A Norman Winter: An Apple-y Drink for Dark Days of Winter


From 2008: It began snowing at 9 p.m. last night and did not let up until late morning today. My husband moved the cars, took the snowblower out of the horse barn and began lugging it up and down the hill to create a path around the house, while clearing the driveway and the sidewalk. He took the blower, new last winter, down the street, too, helping our neighbors as they have often helped us.

He needed a stiff drink when he came inside, or so I reasoned. I've been itching since October to create something made from the bottle of Calvados we bought in Paris in 2007 and the cider we always keep on hand during the last three months of the year.

I have some Norman blood, and have always had a weakness for cider, apples and anything related. I was happy to find both pear and apple cider available in the Lot during the two weeks we were there recently (was it three months ago already?) and managed to imbibe a bottle each, along with the legendary dark wine of the area.

When my husband came in from the cold, stomping the snow off his boots, I handed him a newly-concocted drink I call a Norman Winter.

Here's my recipe for a Norman Winter:
  • 5 ounces Calvados or apple brandy
  • 1/2 cup apple cider
  • generous splash lemon-lime soda or non-alcoholic sparkling cider
  • splash of lime juice
  • 4-5 ice cubes
Pour all the ingredients over ice. Garnish with an apple slice or slip a few slices into the drink. Marashino cherries would be a nice contrast.




Comments

Mary Bergfeld said…
I love the name you've given your concoction. With those ingredients it's hard to go wrong.
Unknown said…
Mary, I think so, too. I thought of a bunch of other names, but this drink was a cold one, so "winter" seemed to work.
Judy said…
That sounds really really good Mimi. With our cold weather it would probably be a nice warm up too. I love the name of your drink too.
Anonymous said…
I love the "Norman Winter" name too, and it sounds delicious.

It also sounds very cold and wintry in your part of the world.
Unknown said…
Judy, winter has sure come early this year. Just a few years ago, we were not getting cold and snow until late January.

Fi, do you call this time of year winter or summer?
Anonymous said…
Hi, Mimi - It's me, the former FrenchWannabe. Well, I gave up the quest to be French and decided that losing weight would probably make me happier...so far so good.

Come and pay me a visit at my new blog if you like: http://lter4ever.blogspot.com.

Oh, and I love the Norman Winter! You are so creative. That husband of yours is one lucky guy!
Unknown said…
Welcome back, LTer4ever, and congrats on your weight loss. Best to do it now - it gets harder with age!
lady jicky said…
Oh Mimi I love cider! I am going to give your drink a go!
Its Christmas Eve here so I wish you and all your readers a Merry Christmas.
Unknown said…
A votre santé, Lady Jicky, and Merry Christmas, too. I hope you enjoy the drink!
Anonymous said…
Downunder its summer time, supposedly... though we have had rain for two days solid. The temps are mild, high 70's.

It will be Christmas Day here in just a few short hours. Merry Christmas to you Mimi and all who visit this great site :)
Unknown said…
Bless you, Fiona!

Merry Christmas to you, too.

December has been brutal here.
Christine said…
I love calvados so I'm betting I would love this drink. And Norman Winter - what a perfect name! This may become my "Far-Away". Thanks Mimi!
Unknown said…
To put this in the same league as The Faraway is high praise - thanks, Christine!

Popular Posts