New Amsterdam Gin Bottle Prices, Sizes, Varieties & Buying Guide
Last Updated on May 10, 2023 by Lydia Martin
The New Amsterdam Gin from the USA has always been a hot topic among gin purists. Is it even actually gin?
Since gin should be juniper-heavy and New Amsterdam clearly is not with its dominant orange flavor, some idealists don’t want to acknowledge this brand for what it is.
But we believe that the world is ready for contemporary gin, and it’s time for them to have their chance. Here’s at New Amsterdam price and more.
How The New Amsterdam’s Gin Started
New Amsterdam Gin emerged to celebrate a passion for contemporary gins. It was founded in 2007 in California, United States, and launched in 2008. It sold 100,000 cases in just 12 short months and is the fastest-growing gin brand in the world, thanks to its affordable prices.
Because oranges are plentiful in California, the sweet and sour orange flavor takes center stage in the New Amsterdam Gin instead of the traditional juniper. Upon tasting, this spirit is like an orange bomb on the palate — almost too cloyingly strong that the orange flavor tastes quite artificial.
E. & J. Gallo Winery, the makers of the New Amsterdam Gin, rebranded the name to New Amsterdam Stratusphere Gin. They take the same gin flavor that everyone loves to brand new heights.
Also, did you know that New Amsterdam was the original name of New York City? [1] Hence, the Empire State Building on the bottle label.
How It’s Made
New Amsterdam Gin is made from 100 percent pure grain spirit and is distilled with a special blend of botanicals like other traditional gins. It is then diluted with fresh water to lower down its ABV to bottling percentage. But this is where the similarities end.
The New Amsterdam Gin is known as New Western or American-style gin. Modern, contemporary gins let something else other than juniper shine, and in this brand’s case, they let orange take charge.
Also, instead of distilling the botanicals with the base spirit, the New Amsterdam Gin has its base flavored with orange essence instead.
Read: Does Gin Expire?
Popular Varieties
Stratusphere The Original
Stratusphere The Original variant is the same gin the brand first released, with the New Western flavor that everyone loves. Not to mention the affordable price. It’s a crisp, orange-flavored spirit, with juniper notes and other botanicals softly complimenting in the background.
Stratusphere London Dry Gin
Stratusphere London Dry is the brand’s response to those who say they can’t make real gin. In this variant, the orange flavor is still present, but they pulled it back a notch. You will notice more juniper flavors making their way towards your palate. This variant is bottled at a proof of 94.6 and is a great base for martinis at a lesser price.
New Amsterdam (Now Stratusphere) Gin Prices
| Type | Size | Proof | Average Prices in the USA |
| New Amsterdam Gin
(Stratusphere The Original) |
750ml | 80 | $9.99 – $15.99 |
| 1L | 80 | $15.99 – $17.99 | |
| 1.75L | 80 | $19.99 – $23.99 | |
| Stratusphere London Dry Gin | 750ml | 94.6 | Around $13 |
Compared to Other Gin Brands Alternatives
Seagram’s Pineapple Twisted Gin
Seagram’s has released its line of fruit-flavored gins, and its pineapple variant is arguably the most popular when it comes to flavor and price. Seagram’s Pineapple Twisted Gin has flavors of both juniper and pineapple, but compared to New Amsterdam, the juniper notes are more pronounced this time. Both brands start at roughly $9 in prices per 750ml bottle.
Hadley and Sons Gin
Instead of purely citrus, Hadley and Sons from the United States also borrow its taste from fresh cucumber. The spirit is slightly more aromatic and is more nuanced in flavor than New Amsterdam’s plain orange circus. Both brands, again, have similar prices starting at roughly $10 for one 750ml bottle.
G & J Greenall’s Gin
The 200-something year old G & J Greenall’s recipe is surprisingly mild and smooth. Juniper is predominantly present in this liquor, but other flavors such as coriander, cassia bark, and citrus leave their mark as well. Overall, it’s a smooth gin with a unique flavor profile, and with prices only slightly higher than the other brands at roughly $13, we think this is an excellent choice.
Read: What is Gin & Juice Mixed Drinks?
Popular New Amsterdam-based Cocktail Recipes
New Amsterdam Gin is the number one choice of most California bartenders for plenty of fruit cocktails due to its affordable price. Tonic water, passion fruit juice, and club soda are excellent mixers.
Soho Cocktail
The New Amsterdam Gin released a line of New York City-inspired cocktails. The Soho Cocktail is as fresh, young, and hip as the Soho area.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces New Amsterdam Gin
- 3 ounces ginger ale
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Mint leaves
- Lime wheel
- Lemongrass
- Fresh ice
Directions:
Chop the lemongrass until you have about a palmful. Put inside the bottom of a cocktail shaker along with some mint leaves, and muddle until all their natural oils are released. Add the liquor, juice, syrup, and ground ginger, and give everything a good shake. Strain and pour into a tall iced glass filled and top off with ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.
Tom Collins
The Tom Collins drink is an easy recipe with a scrumptious sweet and sour flavor.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces New Amsterdam Gin
- 3 ounces lemonade or sweet and sour mix club soda
- Lemon wheel
- Cherry
- Fresh ice
Directions:
Mix all the liquids in a tall iced glass. Garnish with a cherry and the fruit wheel.
Gin Martini
This Martini is a classic bar staple that you can easily make at home.
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces New Amsterdam Gin
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Lemon peel
Directions:
Pour the gin and vermouth in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake well until cold. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and top with a lemon peel.
FAQs
What’s the best way to drink New Amsterdam gin?
New Amsterdam Gin markets itself as a fresh, fun drink, so fans and patrons normally enjoy it straight in shots. It has an orange taste that isn’t offensive on the palate.
It’s also a great choice to use this as a spirit base for martinis or a number of fruity cocktails.
Is New Amsterdam a good gin?
Yes. Most purists would not consider New Amsterdam real gin, but we believe that these modern, contemporary gins deserve their place in the catalog as well. It’s a relatively good gin with affordable prices, especially if you’re not obsessed with the fact that gin should taste like junipers.
In Summary
New Amsterdam Gin from California is making its mark and establishing its name on the hearts of drinkers everywhere. With the revival of gins come contemporary flavors and more adventurous takes, so there’s no problem embracing modernity.
But if you really insist on the taste of the traditional London dry, the brand heard you loud and clear — they created a liquor variant just for you.
Reference:
- https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/new-amsterdam-becomes-new-york
Lydia Martin hails from Redmond, Washington, where you’ll find some of the best cocktail bars and distilleries that offer a great mix of local drinks. She used to work as a bar manager in Paris and is a self-taught mixologist whose passion for crafting unique cocktails led her to create Liquor Laboratory. Lydia can whip up a mean Margarita in seconds! Contact at [email protected] or learn more about us here.