Jägermeister is the famed German herbal liqueur made with 56 herbs, roots, fruits and spices, and it is so much more than a Jäger Bomb! Add it to a Negroni, an Old Fashioned, a Mule or even an Espresso Martini and you’ll have a completely different view of this college favorite, because it’s smart, sophisticated and delicious!
What is Jägermeister?
Jägermeister is a German herbal liqueur, or Kräuterlikör, made from 56 herbs, blossoms, roots, fruits and spices. The exact list is a closely guarded secret, but we know it includes citrus peel, licorice root, star anise, poppy seeds, saffron, ginger root, juniper berries, ginseng and so many more! The ingredients are ground, then steeped in water and alcohol to create four separate macerates, and that’s where the magic begins. It’s bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof).
Where was Jägermeister born?
We have the Mast family to thank for Jägermeister! Wilhelm Mast started a vinegar and wine business in Wolfenbüttel, Germany in 1878, and in 1934 his son Curt, a passionate hunter, created the liqueur and named it Jägermeister, or “master hunter.” For years it was enjoyed across Germany as a digestif and a soothing herbal remedy for upset tummies and coughs.
Then came the 1970s, when New York importer Sidney Frank brought Jägermeister to America. By the 1980s he had turned it into the go-to party drink for college students, and in the early 1990s he even introduced a tap machine that served it ice cold. Maybe its moniker appealed to freshmen, finally liberated from their parents’ houses and free to roam campuses! Cold shots of Jäger went down at many a college party, and the Jäger Bomb, a shot dropped into a glass of Red Bull, became one of the most popular college shooters.
Now Jägermeister has grown up, and more and more people are appreciating it and creating glorious cocktails with it.ouse and free to roam collage campuses. Cold shots of Jager went down many at college party!
Is Jägermeister made with Stag’s Blood
No, Jägermeister does not contain stag or deer blood, even though it’s sometimes affectionately nicknamed “deer juice”! This urban myth was especially popular in the US for many years, and the brand has happily set the record straight. Jägermeister is still made to Curt Mast’s original 1934 recipe, with 56 herbs, blossoms, roots and fruits and not a drop of blood.
The stag on the bottle is a tribute to Saint Hubertus, the patron saint of hunters. As the legend goes, Hubertus was a passionate hunter who met a stag with a glowing cross between its antlers, took it as a sign and changed his ways. Curt Mast, a hunter himself, chose that stag as the Jägermeister emblem, and you’ll find it front and center on every label!
How is Jägermeister made
After the ingredients are steeped, the four macerates are filtered and blended, then rest in 445 oak barrels for about a year. When the year is up, it’s filtered again and sweetened with sugar and caramel. Then a bit more alcohol goes in and it’s done!
How does Jägermeister taste
Jägermeister is bold, herbal and wonderfully complex, with warm spice and bright fruit. Yes, there’s a lovely licorice note, balanced by bitter orange and a touch of mint.
- Color: Dark amber
- Nose: Herbal, licorice, menthol, caramel, fruit
- Taste: You get the herbs and spices right away, then the fruit, especially bitter orange, and sweetness from mint come through, plus a certain spiciness from the oak casks.
- Finish: The sweetness and subtle herbs and spices linger.
- Alcohol: 35% ABV (70 proof)
Wondering how it compares to other herbal favorites? Jägermeister is sweeter than Fernet-Branca, the famously bitter Italian amaro made with 27 herbs, and if you love one herbal liqueur you’ll likely adore another. Try my Lush Guide to Amaro Lucano and Lush Guide to Amaro Montenegro next!
The classic way to enjoy Jägermeister is ice cold, straight from the freezer at about 0°F (-18°C). If you’d like a longer drink, it’s delicious with ginger beer in a Jägermeister Mule. And if you’re feeling fancy, look for Jägermeister Manifest, a super-premium version of the same 56 herbs that is oak aged twice and is not meant to be served ice cold.
Why Lush Life loves it
I’m partial to an herbal liqueur like Chartreuse and Benedictine, so you’ll always find a Jägermeister bottle on my shelf. I actually keep it in the freezer and make my Espresso Martini with a shot of Jägermeister Cold Brew, the coffee liqueur they produce. My friends sometimes even call me the “master of the hunt” when they see the freezer door opening!
Try one of these Jägermeister cocktails:
A favorite “cocktail” is simply Red Bull and Jäger, but I urge you to try one of these cocktails instead. It might take a bit more work to make them, but your effort will be well rewarded!
More Jägermeister cocktails to love:
More Lush Guides to Liquor!
Want to know more about the spirits that go into your cocktails?
- Lush Guide to Black Cow Vodka – Actually made out of cheese!
- Lush Guide to Daddy Rack Tennessee Straight Whiskey – Discover the difference that being made in Tennessee makes!
- Lush Guide to Italicus – Rosolio di Bergamatto – the wunderkind spirit that takes the humble bergamot and makes magic
- Lush Guide to Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur – a wonderful addition to the Irish Cream category
What a fantastic guide! I loved learning about the different ways to enjoy Jägermeister beyond just shots. The cocktail recipes you shared sound delicious, and I can’t wait to try the Jäger Mule. Thanks for the tips!