Hot Apple Brandy
Calvados folded into warm cloudy apple juice with honey, cinnamon and clove — a rich, orchard-scented warmer with the brandy added off the heat.
Ingredients
- 50 ml apple brandy — Calvados, added off the heat
- 200 ml cloudy apple juice
- 15 ml honey
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 whole cloves
Method
- Pour the cloudy apple juice into a small pan and add the cinnamon stick and cloves.
- Warm gently over a low heat and stir in the honey until dissolved.
- Let the spices infuse for a few minutes, keeping the temperature around 65°C and never boiling.
- Take the pan off the heat, then pour in the apple brandy so its flavour is preserved.
- Strain into a heatproof glass and serve at once.
How to serve
- Glassware
- Heatproof glass
- Serve temperature
- Warm, around 65°C
- Garnish
- Apple slice and cinnamon stick
Hot apple brandy is an orchard in a glass: warm cloudy apple juice spiced with cinnamon and clove, sweetened lightly with honey, and lifted at the last moment with a measure of Calvados. By adding the brandy off the heat, you keep all its fragrant depth, making this a richer, more grown-up cousin of the mulled cider.
The case for Calvados
Calvados, the apple brandy of Normandy, is distilled from cider and carries a wonderful concentration of orchard fruit. Folded into warm apple juice, it amplifies everything that is good about the base, adding warmth and complexity without the drink ever tasting harsh. Any good apple brandy will do, but Calvados is the classic choice.
Heat and timing
The single most important step is to add the brandy after the pan leaves the hob. Heat the juice and spices gently to infuse them, then take the pan off and pour in the Calvados, so its aromatics survive into the glass. Boiling at any stage would dull both the spirit and the spice.
If you enjoy spirit-led apple warmers like this, you may also appreciate Hot Apple Gin, which takes a similar orchard-and-spice approach with gin in place of brandy. It makes a fine alternative when you want something a little lighter on a cold evening. See our full guide to Hot Apple Gin for the method.
Strain into a heatproof glass and garnish with an apple slice and a cinnamon stick.
Frequently asked questions
Why add the brandy off the heat?
Apple brandy is delicate and its aromas are easily driven off by heat. Adding it once the pan is off the hob keeps its character and warmth intact.
What is Calvados?
Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, distilled from cider. Its deep, fruity character makes it a natural match for a warm apple drink.
Can I use a different apple brandy?
Yes. Any good apple brandy works well, including English varieties or American applejack, so use what you have to hand.
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