Dutch gin cocktails: Classic drinks and where to find them in Amsterdam

When you think of Dutch gin, you’re really thinking of genever, a traditional Dutch spirit made from malt wine and juniper, the original ancestor of modern gin. Also known as jenever, it’s not just a drink—it’s a piece of Dutch history that shaped how the world drinks gin today. Unlike London dry gin, genever is smoother, maltier, and often served chilled in a tulip glass. It’s the backbone of Dutch cocktail culture, and if you’ve ever had a Dutch gin cocktail, you’ve tasted something that’s been perfected over 400 years.

Amsterdam’s cocktail scene didn’t start with trendy bars and molecular mixology—it began with workers in the 1600s sipping genever to warm up before heading out to the docks. Today, that legacy lives on in quiet lounges and hidden speakeasies across the city. You’ll find cocktail lounges Amsterdam, intimate, often unmarked bars where bartenders treat drinks like rituals that serve classics like the Genever Sour or Old Tom Gin Smash, made with locally distilled spirits. These aren’t just drinks—they’re experiences tied to the city’s rhythm, from rainy afternoons to late-night endings after a club crawl.

The connection between Dutch gin, a spirit deeply rooted in Amsterdam’s identity and crafted with barley, rye, and juniper berries from the Netherlands, and the city’s nightlife is real. Bars like De Daken and De Koffieschenkerij don’t just serve cocktails—they tell stories. One sip of a gin and tonic made with Dutch juniper, or a Westerunie Martini stirred with genever instead of vodka, and you’re not just drinking—you’re participating in a tradition.

What makes these cocktails different isn’t just the ingredients—it’s the intention. Dutch gin drinks are rarely loud or flashy. They’re meant to be savored slowly, often with a side of bitterballen or a slice of apple. You won’t find neon signs or DJs blasting in these places. Instead, you’ll find locals leaning against wooden counters, talking about music, art, or the weather, with a glass of genever in hand.

And if you’re wondering where to start, look beyond the Red Light District. The best Dutch gin cocktails aren’t in tourist traps—they’re tucked into side streets, above bookshops, or behind unmarked doors. The city’s top bartenders don’t chase trends. They respect the spirit. They know that a good genever cocktail doesn’t need 12 ingredients. Sometimes, it just needs the right glass, the right chill, and the right moment.

Below, you’ll find real stories from Amsterdam’s most interesting bars and the people who make these drinks. Whether you’re planning your first visit or you’ve been here ten times, these posts will show you where the real Dutch gin scene lives—not in the brochures, but in the quiet corners where the locals go.