Amsterdam’s Most Hated Drink
When it comes to old-school alcoholic drinks, vieux scores pretty highly. But although the light-brown drink can often be found behind the bar, it is hardly ever ordered. Following the kopstootje’s comeback, I’m pleading for vieux to rise again.
What the vieux
For the youngsters among us, or those who haven’t spent enough time in brown cafés; vieux is the Dutch interpretation of cognac. Cognac was too expensive for many people, so they came up with an affordable alternative, also known as Dutch cognac or Koetsiers cognac. In the 1960s, this name had to be changed when authentic (French) cognac became a protected designation of origin. The new name: vieux.
Unlike cognac, vieux is not distilled from white wine, but made from a neutral grain or melisse alcohol. Various herbal extracts and caramel are added for sweetness. A peculiar combination, I’ll admit.
Old Amsterdam
Vieux is a bit like the Nickelback of alcoholic drinks: it is completely misunderstood and hated by many people. And yet it is still often on the menu. Definitely in brown cafés, but you can also still find vieux in restaurants and cafés.
Such is the case at eetcafé Piet de Gruyter in Amsterdam-West, where I regularly work behind the bar. Why do we have it on the menu? “It’s simply one of those old Amsterdam drinks that can still be found in every brown café. That’s where it belongs. At one point, a few older regulars also started asking for vieux, so I bought a bottle,” says the owner. But in 10 years at Piet de Gruyter, only about three bottles have been purchased…
A vieux tonight
Until 1986, vieux was the Netherlands’ most popular distilled drink after young jenever—quite an achievement! Let’s collectively give it another try. Order a vieux-cola instead of a gin and tonic or baco. Or sip a little vieux instead of a jenever.
Then we can also start using that wonderful slogan from the 1960s again: ‘And don’t forget, friends… a vieux tonight.’
Also read:
- Mixing jenever and gin like a pro? Here’s how
- What’s up with sipping spirits
- How to make the bartender your best friend
Image: Peter Zwaal
