Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

What Is Genever and How Is It Related to Gin?

Popular for ages in the Netherlands and Belgium, genever (also known as geneva, genievre, jenever, Holland gin, or Dutch gin) is a distilled malted spirit (like an unaged Scotch whisky) that is often blended with grain neutral spirit, then infused or further distilled with various herbs and spices, including a healthy amount of juniper, like gin. It can be clear, lightly aged, or aged in oak for several years.

It was genever that British soldiers “discovered” when fighting alongside the Dutch in the late 1500s (it served both medicinal and recreational functions and provided the term “Dutch courage,” as it was swigged right before battle). This soon led to the creation of juniper-driven gin.

An opened bottle and a glass of genever beside a cork on a wooden round table with grass as background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Gin is a ubiquitous bottle on bar carts and shelves, but an equally delicious and unique relative is often overlooked. Genever is a centuries-old distilled spirit that eventually led to the creation of the juniper-heavy gin most drinkers are familiar with. Unlike gin, however, which can be made anywhere, genever must be made in the Netherlands, Belgium, or parts of France and Germany.

The spirit dates back to at least the 1500s and is a distilled malted spirit, much like a whiskey. It is then infused and distilled further with a variety of botanicals — like juniper! Genever can be unaged, lightly aged, or heavily aged, depending on a drinker’s preference.

Genever vs. Gin

Unlike gin, which is generally started with a neutral grain spirit leaving little in the way of taste, the base spirit of a genever contributes massive amounts of flavor to the finished product. The malted grain base (often malted barley, rye, or corn) adds an array of levels to its flavor profile, often putting forth an earthy, mineral-like foot forward.

A glass of genever on bar counter with a midsection of a man behind it.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Genever Types

Oude genever is “old,” referring to its more traditional method of production. It has a minimum of 15% malt wine, which gives it a more robust flavor profile. Jonge Genever is “young,” which includes a maximum of 15% malt wine combined with neutral spirit, so it is lighter on the palate and a bit friendlier to novice mouths. There is also Korenwijn, which is 51% to 70% malt wine. Those types can all be aged in wood, which adds colors and flavors, just like in whiskies, tequilas, and rums.

An overhead shot of two glasses of genever beside an opened bottle with handle and its cork on wooden table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Uses for Genever

Mostly forgotten in American bars, genever is having a renaissance of sorts as bartenders find ways to incorporate it into ever-expanding, innovative cocktail menus. In some cases, that means using genever as a rinse, as one would use absinthe. The beverage as a base can also equally be substituted for many gins, whiskies, and even a lightly aged rum.

A close-up of a glass of genever in a bar.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Genevers to Try

Bols Genever

A bottle and a glass of Bols Genever with garnish on plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If you’ve run across genever outside of The Netherlands, it’s probably been from this producer. Bols has done plenty of the heaving lifting to reinvigorate interest in the U.S. for the traditional spirit. There are three types, ranging from its standard genever to a 100% malt, unaged genever that will test a seasoned drinker.

De Borgen

A sealed bottle of De Borgen on plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the portfolio of genever styles that span the spectrum, check out De Borgen. There’s a jonge genever that pushes juniper and citrus flavors and drinks similar to gin. Its style goes heavy by mixing unaged malt wine with 17-year-old malt wine, looking to play the backbone of a hearty cocktail. There is also a cask-finished genever that provides a great on-the-rocks sipper.

Old Duff

A bottle of Old Duff Real Dutch Genever on plain background.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Old Duff is a brand made by a family of distillers that dates back to 1777. Each component of the spirit was made in Holland, from the malt that was milled in the country to the bottling of the liquid. It claims it is one of three brands to carry the “Seal of Schiedam,” which guarantees it is 100% malt wine with no natural alcohol and is made in Holland.

The brand has two expressions: Old Duff Genever and Old Duff Genever 100% Maltwine. Old Duff Genever 100% Maltwine is 2/3 rye and 1/3 malted barley, fermented for five days, and distilled three times. It’s infused with juniper and English hops. Old Duff Genever carries the same malt wine bill as the 100% but mixes in a 47% wheat spirit, as well as more botanicals, including orange and lemon peel, coriander, star anise, and licorice.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Pat Evans
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Pat Evans is a writer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, focusing on food and beer, spirits, business, and sports. His full…
3 Things to Look For in Emerging Sustainable Food Brands
How to Know if Food Brands are Really Sustainable
Herd of Cows

Eating sustainably is challenging. In our intro guide to sustainable eating, we break down the high-level basics of starting the journey toward eating more sustainably. Reducing food waste and shopping locally are two easy ways to get started. However, what's not so easy is figuring out what food brands are genuinely sustainable. 

We all have busy lives, and researching every brand before we hit the grocery store is not practical for everyone. Also, food packaging doesn't always do a great job highlighting a food manufacturer's sustainability practices. To help us sort out what to look for in sustainable food companies, we reached out to Paul Lightfoot, Founder of BrightFarms, and creator of the Negative Foods Newsletter. 

Read more
Is Soy Good or Bad for You? You Be the Judge
tofu and edamame.

It’s no secret that plant-based protein has taken center stage in recent years, with options from pea protein to hemp popping up in everything from recovery shakes to protein bars and more people adopting plant-based diets than ever before. But before these newer, trendier plant-based proteins hit the scene, soy was the OG and star of the show. In fact, soy has been consumed in certain places around the world for literally thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that it was one of the first plant-based proteins to appeal to vegetarian, vegan, and plant-forward consumers.

Not only is soy incredibly versatile (it can be eaten whole as edamame or used to make tofu, non-dairy milk, veggie burgers, protein powders, the list goes on), it has also been shown to have a variety of impressive health benefits, from promoting a healthy heart to supporting a healthy gut. Even so, there’s a good chance you’ve heard that men should avoid soy because it can mess with your hormone levels, most notably estrogen and testosterone. So, what’s the deal?

Read more
The Best Hiking Snacks To Fuel Your Time on the Trail
best hiking snacks the preparation for tomorrow is doing your today

Warmer weather is on the horizon and it's finally time to dust off the hiking gear that’s been hibernating in the back of your closet all winter, and make some hiking snacks that will get you ready to hit the trails. From getting fresh air and exercise to enjoying scenic vistas, hiking is one of the best ways to get outdoors and enjoy nature. But, whether you're taking on one of the most physically challenging hikes in the United States or embarking on a short and simple day hike, it's important to be prepared with the right equipment -- and that includes the best hiking snacks. 

If you're keeping your hike relatively short, there's no need to reach for the dehydrated meals. What you do want are snacks that won’t spoil, don’t take up a ton of space in your backpack, and help you stay energized and feeling good all day long. That means you'll want a mix of carbohydrates and protein, both of which your body needs to perform at its best during the hike and recover properly once you're done. So, stuff your pack with these nutritious, tasty snacks (plus plenty of water, of course) and you'll be ready to hit the trail. Just remember to pack out any wrappers or other trash you brought with you! 

Read more