Geert Conard - The face behind Double Strainger

Recently, TX Distri — one of our trusted partners — invited me to contribute an article to their magazine, which reaches both hospitality professionals and enthusiasts.
I gladly accepted, and I’m excited to share it here as well, so new followers can get a glimpse of who I am and what Double Strainger is all about.

My name is Geert Conard. By day, I work as a teacher and run my own IT and communications business, but in the world of cocktails and spirits, I’m better known as Double Strainger.

What began back in 2016 as a hobby — posting my favourite cocktail recipes on a blog and social media — quickly grew into a lively community. Today, thousands of followers experiment with my recipes, I create bespoke drinks for bars, brands and events, and I host inspiring cocktail workshops for clubs and associations.

For me, variety is key — not only in flavours and recipes, but also in glassware and presentation. The right glass adds an extra layer of experience to every cocktail or mocktail. That’s exactly why my partnership with TX Distri is such a perfect match: their wide, stylish range of glassware helps me add that extra touch of class. Maybe we’ll meet in person at one of their next open days — I’d love that!

In the meantime, here’s a refreshing summer recipe for you to try: a Limburg-inspired, alcohol-free twist on the iconic Cosmopolitan. Just shake all the ingredients with plenty of ice, strain into an elegant, hand-painted Flora coupe glass filled with fresh ice, and enjoy. 

✨ Limburg Cosmo NA ✨

• 50 ml Fryns Spice NA
• 30 ml cranberry juice
• 30 ml orange juice
• 15 ml lime juice
• 15 ml simple syrup

Shake hard. Pour with love. Sip and savour. Santé! 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While the producer or distributor might have gifted some items, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Spirits Inn Beringen makes a strong first impression in Koersel

This Sunday afternoon, the latest edition of the annual Spirits Inn Beringen festival took place in Koersel for the very first time — and the new location proved to be a winning choice. The venue offered a warm, inviting atmosphere and more spacious surroundings, allowing visitors to browse the stands in comfort. Both local and (inter)national exhibitors contributed to a dynamic and diverse tasting experience.

Upon entering, guests were immediately greeted with a notable premiere: a special bottling to mark the 20th anniversary of whisky club The Finest Notes. This commemorative release — a single grain whisky distilled in 1991 at the North British Distillery — was a fitting tribute to two decades of whisky passion.

A familiar and always impressive presence at the festival was Ivo Drabs of Wine4You. Like a seasoned sleuth, he scours the cellars of France in search of forgotten cognac casks. This year, I tasted a true flavour bomb: a cognac aged for an astonishing 100 years in oak. A rare find, given that most cognacs are transferred to large ‘Dame Jeanne’ bottles after a few years, halting further maturation.

As always, the exhibition floor showcased a fascinating mix of vintage, rare, and brand-new releases. One standout was Young Charly, represented by Bruno Simons, a former Antwerp cocktail bar owner with a well-trained palate. At his stand, I discovered Raasay, a brand I had not yet encountered, hailing from the Isle of Skye. This distillery stands as a compelling alternative to nearby Talisker, located just 20 miles away.

There was also exciting local news. Jeroen Aerts, known for his Appelstook (a Calvados-style apple spirit) and Bierbrand, presented his very own Black Creek Whisky. After three years and one month maturing in an ex-bourbon cask, this spirit now officially carries the name "whisky." The result? A fresh, fruity dram with a pleasant tartness and a long, satisfying finish. A remarkably strong debut. Even Mayor Thomas Vints joined in to taste this hometown premiere.

And there’s more to come: a second batch is already aging — this time in a completely different type of cask. It’s something to look forward to, much like the festival itself, which is set to return next year.

Ibiza Sour

A few years ago, I had the chance to experiment with Hierbas de las Dunas, a stunning liqueur created by Michelin-starred chef Syrco Bakker. So it was definitely time to finally get creative with the original Mari Mayans Hierbas de Ibiza.

On a sun-drenched May 1st, I found both the time and inspiration to craft a refreshing low-alcohol cocktail using the authentic Hierbas de Ibiza.

Ibiza Sour

• 30 ml Hierbas de Ibiza
• 30 ml Amontillado Sherry
• 30 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
• 15 ml Cane Sugar Syrup
• 0,5 Egg White

Add all ingredients to a shaker. Shake vigorously without ice first to create a rich foam. 

Next, add plenty of ice and shake again until the shaker feels ice-cold. Serve in a tumbler over fresh ice cubes. Garnish with a lime wedge.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While the producer or distributor might have gifted some items, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

 

Crafting my own gin: a journey with Kindred Spirits

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending an inspiring workshop hosted by Kindred Spirits, an exciting new company linked to the Proef! test labs in Ghent. The experience offered a hands-on opportunity to create my very own gin recipe, which was nothing short of fascinating.

The process began with a neutral spirit as our base. From there, we had the chance to enhance it with essences and distillates of carefully sourced botanicals—including herbs, spices, and fruits. Each botanical essence was sourced using the optimal method to extract its purest flavour. In this CSI-style laboratory, we had access to cutting-edge technology, ranging from classic distillation equipment to state-of-the-art devices powered by innovative techniques.

What sets Kindred Spirits apart is their unique approach to crafting bespoke gin. Combining traditional methods with advanced AI and sensor data ensures each recipe achieves a perfect balance of flavour and aroma.

After a brief yet informative introduction to the basics of gin-making, we dove right into experimenting with the lab equipment. Sampling the base botanicals was an eye-opener—it gave us a sensory foundation to build upon. 

Using microliter quantities of botanical essences, we experimented with blending them into the gin base, closely observing how each addition evolved the aroma and flavour profile. While sampling and tasting, some math was required to keep track of our recipes, which added a fun and intellectual challenge to the process. Once satisfied with our creations, we recalculated the recipe proportions and prepared our own personalised bottles of gin.

So, what did I create?
I proudly call it my very own St. Nicholas Gin. It’s a festive, well-balanced blend that received high praise from Maxime Willems, head of the lab, who described it as “tasty and very well-balanced.”

This workshop was not just a lesson in gin-making but a testament to how technology and creativity can come together to craft something truly personal and extraordinary. If you’re a gin enthusiast or just curious about the art of distillation and blending, I highly recommend exploring what Kindred Spirits has to offer.

St-Nicholas Gin
by Double Strainger

500 ml Gin-base
5 ml Juniper 4140
2 ml Mandarin
1 ml Coriander
0,5 ml Angelica root
0,5 ml Cassia bark
0,5 ml All Spice

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.

Langlois Crémant de Loire foodpairing dinner

It’s no secret that most people like a good glass of sparkling wine. My favourites? Prosecco and Crémant often top the list—they’re versatile, delightful, and work perfectly in a variety of cocktail recipes. With the holiday season just around the corner, I suspect many sparkling moments ahead as festive bottles are uncorked.

So, when I received an exclusive invitation to a press-only culinary dinner featuring the exceptional Langlois Crémant de Loire sparkling wines, I couldn’t resist. Hosted at the private dining venue of Bistrot De Pottenbrug in Antwerp—just steps away from one of the country’s top cocktail bars—it promised to be a truly memorable evening. While the allure of the cocktail bar was strong, I stayed focused on the main event.

The highlight of the evening was the debut of Langlois' first organic Crémant de Loire Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut. This sparkling masterpiece represents a culmination of meticulous craftsmanship: handpicked grapes, transported in small boxes to preserve quality, gently pressed at 200 kg/100 litres mere hours after harvest, and aged over three years in historic cellars—far exceeding the standard 12-month requirement.

We had the privilege of tasting the Langlois Blanc de Blancs Bio 2020 Extra Brut, a vintage destined to leave its mark. Crafted from Chenin and Chardonnay grapes, its journey began with an unusually early harvest due to a warm, dry summer. 

The result? Wine of extraordinary balance, with a crisp freshness and beautifully expressive fruity aromas that reflect its perfect ripeness.

As I sipped and savoured, I couldn’t help but imagine how this sparkling gem could elevate our upcoming holiday dinners. The evening’s menu, designed to showcase the Crémant’s versatility, offered endless inspiration for festive meals at home.

So this holiday season, why not let a bottle of Langlois Crémant de Loire add a touch of elegance to your celebrations? Cheers to unforgettable moments and sparkling flavours!

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. 

Teeling Whiskey with a develish finish

In recent years, we’ve witnessed an exciting trend of collaborations between breweries and distilleries. This evolution is a positive one, as both industries work with similar ingredients to create delicious beverages. More importantly, they enhance each other’s products in unique ways.

Distillers age their spirits in barrels, which are then lent to breweries to be filled with beer. The beer absorbs the residual spirit notes, and once emptied, the barrels return to the distillery. The spirit is then aged in these beer-infused barrels, soaking up the beer’s unique flavours.

A perfect example of this is the collaboration between Teeling Whiskey and the Belgian Duvel Brewery. Bottled at 46%, this limited edition whiskey is remarkably smooth and easy to sip.

I had the pleasure of attending a Masterclass for the launch of this new bottling. We tasted the original Teeling Whiskey alongside the Duvel-influenced edition, pairing them with both the classic Duvel beer and the special '666' Duvel beer.

If I were to describe this limited edition whiskey, I’d call it an ‘aperitif-style’ whiskey. It boasts a crisp and refreshing profile, and compared to the standard bottling (with rum barrel finish), it seems to have shed the sweet and fruity notes.

After the tasting, we enjoyed some tasty sandwiches before embarking on a tour of the Duvel Brewery. It was fascinating to see the craftsmanship that thrives in this large brewery. They create exceptional beer with just water, barley, yeast, and hops.

While my followers know I’m not usually a beer enthusiast, I can certainly appreciate a well-crafted product. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations. Photo of me by M. Soberon.

Ron Matusalem Foodpairing

Three years ago I had my first sip of Matusalem rum. Back then, I was invited to a webinar about a scientific study on foodpairing. The participants were asked to try it out, using the Matusalem bottles of Gran Reserva 15 and Insolito (until this day the only rosé rum I have ever seen or tasted).

So… I was very excited to be invited to a foodpairing lunch this week, matching even more Matusalem rum variations to dishes prepared by the seasoned chef of Sanzaru Restaurant in Brussels. 

After a crisp appetizer (Sea bream ceviche, leche del tigre with coconut milk and aji amarillo, topped with Imperial gold caviar and pickled red onion gel) matched with a punch based on the Gran Reserva 15, we sat down for a three-course meal. 

The Insolito was the perfect base for a cocktail (with celery tomato and walnut bitters), matching with the starter, smoked heirloom tomato, cockle juice, lovage sorbet and cucumber celery gel.

The Gran Reserva 15 (neat) was a perfect match for the main course with Veal Blanquette, fried sushi, caramelised sweetbread and passion fruit.

The Gran Reserva 23 married the dessert, peach illusion infused with Ron Matusalem 23, kalamansi, white chocolate, hazelnut and praliné ice cream. 

But when we all thought the event was almost over, we had a true Steve Jobs-style “there is just one more thing” moment… or should I say “one more delicious sip”. 

French wine casks were added to the Solera system to produce a limited edition of 2000 bottles: Gran Reserva Lefebre 23. 

Definitely one of the better ‘pousse-café’ drinks I have had this summer 😉 

Excellent "end of summer" event. Top quality easy-sipping rum... and it's always nice to reconnect with my friends in the industry. 

Disclaimer: All pictures and texts are copyrighted by Geert Conard and Esito Consulting unless stated otherwise in the article. While some items might have been gifted by the producer or distributor, these are in no way paid promotions or recommendations.