Bokma
The genever in the bottle that’s square on the outside and round on the inside, and the brand that made grain genever big. Everything about the varieties, alcohol percentages, the kopstoot, and the glass that goes with it.
The bottle that’s square on the outside and round on the inside
Bokma is a Frisian brand named after Piet Bokma, who introduced Bokma Young Grain Genever in 1966, putting a new category on the map: genever made entirely from grain, without molasses alcohol. That’s still the guiding principle, and you can taste it: the genever is lightly malty, with juniper in the background rather than up front.
The bottle is just as recognizable as the taste. Sleek and square on the outside, round on the inside, with glass filling the corners. Alongside young and old grain genever, there are two aged versions, matured for five and ten years in American and French oak, bringing them closer to whisky than to a shot straight from the freezer.
At a glance
What types of Bokma are there?
Bokma Young Grain Genever
The classic from 1966: lightly malty and fresh with spice, and subtle juniper. Ice-cold from the freezer, and the ever-present other half of the kopstoot.
Bokma Old Genever
More malt wine in the blend makes it fuller, sweeter, and more grain-forward. "Old" refers to the style here, not the age.
Bokma 5 Year Aged
Five years in oak barrels. The juniper recedes, giving way to vanilla, nuts, and wood.
Bokma 10 Year Aged
Ten years old and double-aged in American and French oak: smooth vanilla, a hint of orange, and deep wood notes.
The young one for a kopstoot; the 10-year-old if you want to drink it like whisky.
Lightly malty, with juniper in the background
Grain & juniper
Lightly malty grain with juniper underneath, and a fresh, spicy note. Much softer than an old-style Dutch genever with lots of malt wine.
Dry and grain-forward
Dry and grain-forward, with juniper and a lightly peppery spice. At 35%, the young version is also pleasant to drink ice-cold.
Short and clean
A short, dry finish with grain notes. In the aged versions, it becomes much longer and warmer, with vanilla and wood.
Flavor profile of Bokma Young Grain Genever. The old version is sweeter and more grain-forward; the 5- and 10-year-aged versions score higher in sweetness and intensity thanks to the oak.
Three ways to drink Bokma
Young genever should be served ice-cold, while aged genever is best at room temperature. The difference is greater than the price might suggest.
Ice-cold, right to the brim
Put the bottle in the freezer and fill the tulip glass right to the brim. Take the first sip with your hands behind your back, leaning over the glass: that way you won't spill, and that's how it's done in a bar.
Glass: genever glass →As a kopstoot
A tulip glass filled to the brim with young genever, alongside a glass of lager. First sip the genever from the rim, then the beer. This combination is more Dutch than any cocktail, and works best with a young, dry genever.
Kopstoot →The aged clear spirit
4 cl Bokma 10 Year in a tumbler or tasting glass, at room temperature. Aged for ten years in oak, it’s close to a light whisky, with notes of vanilla, orange and wood.
Glass: tumbler →Cocktails with jenever
Jenever was the original base for a number of cocktails we now make with gin. You can simply switch back to jonge graanjenever.
Kopstoot
A full glass of jenever beside a glass of lager. Not a cocktail, but a classic.
Amsterdam Sour
Jenever with lemon, sugar and egg white. The Dutch take on the sour.
John Collins
Lemon, sugar and sparkling water. The original version was made with jenever.
Dutch Martini
Dry vermouth with jenever instead of gin. Fuller and grainier than the original.The right glass for jenever
A tulip-shaped stemmed jenever glass for serving ice-cold and filled to the brim, and a shot glass or tumbler for aged versions. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you wanted to know about Bokma
Can’t find your question? Check out our cocktail recipes or get in touch.
Go to the cocktail recipes →What is the alcohol percentage of Bokma?
What’s the difference between jonge and oude jenever?
What is grain jenever?
How do you drink jenever?
What is a kopstoot?
Why is the bottle square?
Buy Bokma
Want the bottle delivered straight to your door? Order Bokma online at Gall & Gall.
Prices as of November 6, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; it costs you nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.
