Calvados substitutes
The closest substitute for Calvados is Apple Brandy, which works and barely changes the drink. Calvados is French apple brandy. Cognac and Brandy also work.
What to use instead of Calvados
| Substitute | How much | Strength |
|---|---|---|
Apple BrandyAlmost the same Calvados is French apple brandy. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV |
CognacWorks, tastes different Grape instead of apple. Same amount | Same amount | 40–45% ABV |
BrandyWorks, tastes different Grape instead of apple. Same amount | Same amount | 36–45% ABV |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Calvados, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Angel Face
30ml (1 oz) Calvados → 30ml (1 oz) Apple Brandy
Same strength
- Corpse Reviver No. 1
22.5ml (¾ oz) Calvados → 22.5ml (¾ oz) Apple Brandy
Same strength
- Jack Rose
45ml (1½ oz) Calvados → 45ml (1½ oz) Apple Brandy
Same strength
- Widows Kiss
45ml (1½ oz) Calvados → 45ml (1½ oz) Apple Brandy
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Calvados | Apple Brandy |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–45% ABV | 40–50% ABV |
| Taste | Rich apple, Caramel, Oak, Warm spices | Apple, Oak, Vanilla, Warming, Fruit |
| Aroma | Apple, Baked fruit, Vanilla, Oak, Spice | Fresh apple, Baked apple, Oak (if aged), Spice |
| Finish | Long, Apple, Warming, Complex | Apple, Warm, Dry |
| Property | Calvados | Cognac |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–45% ABV | 40–45% ABV |
| Taste | Rich apple, Caramel, Oak, Warm spices | Grape, Dried fruit, Vanilla, Oak, Subtle spice |
| Aroma | Apple, Baked fruit, Vanilla, Oak, Spice | Dried fruit, Floral, Oak, Vanilla, Spice |
| Finish | Long, Apple, Warming, Complex | Long, Warming, Complex, Smooth |
Already have one of these?
If you have Boulard VSOP, Christian Drouin VSOP or Père Magloire XO, you don't need a substitute: they are all Calvados. How they differ
What is Calvados?
Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, France, with rich apple flavor and oak complexity. Essential for the Jack Rose and French-influenced cocktails.
Got Calvados? It also replaces
Questions about Calvados substitutes
What is the best substitute for Calvados?
Apple Brandy is the closest substitute for Calvados and barely changes the drink. Calvados is French apple brandy. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Calvados in an Angel Face?
Apple Brandy: swap 30ml (1 oz) of Calvados for 30ml (1 oz) of Apple Brandy.
Which Calvados brands can I use?
If you have Boulard VSOP, Christian Drouin VSOP or Père Magloire XO, you don't need a substitute: they are all Calvados. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Apple Brandy instead of Calvados change how strong the drink is?
Barely. In the 4 drinks on this page that use Calvados, Apple Brandy changes the strength by less than one percentage point.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Calvados?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.