Calvados Appletini

ABV 11.8% / 1.5 Alcoholic Units

Primary Spirit: Calvados

A Brief History of a Calvados Appletini

The Appletini was created in the late 1990s during the cocktail revival in the U.S., quickly becoming a favourite for its bright and sweet apple flavour. The Calvados version brings a nod to French tradition, using the Normandy region’s famous apple brandy, which has been produced for centuries. This adaptation merges the modern appeal of the Appletini with the classic elegance of Calvados, creating a unique cocktail that bridges tradition and innovation.

Taste and Flavour Profile

The Calvados Appletini has a vibrant apple flavour, with Calvados lending a more authentic, earthy apple taste compared to traditional apple-flavoured spirits. The sweetness of the apple is balanced by a gentle tartness from fresh apple juice, while the oak-aged Calvados adds subtle warmth and complexity. The finish is smooth and slightly dry, making it a more layered and interesting alternative to the original Appletini.

Food Pairings

The Calvados Appletini pairs well with dishes that highlight apples or light, fresh flavours:

• Pork Dishes: Roast pork with apple sauce or grilled pork chops complement the apple and oak notes in the cocktail.

• Cheese Platters: Mild cheeses like Brie, Camembert, or a tangy goat cheese pair beautifully with the drink’s fruity and slightly acidic nature.

• Apple-Based Desserts: Apple tarts, caramelised apple crêpes, or a light apple sorbet mirror the cocktail's flavour while providing a sweet contrast.

Bar Equipment:

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Hawthorne strainer
• Fine sieve
• Coupe glass

Ingredients

• 40ml Calvados
• 30ml  Cloudy apple juice
• 20ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 10ml Simple syrup*
• Garnish: apple slice
• Ice

*Simple syrup - 1 part sugar to one part water. Gently heat in a pan until sugar has dissolved and allow to cool

Method

• Add all the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake and double strain into a chilled coupe glass
• Garnish with slice of apple

What's the best Calvados for a Calvados Appletini?

For a Calvados Appletini, you'll want a Calvados that offers a balance of fresh apple flavours and subtle complexity without overpowering the cocktail. Here are some of the best options:

• Calvados Boulard VSOP: This is an excellent choice for its smooth and balanced flavour. It brings out rich apple notes with hints of oak, which enhance the depth of the cocktail without overshadowing the fresh, fruity elements.

• Domaine Dupont Fine Reserve: A younger, fruit-forward Calvados with bright, fresh apple flavours that work beautifully in cocktails. Its vibrant, crisp profile makes it a perfect match for an Appletini.

• Christian Drouin Sélection: Known for its approachable price and quality, this Calvados delivers fresh apple and light vanilla flavors, providing a lovely base for the cocktail without being too heavy.

Each of these options offers a refined balance of apple and oak that complements the other ingredients in a Calvados Appletini.

The Calvados Appletini is a sophisticated upgrade to the classic Appletini, featuring the rich, complex flavours of Calvados. Its blend of fresh apple sweetness, subtle tartness, and oak-aged depth makes it a refined yet approachable cocktail. Paired with pork, cheese, or apple desserts, this cocktail is perfect for those who want to experience a more elegant take on the fruity martini.