Name: Norman Conquest
Total time: 3 min
Cuisine: Cocktail
Ingredients: 30 ml Calvados apple brandy; 30 ml Bourbon whiskey; 30 ml Rosso/sweet vermouth; 1 dash Aromatic bitters

Ingredients

1 fl oz

Calvados / apple brandy / straight applejack

1 fl oz

Bourbon whiskey

1 fl oz

Strucchi Rosso Vermouth

1 dash

Angostura Aromatic Bitters

How to make

Glass

Prepare

Select and pre-chill an OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.

Prepare garnish of orange slice wheel.

Method

STIR all ingredients with ice.

STRAIN into ice-filled glass (preferably over a large cube or chunk of block ice).

Garnish

Garnish with orange slice wheel.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol

Medium

Boozy

Sweet

Medium

Dry/sour

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Norman Conquest contains 194 calories

Alcohol content:

1.7 standard drinks
26.54% alc./vol. (53.08° proof)
24 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

Rosso/rouge/sweet vermouth (di Torino) — Sulphur Dioxide/Sulphites

Comments & Discussion

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Bob Sawyer 48w

The 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book has a similar cocktail, the Jersey Lightning, that replaces the bourbon with regular brandy. The proportions are slightly different as well, being 1/2 brandy, 1/4 Calvados, 1/4 Italian Vermouth, and a dash of Angostura. Have not tried either, but as it's cocktail night here, I'm about to...

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 43w

Thanks, Bob. I've added the Jersey Lightning to Difford's Guide.

Mookie Premium Member 1y

I found this one fascinating, it certainly hints at sweetness up front but it doesn't linger. I did not use a garnish and I'm curious how much it would have impacted the flavor. guess I'll have to make it again when I have an orange!

Keith Clarke 1y

I am sure this has been done before but I just switched the bourbon with rye and I like the spiciness this brings to the drink.

Peter M Premium Member 1y

I made this with Avallen Calvados, Wild Turkey 91 bourbon (50/50 mix of 101 & 81), & Dolin Rouge. Nice nightcap. The Avallen doesn't have any added sugar, so there was only a slight sweetness up front with each sip. I think I'll try this again with a little bit of 2:1 sugar syrup or maple syrup (as suggested by Jay Longy D.) Apple on the nose (almost smells like apple juice), slightly sweet apple on the front of the sip, boozy in the middle, fading into bourbon, then an herbal, dry, slight bitterness that lingers on the tongue a bit. Seems like this one could maybe be added to the Autumn/fall category here on DG, given the flavors.

Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member 1y

Thanks, Peter. I've added to the Autumn/fall category.

Jay Longy D. 3y

Great. I wanted a slightly sweeter drink than it was in the base. I added 5 ml of maple syrup and found a wonderful drink for tonight. Maple syrup and calvados are a fun combination.

Peter M Premium Member 1y

I made this with Avallen Calvados which I think is on the drier side of things since they don't add any sugar. A nice drink as-is but not very sweet with a slight bitterness at the end of the sip, so I might have to try this one again with some maple syrup!

Kristen Tomaszewski 3y

A well-balanced cocktail which I enjoyed, even though I'm not typically a fan of Manhattans. Still, I think that the opportunity to name this a "Big Apple" was tragically missed.

fred88 4y

Amazed by this cocktail. Marriage of Bourbon, Calvados and Sweet Vermouth is creating a new flavor, like in Tiki drinks when you mix different rums. This one is quite strong (don't hesitate to dilute it when you stir), but perfectly balanced. You can use any Calvados AOC Pays d'Auge "Fine" (ie 2 years old or less), but use a Wild Turkey Bourbon and a Martini Rosso Vermouth, as the balance is the key to enjoy this cocktail.

Katie Winder 4y

This was a very nice evening drink to have by the fireplace. Strong but balanced. I increased the bitters by a dash. If I had a good cocktail cherry I would have added it to the garnish.