PREPARATION_TECHNIQUES

How can Calvados be used in cocktail preparation?

Calvados can be employed in a variety of ways during cocktail preparation, adding both complexity and a distinctive apple character to drinks. It serves as an excellent base for cocktails, offering a robust flavor profile that can stand alone or be mixed with other ingredients. For intricate cocktails, Calvados provides depth when used in smaller quantities as a complementary spirit. Its versatility also makes it suitable for both stirred and shaken cocktails, allowing for experimentation in drinks ranging from refreshing and fruity to rich and spirit-forward.

SERVING_SUGGESTIONS

What are some classic cocktails that feature Calvados?

Classic cocktails featuring Calvados include the 'Jack Rose', with lemon or lime juice and grenadine, and the 'Calvados Cocktail', mixed with orange liqueur and lemon juice. Another notable mention is the 'Normandy', which combines Calvados with orange juice and a hint of triple sec, creating a refreshing drink. These cocktails showcase Calvados's versatility and ability to harmonize with a variety of flavors, making it a staple ingredient for classic and innovative cocktails alike.

NON_ALCOHOLIC_VARIATIONS

Can you suggest any non-alcoholic substitutes for Calvados in cocktails?

For non-alcoholic versions of cocktails typically using Calvados, apple cider or apple juice can serve as a good substitute, mimicking the apple component of the brandy. Non-alcoholic apple cider provides a sweet and tangy base, while apple juice offers a sweeter profile. To emulate the depth and complexity of Calvados, consider adding a dash of non-alcoholic vanilla extract or a sprinkle of cinnamon. These alternatives can help approximate the unique flavor profile of Calvados in non-alcoholic cocktails.