Review: New Amsterdam Gin
Even old New York was once New Amsterdam. However, New Amsterdam gin is made in good old Modesto, California (not Constantinople). It’s also a surprising twist on gin as you might know it now. Why they changed it, I can’t say. Maybe they like it better that way.
OK, enough tomfoolery. New Amsterdam has the juniper nose of Tanqueray, but one sip is something entirely different. Namely, the juniper is suppressed and the citrus, namely orange, is really pumped up. If it weren’t for the juniper undertone and the strong aroma of juniper, I’d have thought I was drinking an orange-infused vodka instead of gin.
That’s bad news for a Martini (unless you like yours with a twist instead of olives) but good news for fruit-oriented cocktails like the Casino. Most of New Amsterdam’s cocktail ideas are heavy on fruit like watermelon or guava. Sounds like the right idea to me.
If you’re looking for a gin for drinking straight (or nearly so in a Martini), look elsewhere. But for mixing into more exotic cocktails, New Amsterdam is a solid (and very affordable) choice.
B / $14 / newamsterdamgin.com
July 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
Thank you for the only intellegent review I have read on this gin. I just purchased a bottle and while it is enjoyable, it has neither the crisp punch of bombay, or the incredible combination or flavors true jenivers deliver.
September 27th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Whew here in Maine it looks like we might be getting a hurricane, so I decided I’d better stock up on liquor – just bought a jug of this stuff on a whim (hey – it was on sale) and went home and mixed up a martini. Yikes – it has a sort of Zima-like quality to it! I was blindsided by the citrus – did not expect that at all, and I can’t say I am pleased with it. David might be right – could be good in some sort of fruity drink, but as a martini base, it is not appealing.
September 27th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Erik J – Yeah, not really for everyone. Check out some of the other gin reviews on the site and see if something else is more up your alley!
October 2nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Thought I’d try this stuff out… shouldn’t have. The ‘citrus’ flavor to which you refer I would file under Flinstone chewable vitamins.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
“If you’re looking for a different gin for drinking straight (or nearly so in a Martini), look elsewhere.”
Actually, it is quite a good gin to drink straight up. I have Hendricks quite regularly and this one would be the second best for me. I guess its a matter of taste.
One thing – is it just me that i find this sentence completely wrong? If you are looking for a different gin, look elsewhere? Well, ofcourse!
October 4th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Chandresh – good catch on my awful grammar. Fixed. Who’d have thought this $14 gin would be so contentious! Very interesting… I’ll have to try it again soon.
October 31st, 2008 at 6:42 am
I am not a Gin fan, but I do like They Might Be Giants:-) Doing research for a liquor tasting, very informative…Thanks!
March 9th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
I’m drinking it right now. It basically tastes like an orange-flavored vodka, without the subtleties of a good gin. I agree with the review: it’s not a good option for a classic Martini drinker (like me).
March 16th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Hey Folks,
I saw this at my local supermarket and had to buy a bottle. I figured the bottle was so cool, the gin must be pretty good. Normally, I drink Saphire, or even Gordon’s when I’m on a budget. Either way, I find that they both have a nice, crisp gin taste that you look for in a G&T. Well, one sip of a G&T with New Amsterdam and I nearly spit it out. To me, it had a very vanilla/sacharine aftertaste that was hard to shake. There is no way I’ll be mixing this with any more tonic water and lime. So, what do I do with it? I saw a couple of recipes above, but they’re a bit complicated- Maraschino liqueur, bitters, etc. Does anyone have any ideas for something simpler- say something with lime juice, orange juice, etc. The New Amsterdam website has a bunch of them (all named after Manhattan), but I’m a bit weary. They also say that it’s the perfect gin to drink straight or in a G&T, and I’m having a hard time finishing the one I just mixed. Someone give me some ideas so I don’t have to pour this out just to save the bottle. Thanks!
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I rather like this stuff mixed with Cranberry juice.
I’m not a connesseiur by any stretch, but I do indeed enjoy it.
April 1st, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Just tried it in a G&T with lime for the first time.
It’s interesting.
Those above are right. There isn’t that crisp bite like you would normally see. That said, I’m not so sure the citrus flavor is such a bad thing, at least in a gin and tonic. For what it costs, mostly I just don’t want it taste terrible and this taste’s good. Now, in a martini? Maybe not.
I think I would recommend it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Am I just imagining it or is there vanilla in this stuff too? Too sweet & cloying for me but I’m a Martini drinker. I tried drinking it straight with a twist of lemon but still kind of syrupy for me. I wish I’d read the reviews before buying but I’ll save for friends that don’t like gin.
April 10th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
My spirits dealer recommended New Amsterdam last summer and at once I was fascinated. It was a great summer gin and tonic. As winter approached I switched to my favorite martini. I like them dry and New Amsterdam continues to be my choice.
April 18th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
It’s interesting, but it’s not gin as we know it. Frank’s right about the vanilla finish, and the overall lack of crispness means that it’s a no-go with tonic, and a disappointment in a martini. The website basically uses it like they would a white rum in a daiquiri, or in highball cocktails heavy on the fruit, which makes sense. I could see it going well with elderflower liqueur or maraschino or even creme de violette, too. But it ain’t really a gin: even a renegade gin like Hendrick’s is recognisibly gin.
April 30th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
This is good gin for the price. If you want a more traditional go with the classics. Beefeater’s and Tanq are my favorites, but this is a decent gin for the price.
It’s probably the best of the lesser expensive gins.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
like…this has gotten me well drunk….i mixed it with diet cherry seven up and it has gotten me quite messed up at this moment.
I do like it however tanqueray ten or sapphire are my usuals but this gets the job done just the same and is just as smooth….
May 17th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I got this today, because well – it was on sale. Normally $14.99 in AZ, on special at a local grocery for $10.99 plus an extra $2.00 off coupon. Grand total = $8.99. I made a G&T. My husband liked it – me, well it wasn’t what I was expecting. So much for cheap experiments, I’ll be going back to Bombay. Oh well!
May 17th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
They give out coupons for gin in Arizona?! Dang…
May 19th, 2009 at 10:40 am
Here in RI you can purchase a liter and a half for 23 bucks! So while Bombay Sapphire is my favorite for G&T or a martini I tend to buy this more for the value. I do like the flavor as well. I prefer it over several other more expensive brands actually. I often drink it either straight with a lime or mixed with a combination of fruit juices and a dash of tonic water. Also because of the low cost I can use it for cooking without feeling guilty. You would be amazed with what you can do with gin. Goes with fish- tabbouleh- salad dressing and steamed veggies.
June 6th, 2009 at 6:10 pm
its easy to jump on the bandwagon, but as a bartender and concrete fan of New Amsterdam the taste is smooth crisp and yes with hardly any juniper (pine needle characteristic), but the corriander (citrus) adds a refreshing taste. i indulge in the full realm of beer, wines, liquors and prefer straight on the rocks, and gin martinis. straight up i mix new amsterdam with either fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, or just buy ruby red grapefruit juice at the store.
the reality is that i would hump hendrix’s, tan. 10, or bombay… but like merola said you purchase a 1.5 L for $23 bucks, parallel Gordon’s… or a .75 L bombay so from a bartender to a gin enthusiast quit complaining you obviously showed enough interest to take the time out of your day to post a blog critiquing my b.f.f.
June 20th, 2009 at 1:57 am
awful totally, trash. wanted to pour it out but thought to pout it out, but then tried to give it to the homeless man inthe hood he said “hell naw idon’t drink that you trying to kill me
give that to someone that is dead so they can rise from the dead and spit it in your face”. give me a dollar
June 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
We find it to be an interesting change of pace for or summer time G&Ts. I normal gravitate towards regular Bombay or Plymoth…but there is something about New Amsterdam that is appealing. And for the price, it can work just fine.