What is calvados and where can you buy it?

Calvados has been made for centuries, but the past few years have seen it creep onto drinks menus. It's delicious sipped neat (it goes beautifully with a cheeseboard), but also works really well in cocktails. Use instead of cognac in a sidecar, or mix with tonic water for a refreshing highball. When choosing which calvados to buy, opt for a younger option if you prefer more fruity, floral flavours. Spirits that have been aged for longer will have notes of dried fruit and spice.

Where to buy calvados

Avallen calvados, £37.95/70cl, The Whisky Exchange

This modern, carbon-negative calvados is now available in a recycled paper bottle. Expect bright apple flavours and a warming finish.

Coupette X Sassy calvados, £32/70cl, coupette-market.com

Bethnal Green bar Coupette teamed up with French cider brand Sassy for this drinkable calvados, brimming with green apple and white flower notes. Drink with tonic water.

Calvados recipes

Hot toddy

This classic winter cocktail traditionally uses whisky mixed with honey, lemon and spices. Calvados makes an equally good substitute.

Sidecar

This classic sour usually features cognac, but calvados makes a fine alternative, with the apple flavours complementing the citrussy Cointreau and lemon in this recipe.

Calvados-poached pears with cardamom custard and sesame brittle

Make a calvados and perry syrup to poach the pears in, and serve with sweet-savoury sesame brittle and lashings of silky, cardamom-infused custard for a stylish autumnal pud.