Witch's Orchard

Sidecar/New Orleans Sours & Riffs • December 16, 2025

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A photo of the Witch's Orchard cocktail containing Roger Groult 3 Year Reserve Pays D'Auge Calvados, Strega Liquore, Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb, Freshly squeezed lemon juice, Peychaud's Bitters in a Coupe.

Curiada Ingredients

2.00 fl oz Roger Groult 3 Year Reserve Pays D'Auge Calvados or alternative
0.75 fl oz Strega Liquore or alternative
0.50 fl oz Rhum Clement Creole Shrubb or alternative
2.00 dash Peychaud's Bitters or alternative

Other Ingredients

0.75 fl oz Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Chill coupe glass
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker
Add ice to shaker
Shake vigorously
Fine strain into chilled coupe glass
Garnish rim with Strega chocolate or brandied cherries

Cocktail Description

The Witch's Orchard is a bewitching potion that marries the crisp, apple-forward notes of Calvados with the herbal complexity of Italian Strega liqueur.

This elegant coupe cocktail delivers a sophisticated balance of flavors—the aged Calvados provides a rich apple foundation while the saffron-infused Strega contributes mysterious herbal notes with hints of mint and fennel. The dry curaçao adds subtle orange depth, brightened by fresh lemon juice, with Peychaud's bitters tying everything together with anise and floral accents. Relatively simple to craft at home with a basic shake and strain technique, it makes an impressive option for autumn gatherings or Halloween parties when you want something more refined than the usual fare. The Witch's Orchard pairs beautifully with savory appetizers like mushroom tartlets or a cheese board featuring aged cheeses, particularly those with nutty characteristics like Comté or Gruyère. For a non-alcoholic dinner pairing, try it alongside roasted pork with apple compote to complement the cocktail's fruit-forward profile.