Genever (also know as junever, genievre, jenever or jeniever), or in the English-speaking world as Holland gin or Dutch gin, is the juniper-flavored and alcoholic traditional spirit of the Netherlands and Belgium, from which gin eventually evolved. Genever has been a protected spirit since 2008, which puts it in the same category as champagne, cognac, and Scottish single malts. Genever can only be made in Holland and a few surrounding areas. The triple distillate of Bols Genever – corn, rye, and wheat – give the mash-bill a whiskey like characteristic that the Dutch call maltwine. Bols (founded in 1575) is one of the oldest distilleries still making the same fantastic product today.
The beer in this cocktail is a Czech-style pilsner from North Coast Brewery called Scrimshaw. I’m sure most beer aficionados have tasted similar style beers, but this particular beer works very well with the other ingredients in the cocktail. The subtle pale malt flavors match deliciously with the Bols Genever. The sage from Maggie’s Farms is unmatched in providing an earthy flavor, which balances out the lemon juice. Once again agave serves as the sweetener in this well-rounded libation.
Like I said in the last post, the next few cocktails are based on friends, their personalities, and their porn star names. This one is no different. Spot Pleasantview is a great friend, a hilarious comedian, and the person behind the idea to structure cocktails around personalities.
Spot Pleasantview aka The Blowout
- 2 oz Bols Genever
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 4 sage leaves
- 1 oz agave
- 1.5 oz North Coast Scrimshaw
Combine all ingredients in the tin. Shake and double strain with a Hawthorne and Chinoise strainer over fresh ice. Garnish with either sage leaves or edible dandelions.
