Cocktails with Calvados
Calvados is a protected apple (and sometimes pear) brandy from Normandy, distilled from fermented cider and oak-aged at least two years. Apple leads at every age: fresh orchard fruit when young, woody caramel when old.
ABV40%That is the minimum, and older and cask-strength bottlings run higher.
Substitutes for Calvados
The obvious swap, in the same measure. Blended applejack works too but tastes lighter.
Cognac or another grape brandy
Also works, without the apple.
Pear brandy
Keeps an orchard-fruit note, but it is usually unaged and sharper. Expect a brighter drink.
On the label
- Fine / Vieux–Réserve / VSOP / XO
- The age of the youngest spirit in the blend — Fine at least 2 years, Vieux/Réserve 3, VSOP 4, XO (with Napoléon, Hors d’âge) 6-plus.
- Pays d’Auge / Domfrontais / Calvados
- The appellations — Pays d’Auge is double pot-distilled and most prized, Domfrontais includes perry pears and ages at least 3 years.
