Bols Genever x Jerry Thomas

A collaboration event with five Boston bars + Lucas Bols - a leading distilled spirits brand from Amsterdam and creator of Bols Genever is happening from December 12th - 16th to celebrate the legacy of bartending pioneer Jerry Thomas. 

Bols Genever is the predecessor of gin created from lightly distilled Dutch grains and a complex botanical mix. With a characteristic smooth malty taste, Genever is perfect for mixing in cocktails. 

Jerry Thomas was a 19th century mixologist and bon vivant who championed cocktail recipes including many that featured Genever. Modern bar programs trace their roots to the recipes in his collection: How to Mix Drinks orThe Bon Vivant's Companion, which at the height of his reign as King of the bar, were a revelation! 

The weeklong Boston Bar celebration includes specialty Genever cocktails crafted at Mooo..., Highball Lounge, Tavern Road, Blue Dragon and Capo inspired by Jerry’s work. I attended a cocktail crawl event as media last week - enjoy the preview! 

Mooo... | Smokey The Pear | Bols Genever, Belle de Brillet, Ginger-Honey Syrup, Lemon Juice // bartender: Greg Neises

Highball Lounge | Port of Hakata | Bols Genever, bar spoon combier kummel, acacia honey, lemon oil // bartender: Matt Schrange 

Tavern Road | The Professor | Bols Genever Barrel Aged, Zirbenz, Galliano, maraschino cherry // bartender: Tenzin Samdo

Blue Dragon | Brandy Daisy | Bols Genever Barrel Aged, yellow chartreuse, lemon juice, splash of soda // bartender: Kate Rapin

Highball Lounge, Tavern Road and Blue Dragon are some of my favorite bars in the city for drinks and atmosphere. Tavern Roads bar pictured directly below features impressive shelving backed by gorgeous city views. 

Highball serves one of my best-loved bar snacks the tater tot nachos and with a room full of board games is always a fun time. Note Highball is not open on Mondays and therefore we didn't taste the cocktail. 

Tavern Road and Blue Dragon both in Fort Point neighborhood offer excellent menus; Tavern Road is Chef Louis Dibiccari's cuisine influenced by global street food, while Blue Dragon is Chef Ming Tsai's modern Asian gastropub. I was glad to eat at both these spots during the preview crawl as I love their food! 

Mooo... is an upscale Beacon Hill steakhouse with a comfortable bar area. The dinners I've had in the past here were top notch. Mooo's bartender Greg really made an impression with his vivacious personality and his inspiration for a delicious cocktail. 

As far as Capo in Southie - we didn't make it that far into the crawl! I've never been but hoping to check it out soon.

Organized by the amazing crew at Bols Genever with a Bustonian (limo bus) to take us from bar to bar, this evening was a blast! Not to mention the signature cocktails these bartenders created are fantastic. 

Everyone get out there and toast to the bartender who started it all; Jerry Thomas!

Also see hashtags: #toastingjerry | #jerrythomasweek | #jerrythomasanniversary