Bars and restaurants around the UK are set to champion France’s apple cider brandy with events and special menus for National Calvados Week.

Running from October 18to 24,over 100 bars, restaurants and shops have already pledged to celebrate and promote calvados through cocktails, tastings, food pairings and special dishes cooked with the spirit.

It is being spearheaded by drinks company Emporia Brands in collaboration with Pere Magloire Calvados,the leading brand in France and worldwide, dating back to 1821.

Participating bars and restaurants in London will include The Blind Pig, The Luggage Room,Cafe Pacifico, Reform Social & Grill,Mahiki,The Hoxton Pony,The Cocktail Trading Co, La Perla,Skylon, Coq d’Argent. Baranis,The Light Lounge, 1SS Bar & Kitchen,Le Pont de la Tour, and Royal Exchange Grand Cafe and Sauterelle.

However,special events and menus are planned at other bars, restaurants and shops around the UK. including Lucky Liquor Co and Clouds & Soil in Edinburgh, Mr Cooper’s House & Garden and The Blue Pig in Manchester, and other venues in towns and cities such as Liverpool,Leeds and Glasgow.

For the latest list and details of events and promotions,visit the National Calvados Week website at www.nationalcalvadosweek.com.

Activity will focus on the core expressions in the Pere Magloire range: the VSOP, the XO and the 12-year-old. Recommended serves range from mixing calvados with tonic over ice or combining it with cloudy apple juice to create an Applejack.

It can also be used in cocktails such as the signature serve of a Delicious Sour, which can be found on the menu at bars such as HMSS in Bristol,but it can be used as a substitute in a range of classics such as a Sidecar,a Mojito or a Crusta. It is particularly well suited to replace American applejack in a classic Jack Rose, which combines apple cider brandy with grenadine and lime juice.

Gavin McGowan Madoo, national sales manager at Emporia Brands, said: “British people love apples and cider but we don’t drink enough calvados. Campaigns like this help to promote something that British people will love and will get across the message that this is a fantastic drink.

“It is something that is very approachable.We really want to get across to everybody to give it a try.”

Pere Magloire Calvados Delicious Sour

20ml Calvados Pere Magloire VSOP
20ml Peach wine
20ml Lemon juice 1 egg white
Shake all the ingredients and pour over ice. Garnish with dried apple slices.
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