This Normand Fizz apple Calvados cocktail with a hint of ginger has fall written all over it.
Each season has its flavors, each holiday its traditions and every occasion its cocktail. With cooler weather and shorter days comes a natural return to fortifying spirits and familiar fall ingredients like apples and warming spices.
Fall is generally the season marked by crisp air, leaves turning colors, longer nights and cozy sweaters. And while that may be true for the rest of the country, here in Southern California we rarely reach those chilly temperatures that require the fortification of strong spirits. Yet, that has never stopped me from embracing seasonal traditions in the face of somewhat unseasonal weather. With incredible displays of rosy apples dominating the landscape at farmers’ market stalls this time of year, it's hard to resist their allure.
The Normand Fizz, as I like to call it, has cool weather written all over it, with ingredients like apples, ginger and Calvados (a type of French apple brandy from Normandy). It's simultaneously cool and warm, sweet and spicy.
This apple cocktail balances tart against sweet, just like peak-of-season apples, and showcases their crisp clean fall flavor. Sweet-tart varieties like Pippins and Pink Ladies are good choices here because their sharpness stands up to the other ingredients. Full-flavored Calvados create a robust drink that enhances the apple's aromas and gives an autumnal character to the cocktail.
Muddling sliced tart apples lends a delicate flavor. The drink gets a spicy kick from a ginger infused simple syrup (the same one I used in my ginger lemonade) while the apple offers an understated sweet-tart note that lingers against the heat.
You'll feel toasty and warm in no time.
The Normand Fizz | Apple Ginger Calvados Cocktail
This Normand Fizz apple calvados cocktail with a hint of ginger has fall written all over it.
Ingredients
- 4 thin tart apple slices
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 oz/ 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 oz/ 2 Tablespoons honey ginger simple syrup
- 2 oz/ ¼ cup good-quality Calvados
- Ice cubes
- Soda water to top up
- Lemon peel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle 2 of the apple slices, the maple syrup and lemon juice.
- Add the ginger simple syrup, Calvados and a few ice cubes. Cover, shake and strain into ice filled glasses.
- Top up with soda water and garnish with the remaining apple slices and twists of lemon peel.
Notes
Calvados is an apple brandy similar to Applejack — Applejack is American and Calvados is French. French Calvados is generally considered superior but they’re close enough so you can substitute one for the other in this recipe if you can't find Calvados.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Sodium: 0mgCarbohydrates: 0gSugar: 0g
Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Shaina says
These are absolutely gorgeous, and they sound amazing. I love apple cider, and I can only imagine the apple brandy and ginger together. Heaven in a glass.
Kristen says
Wow, Sylvie. Yet again, you have amazed me with your talent! What a delicious and beautiful drink.
Nutmeg Nanny says
This cocktail looks great! Apple and ginger togther....yum yum! Or should I say slurp slurp 🙂
Delishhh says
So jealous - i wish i had warm weather, woke up to frost on the car this morning - YUCK! The drink looks fabulous, wish i could have one. But i only have three months left 🙂
Divya says
Stunning photos as usual, Sylvie! I love the idea of a fall cocktail that really represents the season. It looks like a very elegant drink worthy of a dinner party.
Nadia says
lovely cocktail. it's such a nice idea to make seasonal drinks, we usually neglect them. lovely photos - gorgeous light. 🙂
Tina@flourtrader says
I have been wanting to get some Calvados and this is a lovely reminder. This drink has a wonderful appearance and perfect for fall entertaining.
Katrina @In Katrina's Kitchen says
I love anything ginger. This reminds me that I want to make your ginger lemonade too! 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
what a beautiful cocktail! if only i could drink alcohol right now...looks like a mocktail version for me 🙂
Liz says
I feel like I say the same words every time I comment...but your photos are consistently stunning, your recipes amazing, and your voice is awesome. Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us all, Sylvie!
Sylvie says
Thank you Liz, that means so much to me. xo