Calvados is a brandy made of apples produced in Normandy known for its distinct taste and exact cultivation. Apart from drinking Calvados in its own right but you can also make use of it to make cold cocktails as well as to make exquisite food pairings. The process of learning to drink Calvados is sure to be enjoyable and rewarding for those who love apple cider, brandy, or special tasting experiences.

  1. Take a shot of Calvados on its own. Uncork a bottle with at room temperature Calvados and pour 2 portions into a glass. Enjoy a small amount, and let the Calvados spread across your tongue. Take note of its taste when it is in your mouth instead of taking it in quickly and drinking it.
    • Calvados is usually served in a classic balloon glass. Drink it in glassware with a tulip shape that curves slightly to the right towards its top. [1]
    • When you are tasting Calvados, Try to observe the way that the fruity sweet and sweet flavors complement the more mellow flavors. Try to detect fresh, acidic flavors such as fresh pears or subtle creamy flavors like vanilla, cinnamon or oak. You can describe the flavor that you recognize.
  1. Drink drinking a glass of Calvados prior to or following eating dinner. Many people drink Calvados as an Aperitif. In the same way, many drink Calvados after meals to help digestive health. [2]Experiment using both methods to determine which one works best for you. Drinking glasses of Calvados to clean your palate in between meals.
  2. Try adding the ice. If the apple brandy is overwhelming, You can reduce the flavor by adding one or two cubes of ice. [3]If the taste of the Calvados is strong, you can continue to adjust the flavor accordingly.

Making Cold Calvados Cocktails

  1. Re-invent the Old Fashioned by adding Calvados. Pour 2 12 ounces of Calvados along with half a teaspoon of simple syrup into the mixing glass. Add a pinch of Angostura bitters. Serve in a glass with the ice. Decorate with the twist of orange or lemon zest. [4]
    • When you twist the citrus peel, be sure to place the garnish on top of the drink so that the oils released by the citrus spray into the drink.
    • Craft a Calvados Sidecar. Make a cocktail glass rimmed with equal amounts of sugar and cinnamon. Pour 1 ounce of Calvados, one ounce of orange liqueur, and 1 teaspoon of juice from a lemon into the shaker of a cocktail. The shaker should be filled with an ice cube and shaken vigorously, and then strain the liquid in the glass. Add a slice of lemon or orange peel. [5]
    • To finish the rim of your cocktail glass, rub a lemon wedge on the glass’s rim. Make sure to dip the rim of your glass into the cinnamon sugar mixture. Make sure to cover the rim in a uniform manner.
  1. Mix ginger beer with Calvados to make a refreshing summer drink. Pour half an ounce of Calvados and 4 ounces of ginger beer into an oversized glass. Pour in ice as well as a splash of Angostura bitters. Add a wedge of lime. [6]

 

Pairing food and wine with Calvados

 

  1. Mix Calvados with sorbet to make an authentic French sweet. Place a scoop of apple sorbet in the bowl. Pour 2 ounces of Calvados on top of the apple sorbet. In Normandy, this dish is consumed to cleanse the palate at the end of a meal or after a meal. [7]
  2. Serve Calvados on the cheese platter to create a delicious dish. Try your Calvados with rich blue cheese Brie, brie, or other soft cheeses. The creamy flavor of soft cheeses will enhance the fruity flavor that the wine has. [8]
  3. Drink a glass of Calvados with an easy fruit platter. Apple brandy is an elegant accompaniment to a range of fruits that are fresh. Apricots, peaches, pears, and prunes go well with Calvados. [9]
    • Naturally, apple brandy can also be enjoyed with a variety of fresh apples.