Are you looking for a unique alcohol to add to your drink but don’t know what? Calvados can be your great choice.
This apple brandy is distilled from fresh apples or pears that have been mashed and fermented.
It’s full of flavor while still maintaining its lightness, making it great for adding something special to any alcoholic beverage.
However, if you can’t get it, a few alternatives can bring similar levels of delight!
Read on below as we explore these excellent options to substitute for calvados.
What Is Calvados?
Calvados is an apple brandy from the Normandy region of France. It is made from apples fermented and distilled in oak barrels.
The product is a clear, light-bodied spirit with a sweet, slightly oaky flavor profile.
Calvados has been used in cooking for centuries and can be found in many French dishes.
It can be used in desserts, particularly those involving apples, to enhance and balance sweetness.
It can also be used as a cooking spirit to make sauces such as Béarnaise or Hollandaise and reductions for braised meats or glazes for roasted vegetables.
Calvados is also enjoyed neat as an after-dinner digestif.
The spirit’s unique flavor makes it a great addition to any cocktail, adding depth and complexity.
Try it in a French 75 or an Apple Martini for a special twist on classic cocktails.
Substitutes For Calvados
Calvados is a unique French apple brandy that can be difficult to find in some areas.
If you’re looking for something similar, here are some alternative options:
Apple Cider
Apple Cider is a type of cider made from apples. It is an alcoholic beverage that can range in alcohol content from 2 to 8%.
Apple Cider can also be used as a cooking ingredient, adding flavor and sweetness to many dishes.
It can be used in marinades, glazes, dressings, sauces, stews, roasts and even desserts.
Apple Cider can provide a unique flavor to recipes and add moisture and sweetness.
It also helps tenderize meats and vegetables when used in marinades.
When baking, it adds richness to cakes, pies and other baked goods.
Apple Cider is a versatile ingredient used in many recipes to add flavor and depth of taste.
Apple Essence
One option to substitute for calvados is apple essence.
Apple essence is a flavoring extract made with apples, commonly used in baking and other cooking recipes.
It adds an intensely sweet apple flavor to baked goods such as cakes, muffins, and bread.
It can also make drinks like cider or even cocktail mixers.
Apple essence can enhance the flavor of savory dishes like pork chops or roasted vegetables.
You can find the apple essence in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, and it’s also commonly available online.
Apple Butter
Apple Butter is a thick, dark spread made from cooked apples and spices.
It is commonly used in baking recipes or as a topping for toast, pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast foods.
Additionally, it can enhance the flavor of savory dishes such as pork chops, baked chicken, roasted vegetables, or even mixed into mashed potatoes and squash.
It can also be used as a glaze for grilled meats, such as pork tenderloin or salmon.
For those looking for an even sweeter option, try stirring some apple butter into your morning oatmeal or yogurt.
Apple Juice
Apple juice is a type of juice made from apples that have been crushed and then strained.
It can be consumed plain or used in cooking and baking recipes.
Apple juice has a sweet and tart flavor, making it great for use in pies, muffins, cakes, sauces, glazes, smoothies, cocktails, and marinades.
It adds a hint of sweetness and tartness to recipes while also providing some helpful health benefits.
It is a great source of Vitamin C and can boost your immune system.
Pear Brandy
Pear Brandy is a type of distilled spirit made from the fermentation and distillation of pear juice.
It has a sweet, fruity flavor and can be found in many different forms.
Pear Brandy can be used to make cocktails or as an ingredient in desserts such as tarts and pies.
In cooking, it adds depth and complexity to sauces, reductions, glazes, and marinades.
It can also flavor cakes, cookies, desserts, and other baked goods.
The sweetness of Pear Brandy makes it perfect for use in sauces or glazes for grilled meats like chicken or duck.
When added to a reduction sauce for steak or lamb, the sweet pear flavor adds another dimension of flavor that is sure to please.
Pear Cider
Pear Cider is a type of alcoholic beverage made from fermented pears.
It has a sharp, tart flavor that is similar to that of apple cider or wine.
Pear cider can be used in sweet and savory dishes as an ingredient in marinades, sauces, dressings, soups and stews.
In baking, it adds richness and depth to cakes, pies and tarts.
Pear cider can also be used in cocktails or as a stand-alone drink.
Its light and refreshing flavor makes it a great choice for summer refreshments.
To serve pear cider on its own, chill it well and pour it into glasses with plenty of ice.
Add sliced pears to the glass before pouring over the cider for an extra special touch.
White Wine
White wine is a fermented, alcoholic beverage with white grapes or other light-colored fruits.
The most common types of white wine are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling.
White wines have a light acidity and can be dry or sweet depending on the grapes used.
It is a popular choice for cooking due to its light flavor and acidity.
Its flavor can range from light and fruity to bold and complex.
White wines are often used in recipes that require white sauces or creamy, light flavors such as cream soups.
White wine also pairs well with fish, poultry and vegetable dishes. It can also be included in marinade recipes for added flavor.
Furthermore, white wine can be used in desserts such as cakes and custards.
Red Wine
You can also use red wine to substitute for Calvados.
It is a type of alcoholic beverage made from grapes. It typically ranges in color from deep, rich purple to light ruby red.
Red wines are usually aged longer than white wines and typically have a higher alcohol content.
They tend to have more complex flavors from the grape skins and tannins, giving the wine its strong body and flavor profile.
Red wines are often used to create sauces, marinades or as ingredients for stews and braised dishes.
Red wine can also be added to stocks and soups for an extra depth of flavor.
It is even sometimes used in desserts such as trifles or cakes for a unique twist.
The acidity of some red wines can also be used to balance out the sweetness of a dish.
Red wine can even be used as an ingredient for making jams or chutneys.
FAQs
Can White Wine Replace Calvados?
Yes, white wine can be used in place of Calvados. However, it will not have the same flavor profile as traditional brandy.
Can You Replace Calvados With Cognac?
Yes, you can use cognac as a substitute for calvados in recipes.
However, the flavor of cognac will be different than calvados and may change the overall taste of the dish.
Can You Replace Calvados With Apple Jack?
Yes, you can replace calvados with apple jack in some recipes.
However, the flavor of your dish may change slightly as apple jack is a bit sweeter and less intense than Calvados.
Conclusion
Calvados is a French apple brandy used in cooking and baking. It adds a unique flavor to savory dishes, desserts, and sauces.
However, if you are looking for a substitute for calvados, there are many options, such as apple butter, apple cider, apple essence, apple juice, pear brandy, pear cider and wines.
Each ingredient has a unique flavor that can be used to enhance recipes for different flavors and levels of sweetness.
With just a little experimentation, you will surely find the perfect ingredient to replace Calvados in your cooking.
