What is Jägermeister?:

Jägermeister is an herbal, bitter liqueur from Germany made of a secret blend of over 50 herbs, fruits and spices. Over recent years it has gained a notorious reputation as a liquor that will get you very intoxicated, very fast. This is due mostly to its use in shooters, especially the infamous Jager Bomb. Jägermeister's reputation is one of those love-hate perceptions that come with many of the stronger distilled spirits which are often abused (ie.

tequila). However, Jägermeister does have a place in many "fancy" cocktails to add a complex, herbal back to drinks.

How is Jägermeister Made?:

A secret recipe of 56 ingredients which include "cinnamon-bark from Ceylon, bitter orange skins from Australia, santal from East India, ginger roots from southern Asia and of course, some secret herbs." That is about as much as the distillers will tell the public. However, we do know that whatever the mixture is is macerated for 5 months in alcohol and water. This concentrate is blended and filtered then stored in oak for a year, after which it is blended with sugar, caramel and more water and alcohol before bottling.

It is likely that the mysterious parts of the process led to some of the intrigue into the spirit.

Jägermeister Cocktails:

The distiller recommends drinking Jägermeister well-chilled, however I have found that it is far better mixed into the "fancy" cocktails below (those without "shooter" after them). Yet, I still recommend Jägermeister in moderation, as with all drinks, - there is something about the herbal mixture that seems more intoxicating than other spirits.

• Bed of Roses
• Colt 45
• Fright Night in the Grove
• German Vacation
• Golden Raspberry
• Jager Bomb (shooter)
• (The) Inside Scoop
• Liquid Cocaine (shooter)
• MasterMix
• Oatmeal Cookie (shooter)
• Red Headed Slut (shooter)
• Sammy Jager (shooter)
• Surfer on Acid
• Widow Maker

 

Jägermeister History & Facts:

Jägermeister was first produced in 1935, based on the inspiration of a 500 year-old recipe. It is still in the same distinct, square, green bottle as it was then. The label is inspired by the name because Jägermeister translates from German to "Master Hunter" and St. Hubertus, whose symbol is the antlered stag, is the patron saint of hunters.

On the label you will find the German inscription "Das ist des Jägers Ehrenschild, Daß er beschützt und hegt sein Wild, Weidmännisch jagt, wie sich’s gehört, Den Schöpfer im Geschöpfe ehrt." Roughly translated: "It is the hunter’s honour that he Protects and preserves his game, Hunts sportsmanlike, honours the Creator in His creatures."

Despite the rumors, Jägermeister does not include deer blood, opium or any other "nasty" ingredient.

• Produced and bottled by Mast-Jägermeister AG in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.
• Imported by Sidney Frank Importing Co.
• 35% alcohol (70 proof)
• Retails for around $21/750ml bottle
• also referred to as: Jager, Jaeger, Jagermeister, Jägermeister, Jaegermeister (if you're searching for it online try each of these spellings)
• Visit their website