🥃 Genièvre aux fruits / Vruchtenjenever

Fruit genever (Genièvre aux fruits, in Dutch Vruchtenjenever or Jenever met vruchten, in German Fruchtgenever) is an EU protected geographical indication for genever flavoured with fruit or plants. The base remains true genever with moutwijn, and the fruit gives colour, sweetness and aroma. The minimum strength is only 18% ABV.

How it is made. According to the Dutch agency RVO, genever may be flavoured with fruit, plants or their parts, or fruit juice and fruit or plant distillates may be added. At least 1.5% of the alcohol must come from moutwijn, a grain distillate that gives genever its bready note. The juniper berries remain the base, so this is not simply a fruit liqueur.

Protected name. The name is in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, but not among the juniper spirit drinks. It sits in the section on other spirit drinks: ordinary genever must have at least 30% ABV, while fruit genever may be considerably weaker. Under this annex the zone covers Belgium, the Netherlands and the German Länder of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. The Dutch description also adds the French Nord and Pas-de-Calais.

Demand. According to the French genever specification, interest in it has grown since the early 21st century, partly thanks to juniper and fruit drinks, a novelty that found new consumers. Fruit versions have helped this old Flemish-Dutch drink reach beyond its traditional audience.

Why this matters to you. A sweet fruit taste and low strength can mask the alcohol. 18 to 20% ABV is stronger than wine, and such a drink is easier to drink than it seems. The WHO reminds us: there is no safe amount of alcohol.