No matter how you feel about Jägermeister, the famed German herbal liqueur made with 53 ingredients, it’s here to stay! Say its name and most people will immediately think Jäger Bombs, but it is so much more than that.
Not that there is anything wrong Jager Bombs, but its cocktail possibilities are limitless. Take your classic cocktail, such as a Negroni, Old-Fashioned, Mule, even Espresso Martini and add Jägermeister. Taste it and you’ll have a completely different view of this college favorite. It’s smart, sophisticated and delicious!
For a long time, Jagermeister was the favorite alcoholic beverages of frat parties across the United States. The “Jager bomb” as they were called, were served in a shot glass and one of the most popular of the college shooters. Now it’s grown up and more and more people are appreciating it and creating some glorious cocktails with it.
What is Jägermiester?
Technically, Jägermeister is an herbal liqueur, made from 56 herbs and spice, fruits and roots. These include citrus peel, licorice root, star anise, poppy seeds, ginger roots, juniper berries, and 50 others! All the ingredients are ground down into a dust and then added to water and alcohol.
Where was Jägermeister born?
We have Wilhelm Mast family to thank for inventing Jägermeister. Wilhelm was a German vinegar manufacturer and, in 1934, his son Curt Mast took over the business and invented the liqueur which he called Jägermeister or “Master Hunter.”
It was known to every German and promoted as a cure for certain medical conditions and sore throats, even a cough syrup, but, in the 1980’s, a marketing genius in New York promoted it to the younger generation and made it the go-to party drink. Maybe its moniker appealed to freshmen, finally liberated from their parents’ house and free to roam collage campuses. Cold shots of Jager went down many at college party!
Is Jägermeister made with Stag’s Blood
Just to clear up an urban myth, there is no actual stag or deer blood in original Jägermeister recipe. Here is the myth dispelled directly from the Jägermeister website: “For many years, Jägermeister was believed to contain stag’s blood – a myth that was especially popular in the US. To this day, Jägermeister is made according to the original secret recipe from 1934. Regarding the stag’s blood rumor, we can clear up the mystery: rather than stag’s blood, Jägermeister contains 56 natural ingredients such as herbs, blossoms and roots.”
As you can see on the bottle, though, there is homage given to the stag right on the Jägermeister label with the stag front and center and a nod to the patron saint of hunters!
How is Jägermeister made
The herbal ingredients are mixed with water, then sieved and then left to store in oak barrels for a year. Then, when that year is over, it’s filtered and mixed with sweeteners, such as sugar and caramel. Then a bit more alcohol is added and it’s done!
How does Jägermeister taste
Jägermeister is not for the faint of heart. It has a strong, herbal flavor, with hints of spice and fruit.
- Color: Dark Amber
- Nose: Herbal, licorice, menthol, caramel, fruit
- Taste: You get the herbs and spices right away and 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 hang on.
- Alcohol: 35% – 700ml
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 produced. My friends sometimes even call me the “master of the hunt” when they see the freezer door opening!
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Where you can buy Jägermeister
UK: You can find Jägermeister at Whisky Exchange. (don’t forget to use ALushLife10SK to get 10% off! – it’s only for my readers and good on anything in their shop!
USA: You can find Jägermeister at Saucey.com.
Try one of these Jägermeister cocktails:
Although a favorite “cocktail” is simply Red Bull and Jäger”, 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 Lush Guides to Liquor!
Want to know more about the spirits that go into your cocktails? Check out my Lush Guides to Liquor!
- Lush Guide to Grenadine – the syrup that’s in almost all your favorite cocktails
- Lush Guide to Avallen – the new calvados that is so fabulous in cocktails
- Lush Guide to Rampur Double Cask Indian Single Malt Whisky – the premier Indian whisky
- Lush Guide to Starward Left-Field Whisky – Australia’s whisky that is fantastic in cocktails
- Lush Guide to Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin – Tanqueray makes all sorts of different gins – this one is a blackberry lover’s dream
- 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
Let me know what you think of Jägermeister by tagging me @alushlifemanual on instagram
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