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What Does Jagermeister Taste Like?

Maria Foster
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by Maria Foster

Chances are, you have come across Jagermeister once or twice, and you did not even realize it! If you have enjoyed this drink and were aware of what it was, you probably won’t be forgetting about it any time soon (depending on how much you had, anyway.)

What Does Jagermeister Taste Like?

Despite this alcohol having a reputation as being a party drink, it is actually a lot more versatile than you may initially think! In fact, it could also have health benefits!

However, in order to understand what you can use Jagermeister for, you need to understand what Jagermeister is.

So, keep reading if you want to find out what Jagermeister is, what it tastes like, and even how much you can expect to pay for it! There’s a lot to learn, so let’s jump into it.

About Jagermeister – All the Basic Information

Jagermeister (pronounced yay-gurr-mei-ster) is a popular German digestif liqueur that has a reputation for being a party favorite. However, this drink is so much more than just an alcohol!

It is actually a legitimate herbal digestif liqueur and has more in common with the fantastic Italian amaro. This is not some pathetic party drink, but so much more.

Sure, Jagermeister is great at a shot, but you can also incorporate it into various cocktails and drinks for something a little different.

If you are interested in learning about using this drink for cocktails, we’ve made a list of some of the best cocktails to try near the end of this article.

To help you out, we even linked the recipes you can use so that you can get making as soon as possible – no searching required! This delightful German drink is made with 56 kinds of botanicals and herbs.

It was created back in 1934 in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, in a vinegar factory! It has an alcohol by volume of 35%, which is pretty high for a liqueur.

Its inventor, Curt Mast, was an avid hunter and even named the drink “Hunting Master” (the name given to an official who is in charge of gaming and hunting), hence the stag on the label!

What Is Jagermeister Made From?

Since its creation, the recipe for Jagermeister has remained the same (that’s almost 90 years!). While the exact recipe has (and will) remain a secret, there are a few ingredients that we know are in this delightful liqueur.

Some of the well-known ingredients in Jagermeister include juniper berries, poppy seeds, licorice, citrus peel, saffron, and anise. There are a variety of species, roots, fruits, and herbs in this unique drink, making it impossible to recreate unless you know the company’s secret.

How Jagermeister Became The Party Drink Of Choice?

Now, you’re probably wondering how on earth Jagermeister went from being a drink for middle-aged Germans to the drink of choice for frat parties and the like. The answer comes down to one person – Sidney Frank.

Sidney Frank was a man who ran a liquor importing company and happened to import Jagermeister. The began promoting the drink to his students in the 1980s, and it quickly caught on and blew up in popularity.

So, without this seemingly random man, none of us would have had the Jagermeister experience. Although this drink’s popularity has somewhat declined in the United States over recent years, it is still well-loved in many circles.

If you chose to try this drink out again, though, you would quickly find that it is full of complex flavors. This drink is so much more than meets the eye, there is a lot to appreciate about it.

The Price Of This Liqueur

Jagermeister is a pleasant, mid-priced drink that should cost no more than $25 for a 750 ml bottle. However, since prices are always changing, you can expect some variation depending on where you are.

Generally, you should not be paying an arm and a leg for this stuff, and it should be relatively affordable – yet another reason why it’s been such a popular party drink!

What Does Jagermeister Taste Like?

What Does Jagermeister Taste Like?

If you have never tasted Jagermeister, trying to describe what it tastes like can be challenging. This liqueur is syrupy and thick, and full of complex herbal flavors if you actually take the time to taste it! You will notice potent black licorice or anise.

There are a number of similarities between Jagermeister and Amaro Nonino or other bitter liqueurs. Some might say that Jagermeister has some similarities with root beer, but with a flavor that is more robust.

It leaves the same kind of bitter taste in your mouth, and could even be compared to cough syrup for some! Overall, expect Jagermeister to be a thick, licorice-like drink that might taste more like medicine than a treat.

That doesn’t make it unpleasant, though! There are also so many uses for this liqueur, and the flavor can be tamed a little to make it more palatable for the average person.

What Is Jagermeister Traditionally Used For?

As we mentioned before, Jagermeister was actually created to be a digestif. This term refers to an alcoholic drink that is meant to help settle a person’s stomach after eating and aid digestion. However, thanks to good old Sidney Frank, this drink became popular for parties.

Even so, it could have a number of health benefits thanks to the assortment of herbs and botanicals in it – including ginseng, citrus peel, and licorice.

The most popular Jagermeister drink is arguably the Jagerbomb. This is simply a shot of Jagermeister with an energy drink of choice (usually a Red Bull). While popular, we should note that pairing alcohol with energy drinks is not a good idea.

Alcohol is a depressant and energy drinks are stimulants, so they do opposite things to the body. This can cause very unpleasant side effects such as feelings of agitation and tenseness, accompanied by heart palpitations, nausea, sleep disturbances, and more.

Luckily, there are a number of delightful Jagermeister drinks that you can enjoy without combining them with energy drinks! Just take a look at the list we’ve put together below.

Cocktails That Contain Jagermeister – Must Try Cocktails

Looking for some delicious cocktails to try out with your Jagermeister? There are plenty of fantastic options to enjoy, but these are some of our favorites:

  1. Oatmeal Cookie
  2. Jagermeister Old Fashioned
  3. California Surfer
  4. Jäger Café Cocktail
  5. Fuzzy Jäger Cranberry
  6. Fright Night in the Grove
  7. Jagermeister Spritz
  8. German Vacation
  9. Jagermeister Negroni
  10. The Inside Scoop
  11. Jagermeister Paper Plane
  12. Master Mix
  13. Jagermeister Mule
  14. Bed of Roses
  15. Colt 45
  16. Jagermeister Screwdriver
  17. Winter Warmer Mulled Sangria
  18. Stone-Cold Stinger

There’s a drink for every occasion, so be sure to test them all out and see which one is your favorite. Maybe you should even do some experimenting for yourself and come up with something original. There are endless possibilities to toy with, so have some fun with it!

Can You Cook With Jagermeister?

You do not need to reserve your Jagermeister for drinks only! There are plenty of fantastic uses for this herbal liqueur in cooking and baking if you know where to look.

From making delicious BBQ sauces and pulled pork to cookies and brownies, you can use Jagermeister for a whole host of things.

Just take a look at some of our favorite uses besides drinks that you should absolutely try. These dishes really might change your life if you are a Jagermeister lover:

  1. Jagermeister Pulled Pork
  2. Filled Bread with Shrimp and Jagermeister
  3. Jager Schnitzel
  4. Jagermeister BBQ Sauce
  5. Jagermeister BBQ Chicken Wings
  6. Jagermeister Caramelized Onions
  7. Fudgy Jagermeister Brownies
  8. Jagermeister Cookies
  9. Jagermeister and Honey Bundt Cake
  10. Lime & Matcha Truffles with Jagermeister 
  11. Jagermeister Muffins

Final Thoughts

Jagermeister was created in 1934 in Germany but only became a popular party drink in the 1980s. This drink is made up of 56 different botanicals and herbs, including citrus peel, anise, and poppy seeds, giving it a unique flavor that you can’t replicate at home.

If you have never had this liqueur before, you can expect a thick, syrupy drink with a complex flavor. There will be distinct licorice or anise flavors in there, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. The closest thing you could compare it to is Italian amaro and root beer.

While it has been a popular option for parties, Jagermeister is surprisingly versatile, and can also be used in a variety of cocktails!

About Maria Foster
Maria Foster
Maria Foster is a mother of 3 and she and her husband of 23 years share their home with 2 faithful dogs. Besides being CEO of the household and active in her community, Maria is the lead contributor to Food Champs and loves to try new food ideas and kitchen accessories to make easier and more delicious meals.
Maria Foster
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