Coebergh
Coebergh is a Dutch blackcurrant liqueur, often simply called bessenjenever. Sweet, fruity and light in character at 20% alcohol. Here you can read what Coebergh is, which flavors are available and how to drink it.
Blackcurrants in a bottle
Coebergh has been a familiar bottle in the Netherlands for generations, at birthdays, in pubs and during drinks. It is a fruit liqueur made from blackcurrants. According to the maker, Coebergh is made from fresh red fruit and prepared naturally. The brand belongs to Lucas Bols, the Amsterdam-based drinks company behind Bols and Bokma, among others.
You often hear "bessenjenever". This is the collective name for a sweet drink made from blackcurrants and alcohol. Coebergh calls itself blackcurrant liqueur. At 20% alcohol, it is lighter than genever, which is usually around 35%, and noticeably sweeter. In addition to the well-known Bessen, there is a cherry variant.
In brief
Bessen, Classic and Kersen
Gall & Gall sells three bottles of Coebergh, all with 20% alcohol.
Coebergh Blackcurrant
The familiar 1-litre bottle. A full, sweet flavor of blackcurrants. Neat, over ice or in a mixed drink.
Coebergh Classic Blackcurrant Liqueur
The same full flavor of blackcurrants, in a smaller bottle. Handy for trying or taking with you.
Coebergh Cherry
Dark red, with the flavor of sun-ripened, sweet cherries. Rounder and less tart than the Bessen.
What is the difference between liqueur, genever and fruit genever? You can read about it on our liqueur page.
Sweet, full and fruity
Blackcurrant
Distinct blackcurrant and red fruit, a little like cassis or berry jam.
Sweet & full-bodied
Sweet and full-bodied, with a fresh tartness from the berries. You can barely taste the alcohol.
Fruity
Short and fruity. With ice or sparkling water, a fresh berry flavor lingers above all.
Flavor profile of Coebergh Berries. The Cherries is rounder and less sour.
Three ways to drink Coebergh
Coebergh is easy: neat, cold or mixed. Three ideas.
Neat and chilled
Put the bottle in the fridge and pour a shot. This is how you know it from birthday parties.
Glass: shot glass →On the rocks
A tumbler with ice cubes and 4 to 5 cl of Coebergh. The ice makes it more refreshing and less sweet.
Glass: tumbler →With bubbles or sparkling water
Pour 2 cl of Coebergh into a glass and top up with prosecco or champagne, like a Kir Royal. Or top up with sparkling water and ice for a light long drink.
Kir Royal recipe →Cocktails with Coebergh
Coebergh works in recipes that call for crème de cassis or a sweet red liqueur.
Kir Royal
Champagne or prosecco with a splash of berry liqueur. With Coebergh instead of crème de cassis.
Berry spritz
Make it like an Aperol Spritz: prosecco, sparkling water and ice, with Coebergh instead of Aperol.
Sangria
Red wine, fruit and a splash of Coebergh Cherries for extra sweet fruitiness.
Berry Mule
Vodka, lime and ginger beer with a splash of Coebergh. Spicy and fruity.The right glass for Coebergh
A shot glass or liqueur glass for drinking neat, a tumbler for serving over ice, and a large spritz glass when topping it up with bubbles. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Coebergh
Is your question not listed? Read more about liqueur or explore our cocktail recipes.
To liqueur →What is Coebergh?
Is Coebergh berry genever or liqueur?
How much alcohol does Coebergh contain?
What Coebergh flavors are available?
How do you drink Coebergh blackcurrant?
Which glass do you use for Coebergh?
Buy Coebergh
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Coebergh online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and availability at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.