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Genever

Spirit Guide

75

Proof

37.5%

Alc/Vol

750

ML

AWARDS

Silver Medal The John Barleycorn Awards, 2020

Bronze Medal Berlin International Spirits Competition, 2021

Silver Medal San Francisco World Spirits Competition, 2022

aroma

Dill
Field Grass
Roasted Baking Chocolate
Lemon Trees
Goldenrod
Tomato-Basil Focaccia

Flavor

Fire-Roasted Tomato
Earthy Undertones
Sun-Brewed Green Tea
Everything Bagel
Orris Root
Cereal Grains

STORY

We discovered the spirit genever on a trip to Belgium in 2013. We had no idea what we'd found. It was only years later, when Echo Spirits became an idea in our minds, that we dug in to figure out what that spirit really was.

There are very few genever-style spirits made in the US. Most of them land firmly in the "gin" category, meaning they have to add more juniper than the spirit really requires. Instead, we modeled ours off of true European oude-style genevers. We treat the spirit more like a botanical-flavored malt whiskey than a malty gin.

Nuance and complexity are the name of the game. It's often easiest to start your customers off with "genever is somewhere between a gin and a whiskey", but warn them that as soon as they taste it, they'll realize it's definitely not either of those things.

Start Dreaming Of:

FRUITS

Lemon
Orange
Melon
Apricot
Mango
Coconut

SAVORY & SWEET

Chocolate
Honey
Dill
Sesame
Tomato
Beets
Tomatillo
Snap Peas

OTHER BEVERAGES

Tequila
Mezcal
Cognac
Pale Ale
Blonde-Roast Coffee
Chocolate Milk

Lessons Learned

We've been working with this for a while. Here are some discoveries we've made.

  • Can't hide it, don't hide it. Genever will shine through in any cocktail. Embrace it.
  • Genever & Tonic is delicious, but Gin & Tonic-requestors may balk at it.
  • Versatile. Can work like gin, whiskey, or sometimes like tequila or mezcal. But it is definitely its own thing in those cocktails. Try a split-base to retain some of the original spirit's character.
  • Don't be afraid to be simple with it - a kopstoot (shot of genever and a beer) is a great start to any night.

Cocktail Outlines

Highballs or Build-In-Glass

HIGHBALL #1

1.5 oz Genever

0.5 oz Lemon

0.5 oz (choose 1)

  • Simple Syrup
  • Cucumber Simple Syrup
  • Jasmine Simple Syrup

to top (choose 1)

  • Club Soda
  • Grapefruit Soda
  • Hibiscus Ginger Beer
  • Aromatic Soda

HIGHBALL #2

2 oz Genever

0.5 oz Lime

to top Tonic

Optionally add 0.25 oz (choose 1)

  • Dill Simple Syrup
  • Strawberry Simple Syrup
  • Honey-Parsley Simple Syrup

Optionally add bitters or 0.25 oz digestif liqueuer.

HIGHBALL #3

1.5 oz Genever

0.5 oz Lime

to top (choose 1)

  • Ginger Beer
  • Flavored Ginger Beer
  • Grapefruit Soda
  • Tomato Juice
  • Cream Soda
  • Root Beer
  • Yerba Mate Soda

Savory & Decadent

SAVORY #1

1 oz Genever

1.5 oz Heavy Cream

1 oz (choose 1)

  • Coffee Liqueur
  • Chocolate Liqueur
  • Creme de Cacao

1 oz (choose 1)

  • Irish Cream
  • Bourbon Cream

Optionally add (choose 1)

  • 0.5 oz Creme de Menthe
  • Mole or Hellfire Bitters
  • A shrub

Garnish with chocolate sprinkles, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, etc. Make it decadent!

SAVORY #2

2 oz Genever

1 tsp Lemon

1 tsp Lime

4 oz (choose 1)

  • Tomato Juice
  • Tomatillo Juice
  • Shishito Peppers, blended
  • Carrot Juice
  • Beet Juice
  • Garden blend juice

Spice to taste. Some of our favorites: Horseradish, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Black Pepper, Smoked Paprika, Anchovies, Garlic, Clove

SAVORY #3

1.5 oz Genever

0.25 oz Lime

0.5 oz Beet Juice

0.5 oz (choose 1)

  • Cynar
  • Ancho Reyes
  • Génépy
  • Amaro Sfumato

Put in shaker and strain thoroughly OR fat-wash beforehand (choose 1)

  • Blue Cheese
  • Gorgonzola
  • Cambozola

Optionally add 0.25 oz simple syrup if your beet juice doesn't have any added sugar.

Boozy & Stirred

BOOZY #1

1 oz Genever

1 oz (choose 1)

  • Campari
  • Aperol
  • Cappelletti Aperitivo

1 oz (choose 1)

  • Sweet Vermouth
  • Gentian Liqueur

Optionally top with Prosecco to make it bubbly!

BOOZY #2

1.5 oz Genever

1.5 oz (choose 1)

  • Sweet Vermouth
  • Amaro Lucano

2 dashes (choose 1)

  • Meletti
  • Fernet Branca

Garnish with an orange twist.

BOOZY #3

1.5 oz Genever

0.5 oz (choose 1)

  • Maple Syrup
  • Sorghum Syrup
  • Honey
  • Molasses

1 barspoon (choose 1) 

  • Maraschino Liqueur
  • Elderflower Liqueur
  • Fruit Jam

2 dashes (choose 1)

  • Angostura Bitters
  • Orange Bitters
  • Aztec Chocolate Bitters
  • Vanilla Bitters

For specific recipes and more information, visit our customer-facing Genever page.