The Dutch Connection

The Dutch Connection by Keifer Gilbert

Here’s a toast to “Tulip Town” and the Windmill which is perfect for the season. It’s a lovely spring sip twist on the classic gin and tonic with a few interesting ingredients, including one that ties it squarely to the Netherlands. Genever (pronounced with the hard accent on the second long “e”, like “Geneva”), a distilled grain spirit heavy with malt that can range from neutral to herbal in flavor, first appeared in the Netherlands as early as the fifteenth century. It is thought of as the predecessor to gin, because after the Dutch-Portuguese of 1660, when it was introduced to England, distillers there tried to mimic the spirit but removed the malt and added juniper. Genever, like Champagne and Sherry, has an official “Protected Geographic Origin” limiting its legal production to eleven specific appellations.  Whether you enjoy the oude (old) or jonge (young) style, Genever is classically enjoyed neat in a tulip shaped glass filled to the brim!

a rose by any other name would taste as sweet

Phoenix bartender Keifer Gilbert created this refreshing highball by adding Genever to his favorite springtime drink, a Lillet Rose with tonic. The stronger spirit gives the light rose liqueur some backbone and interest while maintaining the drink’s refreshing vibe and lower abv profile. Keifer himself doesn’t drink at all anymore, but maintains the spirit of hospitality inherent in the industry and symbolized by the pineapple tattoo on his arm (a common badge of the profession). Low abv cocktails are an ideal way to balance the enjoyment of a well crafted drink with the desire to stay healthy and responsible. I’ll drink to that! Cheers.

tiptoe through the tulips

The Dutch Connection by Keifer Gilbert

1 oz Genever

1 oz Lillet Rose

3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Tonic water

 Build ingredients in a highball glass filled with ice and stir to incorporate. Grapefruit peel garnish (or a lemon windmill).

and enjoy more cocktails from the category