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.
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
Though it's getting increasingly warmer - and the days longer - here in Melbourne, I still see this beautiful cocktail as the perfect refreshment. I am a true lover of ginger - you had me by the first line!
anh says
Just awesome, Sylvie! Your work is always stunning
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Gorgeous!!! I love the sound, and the look, of this cocktail. Calvados is a favourite of mine, and I love that slice of apple.
Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet says
Just gorgeous Sylvie! You make everything look so incredibly amazing. This cocktail is now on my Thanksgiving menu. Love it. Thank you for sharing!
Xoxo
Heather
Kulsum at JourneyKitchen says
What do I say? You see what everyone is saying, I want to say that and again that I think you are awesome!
Cookin' Canuck says
Okay, I can tell already that this cocktail is going to become a favorite of mine. Wonderful cold weather flavors, Sylvie. We will have lots of family visiting over the holidays and I have a feeling this will be just the thing to keep everyone in a joyful mood. 😉
Kelly says
That apple slice in the center of the drink is superlative. Breathtaking photography.
Amanda says
This whole POST made me feel happy and cozy. I just love your voice, the way you make a drink seem like an trip to a magical place... and of course, the stunning pictures. Your vision for photography is just amazing Sylvie!
Cookie and Kate says
I love these photos—such marvelous depth of field. I haven't heard of Calvados before but I know I would love this cocktail!
Barbara | Creative Culinary says
I just did an apple, bourbon and ginger ale cocktail that was perfect; you are so right about the seasonal changes and how we warm to those ingredients that seem to fit. Please make sure you add your cocktail to my Happy Hour Friday; it's gorgeous Sylvie.
Sylvie says
I'll do that, thanks Barbara!