This is simply a playful variation on the classic Sidecar that we whip out from time to time for the right customer. Calvados is a French apple brandy treated with the same care as cognac. To play off the apple flavors, we added ground cinnamon to the sugar rim—a classic pairing with apples.

　　

Ingredients

makes 1 drink

　　Lemon wedge

　　4 tablespoons superfine sugar lightly speckled with 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated cinnamon, for rim

　　1 ounce Daron Fine calvados

　　1 ounce Cointreau

　　1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　1 orange twist, for garnish

　　

Step 1

Moisten the rim of a cocktail glass with the lemon wedge. Carefully dip the rim in the cinnamon sugar so that only the very top edge is coated evenly. Place the glass in the freezer to let the sugar rim harden. Pour the calvados, Cointreau, and juice into a mixing glass. Add large cold ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with the orange twist.

　　

tasting notes

Step 2

Dominant Flavors: burned brandy and citrus with orange on the nose

　　

Step 3

Body: rich, medium

　　

Step 4

Dryness: medium

　　

Step 5

Complexity: medium

　　

Step 6

Accentuating or Contrasting Flavors: cinnamon oak and sugar granules

　　

Step 7

Finish: medium, slightly spicy with cinnamon bark and orange oil overtones

　　

Step 8

Glass: cocktail

　　Reprinted with permission from Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined by Jason Kosmas and Dushan Zaric, © 2010 Ten Speed Press. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.