Jenever Cocktails

Jenever, sometimes spelled genever, is often described as the original precursor to gin. It is a juniper-flavored spirit that originated in the Netherlands and neighboring regions and has been enjoyed for centuries. While it is sometimes referred to as Dutch gin or Holland gin, jenever has its own distinct history, production style, and flavor profile that sets it apart.

There are two main styles of jenever: oude (old) and jonge (young). These names do not refer to aging but to the distillation method and recipe. Oude jenever follows a more traditional approach, using a higher percentage of malt wine, which gives it a richer, grain-forward flavor. Jonge jenever was developed in the 20th century and uses a lighter, more neutral base, resulting in a cleaner, smoother taste.

Because of these differences, jenever works beautifully in a wide range of cocktails. Some drinks highlight its malty depth, while others lean into its lighter, more refreshing side. Whether you are new to jenever or already familiar with it, these cocktails are an easy way to explore both styles and discover which you prefer.

The Traditional Way to Drink Jenever: The Kopstootje

In the Netherlands, jenever is traditionally served ice cold in a small tulip-shaped glass filled all the way to the rim, so full you have to bend down and take the first sip with your hands behind your back before picking the glass up. It's usually paired with a beer chaser, a combination called a kopstootje, which translates to “little headbutt.” You'll see this ordered at almost any traditional Dutch brown cafe. It's less about getting a shot down fast and more a small ritual, and it's worth doing at least once if you're spending time in the Netherlands.

Living here, we've come to see jenever less as a novelty and more as something Dutch people actually drink, especially in winter or after a big meal, poured cold from the freezer.

A Few Jenever Brands Worth Trying

If you want to taste jenever the way the Dutch do, skip the flavored bottles aimed at tourists and look for one of these instead:

• Bols – one of the oldest and most widely available brands, a reliable starting point for both oude and jonge styles.
• Rutte – a smaller, well-regarded distillery known for barrel-aged and botanical varieties.
• Zuidam – a family-run distiller that makes some of the most highly rated jenever in the country.
• Hooghoudt – a northern Dutch brand with a long history, easy to find in most Dutch liquor stores.

Any of these will give you a much better sense of what jenever actually tastes like than the bottom-shelf bottle at an airport duty-free.