Jenever

Jenever, often called the “grandfather of gin,” has a rich history that traces back to the early 1500s in the Low Countries, particularly in what is now Belgium and the Netherlands. It was initially distilled as a medicinal remedy by apothecaries who infused distilled grain alcohol with juniper berries, known for their purported healing properties. These early distillations were believed to aid digestion and treat various ailments.

During the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648), a lengthy struggle in which the Dutch sought independence from Spanish rule, English soldiers played a significant role. In 1585, Queen Elizabeth I dispatched English troops to support the Dutch, particularly around Antwerp, where tensions with the Spanish were intense. English soldiers, unfamiliar with the harsh conditions of battle in the cold, damp Netherlands, were introduced to jenever, the juniper-based spirit that provided them with warmth and a steadying effect in combat.

This spirit soon became known as “Dutch courage” among the English soldiers for its ability to boost morale and combat the cold. When they returned to England, the soldiers brought home not only tales of their battles but also a taste for jenever. This marked the beginning of England’s fascination with the juniper spirit, which eventually inspired English distillers to develop their own version, known as gin. The English adaptation would eventually diverge in flavor and production methods, creating a distinct, now globally popular spirit, but its origins lie firmly in the Dutch tradition of jenever.