Jägermeister is one of those drinks that is instantly recognizable by most people. The large, rectangular bottle made from green glass has become iconic over the years; perhaps more so than the alcohol itself.
Those who enjoy nightlife will have, most likely, tasted Jägermeister at some point in their lives, even if that memory is now a drunken, hazy recollection. The Jäger Bomb, in particular, is one of the most popular shots in the world.
If you have never tasted Jägermeister, you may be wondering what it actually tastes like. Well, in this article, we will do our best to describe it to you.
So, let’s get into it.
A Brief History Of Jägermeister
Jägermeister, a term for a high-ranking administrator in control of affairs relating to game keeping, directly translates to ‘master of the hunt’ in German.
As a result of his love of hunting, Curt Mast, the son of vinegar distiller and wine trader Wilhelm Mast, gave the digestif its title when he created it back in 1934.
Since then, the liquor has become vastly popular all across the world, not just limited to Germany. Midway through the 1970s, New York merchant Sidney Frank placed an order for over 2,000 bottles to be delivered to the US.
Since then, it has gained popularity all around the world.
German digestif, Jägermeister, is created with 56 different spice blends and herbs, including citrus peel, licorice, star anise, poppy seeds, saffron, and ginseng.
These materials are pulverized, then soaked for up to three days in ethanol and water. After filtering, this concoction is kept for roughly a year in wooden barrels. The beverage is then once more processed, before being combined with sugar and alcohol.
The luminous cross that can be seen between a stag’s antlers may be observed on the packaging of Jägermeister green-colored containers.
The logo references two Christian patron saints, Saints Hubertus and Eustace, both who embraced Christianity after having visions inside which they had seen a Christian cross amongst a stag’s antlers.
Today, Jägermeister’s packaging is just as iconic and recognizable as the liquor inside.
What Does Jägermeister Taste Like?
You may have developed a notion of what Jägermeister may taste like by reading the components described in the preceding section.
Amongst the ingredients used to make this digestif are ginseng, licorice, star anise, poppy seeds, and citrus peel. Generally speaking, Jägermeister has a powerful flavor with a blend of bitterness and sweetness flavors.
Many people think that Jägermeister tastes exactly like licorice and anise, as well as having a pronounced, medicinal flavor that the herbs add. Given the component list, it would be reasonable to assume that each of these assertions is true.
Strangely, not many people are aware of the complete list of herbs and spices used in Jägermeister, and the majority of them are kept under wraps.
The ones that the public is aware of, however, taste just right because the main flavors that stand out are those of black licorice, star anise, and aromatic herbs.
So, overall, it is fair to say that Jägermeister has a very strong taste, like an earthy form of cough medicine. Some people like the flavor, and prefer to drink it neat, while others find the taste repulsive, and will only drink it in the form of a shot.
While Jägermeister definitely splits the masses in terms of whether it tastes good or not, there is no denying that it is an instantly recognizable flavor that most people will recognize.
How To Serve Jägermeister
Now that you know what Jägermeister tastes like, you may be wondering how it is served and consumed. There are several ways that you can drink this digestif, from drinking it straight to adding it to cocktails.
Below, we have listed the four most popular serving styles of Jägermeister. There are plenty of other ways to drink it, but these are just some of the most utilized around the world.
Neat
As we mentioned earlier, a lot of people actually enjoy the flavor of Jägermeister.
These people will drink the digestif neat, with no additives. If you enjoy flavors of licorice, anise, and herbs, you may prefer to drink Jägermeister in this form.
On the Rocks
By adding some ice to the concoction, the Jägermeister itself will become watered down. In turn, the digestif will lose some of its flavor, and a lot of its strength.
This makes it easier for many people to enjoy it, as the original flavor can be very overpowering alone.
Shot
Even if you have never tasted Jägermeister, you will likely be aware of the fact that it is popularly served as a shot.
This style of serving is popular even amongst those who do not enjoy the flavor, as the shot is swallowed before the taste can linger on the tastebuds.
Jäger Bomb
Finally, we have, perhaps, the most popular way to consume Jägermeister: the renowned Jäger Bomb.
This is a shot that consists of a single shot glass filled with Jägermeister, placed inside a larger shot glass filled with Red Bull, or any chosen brand of energy drink.
What Does A Jäger Bomb Taste Like?
While we have already discussed what Jägermeister itself tastes like, it will taste a lot different when used in a Jäger Bomb, which is, likely, the most popular way to consume this digestif.
Jäger Bombs are extremely popular for those who party in clubs and at parties. Anyone on a night out will have tasted a Jäger Bomb at some point, or seen someone taking one.
So, what does a Jäger Bomb taste like?
As we mentioned earlier, the Jäger Bomb consists of Jägermeister in a smaller shot glass, placed inside a larger shot glass filled with Red Bull.
If you have ever tasted any form of energy drink, you can kind of imagine what a Jäger Bomb might taste like. It tastes just like an energy drink spiked with medicinal herbs, with tastes of black licorice and star anise.
Some people claim to enjoy the taste of Jäger Bombs, even if they despise the flavor of Jägermeister. This is likely due to the fact that Jäger Bombs are largely watered down by the energy drink used, giving it a sweeter flavor, similar to a soda.
All in all, the flavor of a Jäger Bomb is, generally, preferred over the flavor of Jägermeister by the general public, due to the fact that the taste is a lot less strong, and a lot more sugary. This is why this shot is more popular than the original shot of Jägermeister.
Final Thoughts
If you’re not a fan of herbs, or the taste of licorice, it is highly likely that you won’t enjoy the taste of Jägermeister. It has an extremely strong, distinct flavor that is typically either loved or hated by each individual.
We recommend trying the Jäger Bomb to ease yourself into the flavor; it still contains the flavor of Jägermeister, but it is a lot sweeter, thanks to the inclusion of the energy drink.
Hi, I’m Aubrey, and I have been a chef for close to 8 years. Cooking has always been a passion of mine, as long as I can remember. I loved my play kitchen when I was a kid, and would offer my parents my own (albeit gross) cookie recipes to taste!
Here at ButterandSaltGatherings, I want to offer a wide range of ingredients, flavors, meals and recipes so that you can start living each day to the fullest, and enjoy only the best food.
