Jägermeister (German for hunter master) is a strong 70-proof (35%) liqueur flavored with herbs (similar to Danish so-called stomach bitters such as Gammel Dansk). The exact list of the 56 herbs used is kept secret. It is often described as tasting like licorice, but is sweeter and less overpowering than a true black licorice liquour would be.

Jägermeister is the main product of Mast-Jägermeister AG. The company's headquarters are in Wolfenbüttel, south of Braunschweig, Germany. The company was founded in 1878 by Wilhelm Mast. In 1934, the recipe for the herbal liquor was developed, and the product was introduced to the German market in 1935. Beginning in 1970, it is being exported into 60 countries. In the USA, it became popular through savvy promotion by Sidney Frank.

The Jägermeister logo, the head of a stag with a glowing cross between the antlers, is a reference to the story of Saint Hubert. On the edge of the label of a Jägermeister bottle, the following poem by Otto von Riesenthal is printed:

Das ist des Jägers Ehrenschild,

daß er schützt und hegt sein Wild,

weidmännisch jagt, wie sich's gehört,

den Schöpfer im Geschöpfe ehrt.

In English:

This is the hunter's honor shield,

to protect and nourish his game,

to hunt in the proper way,

to honor the Creator in the creature.

Jägermeister is often served as a chilled (rougly 5°F) shot, but is also used in mixed drinks. Jägermeister is commonly combined with Red Bull to make a mixed drink called a "Jäger Bomb"

External links

• Jägermeister USA home page
• Jägermeister Germany home page