🍸 Berenburg
Berenburg is an EU herbal spirit: alcohol macerated with plants, with gentian, juniper and bay leaf distillates; from 30% ABV, brown, up to 20 g/l sugar. Most popular in Friesland; not a gin.
Berenburg (also spelled Beerenburg) is a spirit drink most popular in Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. It is based on ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin, macerated with fruit, plants or parts of them, with a specific taste coming from distillates of yellow gentian root, juniper berries and bay leaves. It is category 43 of Regulation (EU) 2019/787, with a minimum strength of 30% vol. 1
The regulation lists five requirements. The base is ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin. It is made by maceration, steeping fruit or plants. Distillates of gentian (Gentiana lutea), common juniper (Juniperus communis) and bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) are mandatory. The colour ranges from light to dark brown. It may be sweetened, but to no more than 20 g per litre, expressed as invert sugar. 1
According to a history site on the Plantinga distillery, the original Beerenburg was made in the mid-18th century with a secret spice mixture from the Amsterdam merchant Hendrik Beerenburg, who had a shop on the Stromarkt. Other makers could not use his name, which explains spellings such as Berenburg and Berenboarch. Despite its Amsterdam origin, the drink became most popular in Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. 3
Recipes differ and may use dozens of herbs, including sweet flag, centaury, liquorice and sandalwood alongside gentian, laurel and juniper. The process resembles making tea: the taste depends on the herbs and how long they steep. Sonnema's herbs steep for 24 hours, while Plantinga's took three rounds of 12 days with fresh herbs each time. Sonnema dates its own recipe to 1860 and Fedde Sonnema. 34
Berenburg may be flavoured only with flavouring preparations and natural flavouring substances. Juniper is just one of the three mandatory components here, and gentian root is also the basis of gentian spirit, a separate category 18 from 37.5% vol. 1
Compared with its relatives: Berenburg, like the category 19 juniper-flavoured spirit drink, has a minimum of 30% vol., while gin needs 37.5% vol. Unlike London gin, it may be sweetened up to 20 g/l, and a brown colour is a required feature rather than a breach. It differs from liqueurs by containing less sugar. 1
Why it matters to you. Berenburg is easy to confuse with gin because of the juniper, but it is a separate category with different rules. A brown colour and slight sweetness are normal for it. On the label, look for the legal name “Berenburg” or “Beerenburg” and at least 30% vol. The WHO says no amount of alcohol is safe. 12
Facts
| EU category | 43 1 |
|---|---|
| Alcohol (% vol.) | 30 % vol. 1 |
| Raw material | ethyl alcohol of agricultural origin; maceration of fruit or plants; distillates of Gentiana lutea, Juniperus communis, Laurus nobilis 1 |
| Legal basis | Reg. (EU) 2019/787, Annex I; applies from 25.05.2021 1 |
| Main use | herbal spirit drink with gentian, juniper and bay leaf distillates 1 |
How it connects to Spirits
🍸 Berenburg → kind of → 🍸 Gin and juniper spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Maceration, 🥃 Distillation
- Made from
- 🍷 Ethanol
- What it contains
- 🍬 Sugar
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 Dutch
- Part of
- 🍸 Gin and juniper spirits
- Similar and different
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits, 🍸 Liqueurs, 🥃 Genever
- In other topics
- 🍷 Aromatised wine
Frequently asked questions
Where is Berenburg usually drunk, and how is it spelled?
Mostly in Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe in the Netherlands. EU law accepts both Berenburg and Beerenburg; spellings such as Berenboarch arose because other makers could not use Hendrik Beerenburg's own name.
Which Berenburg makers are named on this page?
Sonnema, which dates its recipe to 1860 and steeps its herbs for 24 hours, and Plantinga, whose herbs once went through three rounds of 12 days with fresh herbs each time.
Is Berenburg the Dutch answer to gin?
No. Gin is a juniper spirit from 37.5% ABV; Berenburg is its own category 43 from 30%, brown, with up to 20 g/l of sugar and three mandatory distillates.
How do the Dutch drink Berenburg?
Neat, in small servings, the way a strong herbal spirit is meant to be sipped.
Who first made it?
A history site on the Plantinga distillery credits the Amsterdam merchant Hendrik Beerenburg in the mid-18th century. No primary documents were found.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Ethanol — The alcohol formed during fermentation that makes you drunk.
- 🌿 Bitters and bitter spirits — Bitters and bitter spirits: spirit drinks from 15% ABV with a predominantly bitter taste, plus gentian spirit and sweeter bitter liqueurs. Campari, Fernet-Branca, Unicum and cocktail bitters like Angostura and Peychaud's.
- 🥃 Genever — Genever (jenever) is the grain-and-juniper spirit of Belgium, the Netherlands, northern France and western Germany: from 30% ABV (60 proof in the US), at least 1.5% malt wine.
- 🧑🤝🧑 Dutch — West Germanic people, the main population of the Netherlands in Western Europe; their Gouda and Edam cheeses are known worldwide.
Similar
🍸 Juniper-flavoured spirit drink · 🥃 Borovička · 🥃 Old Tom Gin · 🍸 Distilled gin · 🍸 London gin · 🍸 Gin
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Arts. 2, 5 and Annex I
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)
- Plantiac: Beerenburg (history site on the Plantinga distillery)
- Sonnema: official site