genever (Dutch gin), lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda

I made up this name. It’s just a Tom Collins with Dutch style gin instead of “old London” style gin. The name “Janneke” is from the children’s books I used when I was learning Dutch language, a series called “Jip en Janneke”. So, I bring you the Janneke Collins.

Standard Collins recipe – 2 oz genever, 1 oz lemon juice, half an ounce of simple syrup, all on ice – then club soda to fill the glass. I wanted to try a simple cocktail to give genever a try for the first time.

Genever is the predecessor to gin as we know it, really, the first gin. And it is magical! The flavor is very mellow, with a bit of malt flavor. It has none of the “pine tree” flavor that turns people away from gin. I could drink this stuff straight.

I’m looking forward to tasting genever in more cocktails now that I (finally) have a bottle. Tonight, I’m keeping the post short because it’s Friday night after a long week…I’m going to sit back and enjoy this drink. Then another.

The lovely tulip is from my neighbor friend, Gesa. “Hi Gesa, do you have a tulip you can spare?”. ⁣