The Netherlands is known for its tulips, cheese, and wooden clogs. But did you know that the Dutch also love their beer?
Dutch people are known for their love of beer. In fact, the Dutch word “bier” means “beer.” The Netherlands has a long history of brewing beer and importing wine from neighboring countries. Recently, there’s been an increase in Dutch breweries who brew traditional styles that have been around since the Middle Ages.
The Dutch drink an average of 140 liters of beer annually which means they’re one of the world’s top ten biggest consumers. They have a lot to choose from with over 1500 different types!
Here are 15 popular Dutch drinks that you should try out while visiting.
Jenever
Jenever is one of the most popular drinks in the Netherlands. It’s a type of Dutch gin that has been around since 16th century, originally made with juniper berries, sugar, and various herbs.
Jenever can be distilled like other types of gin, but it also comes pre-distilled (known as oude jenever) or fermented (jeneverbier). The latter is more common for home brewed versions.
The drink gets its name from the French word genièvre which means “juniper.” This makes sense considering that juniper berries are used to make this drink.
Dutch people often mix Jenever with warm water and lemon juice to create their own version of what they call “Old Tom.”
Grolsch
Grolsch is a type of beer that’s made in the Netherlands. It was first brewed in 1615 and gets its name from the city of Groenlo.
Grolsch is a pale lager that’s made with malted barley, hops, yeast, and water. It has an alcohol content of 4.6%.
The beer is exported to over 70 countries and is available in most supermarkets and convenience stores in the Netherlands.
Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer that’s made by Heineken International. It was first brewed in 1864 and is named after the founder of the company, Gerard Adriaan Heineken.
Heineken is a pale lager that has an alcohol content of 5%. It’s made with water, malted barley, hops, and yeast.
The beer is available in most supermarkets and convenience stores in the Netherlands. It’s also exported to over 70 countries. It continues to be the best-selling Dutch beer worldwide!
Anijsmelk
Anijsmelk is a Dutch drink that’s made with milk and licorice. It tastes like black licorice which makes it very popular among children.
Anijsmelk is a drink that’s made with milk, anise, and sugar. It gets its name from the Dutch word “anijs” which means “anise.”
Advocaat
The Dutch drink a lot of beer, but their love for alcohol doesn’t stop there. In fact, the Netherlands is known for its rich history of distilling and brewing alcoholic drinks. Advocaat is one such drink that’s been around since 1772!
Advocaat is a type of liqueur made from egg yolks and sugar syrup. The mixture gets boiled until it becomes thickened before being cooled in cold water or ice cubes. It’s usually served with whipped cream on top which gives it the name “Dutch Cream.”
Chocomel
Chocomel is a Dutch drink that’s made with milk and chocolate. Like its name suggests, it tastes like melted chocolate milk!
This drink was first introduced in 1949 and is available in most supermarkets and convenience stores in the Netherlands. It has an alcohol content of 2% which makes it popular among younger people since beer isn’t exactly the healthiest drink.
It’s also exported to over 30 countries and is known by different names depending on where you’re from.
Bessenjenever
Bessenjenever is a Dutch gin that’s flavored with juniper berries and the juice of black and red currants. It gets its name from the Dutch word “bessensap” which means “blackcurrant juice.”
Bessenjenever has an alcohol content of 25% and is usually enjoyed on ice or mixed with water. It also goes well in cocktails such as the Parisian Punch. The drink was created during World War I after it became illegal to import French wines into Amsterdam since many were being used to make Champagne. At the time, people started making their own versions of gin and this is how Bessenjenever was born.
Curacao
Curacao is a type of liqueur that’s made from the dried peel of the curaçao orange. It gets its name from the island of Curaçao where it was first created in 1824.
Curacao is flavored with spices such as cinnamon, coriander, and anise. It has an alcohol content of 30% and is often enjoyed as an after-dinner drink.
Korenwijn
Korenwijn is a type of Dutch wine that’s made from wheat. It gets its name from the Dutch word “koren” which means “wheat.”
Korenwijn has an alcohol content of 11% and is usually served as an aperitif. It can also be enjoyed with food such as cheese or fish. The wine is made by fermenting the juice of crushed wheat berries.
Koffie Verkeerd
Koffie Verkeerd is a Dutch coffee drink that’s made with milk, coffee, and sugar. It gets its name from the Dutch words “koffie” which means “coffee,” and “verkeerd” which means “wrong.”
This drink was first introduced in the 1950s and is popular among all ages. It’s available at most cafes and restaurants in the Netherlands. Koffie Verkeerd is also exported to other countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, and Indonesia.
Kopstootje
Kopstootje is a liquor made by mixing beer with gin or Jenever. Kopstootje is made with the aim that the taste of Jenever is strong and can cause a burning sensation not so pronounced because it is reduced by the taste of beer.
This Dutch drink gets its name from a combination of “kop” which means “head,” and “stoot” which means “push.” The former refers to the effect that alcohol has on your head while the latter refers to puking after you’ve had too much alcohol.
Kwast
The name of a popular Dutch non-alcoholic beverage made from lemon juice is Kwast. These drinks are sweetened with sugar, honey, or artificial sweeteners and have a pleasant taste thanks to their dosage. Lemonade syrup can also be used to make Kwast.
Traditionally, during the fall or winter, Kwast has been used to prevent colds. However, there is no special therapeutic benefit to taking Kwast. Despite the fact that Kwast mainly consists of vitamin C, which can function as an antibody.
Oranjebitter
Oranjebitter is a Dutch liqueur that has an orange taste. Oranjebitter can be made using Curaçao or by mixing oranges and brandy. It gets its name from the Dutch word “oranje” which means “orange.”
Oranjebitter has an alcohol content of 21% and is often enjoyed as an after-dinner drink. It can also be mixed with other liquors such as brandy or whiskey.
Ketel One
Ketel One is one of the popular brands for Vodka in the Netherlands. It gets its name from the word “ketel” which means “cauldron.”
This vodka is usually enjoyed with ice or mixed with various juices. The vodka is made using wheat and soft winter wheat that’s grown in Germany, France, Hungary, and Poland.
Appelsap
Appelsap is a Dutch apple juice that’s 100% natural. It gets its name from the words “appel” which means “apple,” and “sap” which means “juice.”
Apple used to make Appelsap is grown in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, and Spain. The juice is then made using a cold-pressed process that helps to retain the flavor and nutrients of the apples. Appelsap is available in most supermarkets and convenience stores in the Netherlands.
Final Words
These are 15 popular Dutch drinks that you can try when in the Netherlands.
Dutch drinks are known for their variety and each one has its own unique history and story. Whether you’re looking for an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink, the Netherlands has something to offer everyone.
So next time you’re in the country, be sure to try some of these popular Dutch drinks!
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