The Barber Shop in Sydney was transformed into a Bols Genever Huis for the launch of Bols Genever this week.
Photography © by Kevin Burke for Gourmantic – Copyright: All rights reserved.
On arrival, guests were served the Dutch Royal cocktail which consists of Bols Genever, Apricot Brandy, Orgeat, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Orange and topped with Sparkling wine, a fresh drink with which to commence the evening.
Bols Genever is made by using over 50% malt wine which is made from long-fermented rye, corn and wheat, triple-distilled in copper pot stills which is then infused with a distillate of botanicals.
A Kopstootje-Slurp Bar was set up hosted by Michael Nouri (Brand Ambassador) inviting guests to partake in the Dutch drinking ritual whereby a tulip glass is filled to just above the brim with Genever and is to be slurped by placing your hands behind your back and slurping the top of the drink. Kapstoot means “little head butt” and refers to having this tulip glass and a beer.
Guenael Fily, Commercial Director Lucas Bols, provided a brief history of Bols Genever and its resurgence in the cocktail scene. This led to seeing one of the most unusual methods of shaking a cocktail.
The Imperial Genever Fizz was made in the most entertaining of ways using Crawley’s Imperial Shaker. The creator of this hand-cranked shaker, Jason Crawley, was on hand to explain his machine and its creation. Only twelve of Crawley’s Imperial Shaker have been constructed and Jason demonstrated its operation by shaking the Imperial Genever Fizz which contains Bols Genever, Lemon and Lime, Orange Blossom, Vanilla Cream and Soda.
A variety of cocktails were served throughout the evening, including the Golden Age #2 (Bols Genever, Bols Maraschino, Blueberry/Rosemary Shrubb and Boker Bitters), Smoked House Cocktail (Bols Genever, Becherovka, Agave Nectar, Smoked Pear and Fresh Lemon Juice), and the Genever Crusta (Bols Genever, Bols Triple Sec, Fresh Lemon Juice and Angostura Bitters) which we featured earlier during Bar Week.
A musical trio performed for the enjoyment of guests, and a chef’s table was set up with smoked salmon, a variety of cheeses and meats as well as canapes.
The cocktails are now available at The Barber Shop where Crawley’s Imperial Shaker has taken up residence.
The Bols Genever launch was held on Monday 10 November 2014 at The Barber Shop in Sydney.
