What Is Jägermeister? The German Herbal Liqueur, Explained
Jägermeister is a German herbal liqueur, a Kräuterlikör, made from 56 herbs, fruits, roots and spices and bottled at 35% ABV (70 proof). Curt Mast created the recipe in 1934 in Wolfenbüttel, Germany, and it went on sale in 1935. It tastes sweet, spiced and bittersweet, and the company recommends serving it ice cold.
- Jägermeister is a herbal liqueur, not a whiskey or a schnapps. It is 35% ABV, or 70 proof.
- The 56 botanicals are steeped in water and alcohol, then the extract rests in oak barrels for about a year.
- Expect licorice and anise, citrus peel, warm baking spice and a bittersweet herbal finish.
- Serve it ice cold and neat as a digestif, or mix it with tonic or ginger beer.
- It sits close to Italian amaro but is generally sweeter and more spice-driven than the bitter end of that category.
In This Guide
How Jägermeister Is Made
Jägermeister starts with 56 herbs, blossoms, roots, fruits and spices. The exact list is a company secret. The botanicals are ground and steeped for a few days in a mix of water and alcohol to pull out their flavors. Those extracts are filtered, then stored in oak barrels for roughly a year so they can knit together.
After that rest, the liquid is filtered again and blended with sugar, caramel and more alcohol to reach its final 35% ABV. The caramel is a big part of the deep brown color. The whole thing is still produced by Mast-Jägermeister in Wolfenbüttel, in Lower Saxony.
The name translates roughly to "master hunter" or "hunt master." The label leans into that: the stag with a glowing cross between its antlers refers to the legends of Saint Hubertus and Saint Eustace, patron saints of hunters. The brand became a fixture in American bars from the 1980s on, when importer Sidney Frank pushed it hard in the United States. Mast-Jägermeister bought that importing company in 2015.
What Jägermeister Tastes Like
Jägermeister opens sweet, then gets more interesting. Licorice and anise come first, followed by citrus peel, ginger, cinnamon and clove. Underneath is an earthy, rooty bitterness and a little cola-like dark sugar from the caramel. The texture is thick and syrupy, and the finish is long, warming and bittersweet.
Temperature changes it a lot. Ice cold, the sweetness tightens up and the herbs taste sharper and cleaner. At room temperature, it smells and tastes more like a traditional European digestif, with more spice and more sugar showing. If you only know it from a frozen shot, try a small pour slightly chilled and taste it slowly. It is a more serious liqueur than its party reputation suggests.
Types of Jägermeister
| Bottling | Strength | What's different | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jägermeister (original) | 35% ABV | The 56-botanical recipe from 1934 | Ice cold neat, with tonic or ginger beer |
| Cold Brew Coffee | 33% ABV | Original recipe plus cold brew coffee and a touch of cacao | Chilled, or in place of coffee liqueur |
| Orange | 33% ABV | Original recipe plus orange from Sicilian oranges | Spritzes and highballs |
| Manifest | 38% ABV | A richer bottling aged twice in oak, made for sipping | Neat, slightly cool, not frozen |
The original is sold in sizes from minis up to 1.75 liter bottles. The flavor is the same in every size, so buy the one that fits how often you pour it.
How to Drink Jägermeister
The company's own recommendation is ice cold: keep the bottle in the freezer, around 0°F, and pour a measured 1 ounce into a chilled glass. It began life as a digestif, and that is still the best way to drink it: one small, cold pour after a big meal, sipped rather than knocked back.
It also mixes better than people expect. Think of it the way bartenders use an amaro: a bold, bittersweet ingredient that adds depth to a simple highball.
Jägermeister and Tonic
- 1.5 oz Jägermeister, chilled
- 4 oz tonic water
- Orange slice
Build over plenty of ice in a tall glass and stir once. The tonic's bitterness and bubbles lift the herbs and dry out the sweetness. This is the easiest way to see what the liqueur actually tastes like.
Jäger Mule
- 1.5 oz Jägermeister
- 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- 4 oz ginger beer
Build over ice in a mug or highball glass, stir and garnish with a lime wheel. Ginger and Jäger's cinnamon and clove are a natural match, so this works especially well in the cold months.
Jägermeister Bottles to Try
The original, and the right bottle for most homes. Freezer it for cold pours or keep it on the bar cart for highballs.
Same liqueur in a half bottle. A good way to try it as a digestif or cocktail ingredient without committing to a full bottle.
The big bottle for hosts and anyone who pours Jäger and tonic regularly. Also available as a 1 liter.
The original herbs plus cold brew coffee and a little cacao. Roasted coffee and dark chocolate up front, licorice and spice behind. Try it in an Espresso Martini in place of the coffee liqueur.
A brighter take with orange from Sicilian oranges layered over the classic herbs. Made for spritzes: 1.5 oz over ice in a wine glass, 3 oz prosecco and 1 oz club soda.
See the full lineup in our Jägermeister collection.
Jägermeister vs. Amaro
Jägermeister gets lumped in with Italian amari, and for good reason. Both are herbal liqueurs made by steeping botanicals in alcohol and sweetening the result, and both started as after-dinner digestifs. Our What Is Amaro? explainer covers the Italian side in depth, and our guide to the best bitter liqueurs covers the bottles.
| Jägermeister | Italian amaro | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Germany | Italy |
| Category | Kräuterlikör (herbal liqueur) | Bitter herbal liqueur, many styles |
| Strength | 35% ABV | Roughly 16% to 40% ABV |
| Flavor | Sweet, anise and baking spice, gently bitter | Ranges from soft and orangey to intensely bitter or minty |
| Classic serve | Ice cold, neat | Neat or on ice, after dinner |
If you like Jäger, sweeter, spice-forward amari are the easiest next step. If you want something drier and more bitter, look at fernet. For other European herbal bottles like Chartreuse and Bénédictine, see our herbal liqueur guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jägermeister taste like?
Sweet and herbal. Licorice and anise lead, with citrus peel, ginger, cinnamon and clove, and a bittersweet, rooty finish.
Is Jägermeister alcoholic?
Yes. Jägermeister is 35% ABV, or 70 proof, close to the strength of many spirits even though it tastes sweet. Pour it in measured amounts.
Does Jägermeister need to be refrigerated?
No. It is shelf stable at room temperature. The company recommends serving it ice cold, so many people keep it in the freezer, where it will not freeze solid.
Is Jägermeister a whiskey?
No. It is a herbal liqueur made from botanicals, alcohol, sugar and caramel. The oak barrels are used to rest the herbal extract, not to age a whiskey.
Is Jägermeister the same as Jagertee?
No. Jagertee, or "hunter's tea," is an Austrian liqueur built on rum, black tea and spices, traditionally served hot. Stroh Jagertee is the classic example. It is a different drink from a different country.
Shop Jägermeister at The Liquor Barn
The original in several sizes, plus Cold Brew Coffee and Orange. Ships nationwide. Family-owned since 1982.
Shop Jägermeister Amaro and Bitter Liqueurs All LiqueursThe Liquor Barn operates three retail locations in Vernon Hills, Wheeling, and Niles, Illinois. We are a licensed Illinois retailer and ship to states where direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping is permitted. Prices and availability change; the product page always has the current price. Questions about shipping to your state? Contact us here. Please drink responsibly.
