Limited edition Hemelwater jenever | Worldwide scoop for Hooghoudt: genever created with rainwater

8-3-2021

A first for Hooghoudt: the distillery with its roots in Groningen (The Netherlands) succeeded in producing gin from rainwater. Hooghoudt aims to reduce the use of scarce drinking water, the Hemelwater gin is based on Hooghoudt’s Premium Jonge Graanjenever recipe. By adding a variety of natural flavors such as juniper, iris root, fennels seeds, cardamom, star anise, elderflower and pear, the ultimate soft and pure gin is created. This 700 runs limited edition Dutch gin is very unique as gin has never been made from rainwater before.  

In 2016 we spotted the beer made from rainwater at brewery the Prael. The bitter blond beer, comparable to an IPA, was brewed in collaboration with the beer brewery Hemelswater (to be translated as water from heaven). A huge success, Code Blond even got attention outside the Netherlands. 

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Jajem Jenever | Christmas ornaments filled with jenever for their 2-year anniversary

13-12-2017

The Amsterdam jenever brand Jajem exists 2 years this month. This will be celebrated in the Kopstootbar on the Leidseplein, which is also the first business the men behind the brand opened. Beside a party you can also buy Christmas ornaments filled with the young jenever! read more

Jajem Jenever | This is how to celebrate a birthday party!

4-1-2017

The biological Amsterdam jenever (Dutch gin) brand Jajem existed 1 year late December, reason for a big celebration. Therefore, they sell 300 limited edition bottles of 1 year matured Jajem at their own Kopstootbar and they organized a great birthday party. read more

Trends we spotted | Week 14

8-4-2024

At horecatrends.com we spot many national and international trends on a daily basis. We pick the most interesting ones to write about, the other trends we use in our weekly column ‘Trends we spotted this week’. With this week links to articles about:

• Utrecht Cocktail Week is taking place for the second time with 18 bars in Utrecht participating, from 10 to the 14^th of April!
• Quality Lodgings adds three hotels to portfolio: Boutique Hotel Texel, Hotel Restaurant de Echoput and Hotel Goldene Rose in Germany.
• Eric Vökel Riverfront Suites has opened in Amsterdam. Cozy mezzanine flats with spectacular views of the IJ river and a friendly atmosphere.
• Last weekend, Rynbende Spirits’ ‘Experimental Batch’ Vintage Gin was launched. Only 140 bottles so aficionados should be quick.
• The National Week Without Meat & Dairy in the Netherlands had 2.8 million participants, the largest number ever. And the concept continues to be rolled out across Europe.
• Via Instagram this week: Tiramisu Espresso Martini and the ‘Special Egg Coqtail’ at COQODAQ in New York City. Easter inspiration for 2025!
• The Wave a new oasis for sport and wellbeing opening soon in London. Think surfing, an ‘activity zone’, food and drink outlets, camping/glamping accommodation, yoga and a lakeside park.
• And a cool example of how to use a ‘National Day’ in your marketing strategy. Chipotle’s Burrito Vault.

Enjoy reading!

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Bareksten Botanical Gin brings the taste of the Norwegian forests to the Netherlands

13-4-2023

An article for the Gin lovers! Master blender and distiller Stig Bareksten is introducing a new gin, called Bareksten Botanical Gin, to the Dutch market. A gin that represents the essence of Norway both inside and out, thanks in part to its ingredients and harsh living conditions. The gin is therefore described as tough, spicy, full of character, dark and wild.

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Rynbende Vintage Genever | Genever as a tribute to leadership

23-3-2023

On Saturday March 25, the official reintroduction of the age-old drink brand Rynbende and the launch of its first old genever, Rynbende Vintage Genever, will take place in collaboration with the Jenever Museum during the Jenever Festival in Schiedam. The first bottle will be handed over to the mayor of Schiedam; Cor Lamers.

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KETEL 1 SHAKE OFF | Competition inspires bartenders and cocktail shakers

21-2-2023

KETEL 1 jenever (Dutch gin) mixes well and is gaining ground in the cocktail scene, according to distiller Nolet. To support establishments in the hospitality industry in their search for the perfect mix, the family business, which has existed since 1691, organizes a mixing competition, the KETEL 1 SHAKE OFF. In this annual competition, hospitality teams compete for the best hard lemonade based on KETEL 1 Jenever and sparkling water.

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Conservatorium Hotel x Café Nol | Five-star Dutch ‘gezelligheid’ during Hotelnacht

5-1-2023

Five-star Dutch gezelligheid (a word hard to describe but cosiness comes near) during the tenth edition of the Hotelnacht in Amsterdam, on 14 and 15 January 2023 at the Conservatorium Hotel in cooperation with Café Nol, the most famous café in the Jordaan neighbourhood in Amsterdam. For this ode to the capital’s nightlife, the hotel will transform its Taiko Bar into an Amsterdam pub. Hotelnacht visitors and hotel guests will enjoy Dutch hits, culminating in a performance by Café Nol’s regular folk singer. Chef Schilo van Coevorden will present his variation on the old Dutch bittergarnituur this evening: a langoustine frikandel with green curry and caviar, a wagyu beef frikandel and his award-winning cheese soufflé with black truffle. At the bar, too, guests briefly imagine themselves in the Jordaan with a cold glass of beer, a kopstootje or a special Jenever cocktail provided by the world’s oldest cocktail brand Lucas Bols (from Amsterdam).

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#GoLocal | Artisanal spirits from the Netherlands

14-6-2022

In recent years, we have spotted a lot of new artisanal spirits in the Netherlands. We have written about the Jongens van Oud West (the Boys of Oud West) who produce Orancello, orange-based Limoncello, and about Voerman Vieux, whose vieux is served straight up with ice cubes or used in cocktails. And about Pink Willem, the first Dutch rosé vermouth based on rhubarb, raspberry and matching botanicals and about the canned cocktails by Amsterdam-based brand Kever Jenever. We also wrote about the sustainable limited edition Hemelwater jenever by Hooghoudt: the distillery from Groningen succeeded in producing jenever from rainwater in 2021.

Below a list of more artisanal drinks!

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Is your Dry January still going strong?

11-1-2022

January has always been one of the longest and depressing months. While most of us have to unchill from a festive December month, we’re confronted with Dry January, Veganuary (and if you really want to go all the way, forget the Dairy too), we have Blue Monday (January 17 this year) and your own New Year’s resolutions.

But on the bright side: more and more delicious vegan and vegetarian products are available at the stores, restaurants and recipes on the internet. Besides trying out Veganuary lots of people try Dry January and for those who miss the taste of their cocktail, glass of beer or wine, more and more delicious (and even some distilled) non-alcoholic alternatives are hitting the market, we made a list of the latest drinks.

Reading time: 4 minutes

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