How to properly drink Jägermeister

A marvelous drink Jägermeister has been present on the alcoholic beverage market for more than 85 years. Amazing history of creation, unforgettable taste and incredible aroma of German bitter is known all over the world. Not only because of its taste and medicinal properties, many famous rock performers and even the soccer team Eintracht Braunschweig took part in the promotion of the brand. One becomes a fan of Jägermeister after the first sip.

History of the liquor

In the 19th century, acetic acid solution was used to cool rocks in Germany. The enterprising Wilhelm Mast moved to Wolfenbüttel in search of new ideas for his own business. Here he opened a vinegar factory in 1878, so necessary to sustain the mining industry in the area.

The business flourished and the proprietor decided to expand production. Wilhelm was an admirer and passionate connoisseur of good wine. That is why already in a few years wine shops appear in the factory.

At the beginning of 1910, Wilhelm Mast fell seriously ill. He decided to hand over the management of the company to his 21-year-old son Kurt. The young man, who loved to hunt, was interested in experimenting with blending various herbs, fruits and spices. In addition to his abilities as a biologist and chemist, the young man had a strong sense of smell. After becoming the head of the family business, Kurt Mast started to create a new drink. He decided to base his future masterpiece on plants, flowers, fruits growing in the neighborhood of Lower Saxony.

After quite a long experimentation the young man managed to create a perfect drink. The recipe was based on about 60 varieties of herbs, fruits and roots infused with alcohol. Spices and spices gave a perfect aroma to the bitter.

Kurt dedicated his wonderful drink to all hunting enthusiasts and gave it the name "Jägermeister. In literal translation from German it sounds like "master hunter".

Having achieved the desired result in terms of taste, young Mast turned to experiments on glass. His goal was to create a bottle that could withstand bumps and falls. The drink was created for hunters, so the quality of the container played an important role.

Kurt did most of his experiments in his own kitchen. In search of the most durable glass, he broke a lot of glassware, throwing it to the floor from the height of the wooden dining table. The ancestor of Jägermeister opted for opaque, dark green and quite thick glass. To this day, the drink is bottled only in such bottles. They vary in volume, ranging from 200 ml to 1 liter.

After going through two important phases of creation, Kurt began to look for his own emblem. This issue was quickly resolved. Being a passionate fan of hunting, the creator made his choice in favor of the legendary hunter's shield described in a poem by Oskar von Riesenthal. Thus a deer with a glowing cross between the horns appeared on the sturdy green bottle. A quatrain from the work is engraved on the back.

The mystical story of the appearance of the Jägermeister

Like all ancient beverages, the Jägermeister is shrouded in lore and myth. The appearance of the bitter is associated with the famous German legend of St. Gustav. This saint was not chosen by chance, as he is considered the patron saint of hunters.

A wealthy German count fell into a severe depression after the sudden death of his wife. He found solace only by hunting wild animals. One day, while sitting in an ambush in the woods, the distraught man saw a deer. About to shoot the animal, the count suddenly stopped - a cross shone between the deer's branchy eyebrows.

The sufferer took this sign as a certain omen. He went to a monastery, took the monastic vows, and devoted his life to the service of God. Gustav was directly involved in the construction of churches, chapels, and monasteries.

In his old age, the Earl began to study the medicinal properties of plants. One day, preparing another infusion, the old man received a surprisingly tasty balsam. The legend says that besides plants, fruits and roots, the count added to the healing elixir the blood of an animal that had become sacred for him - a deer. That's why the Jägermeister has a unique taste and also gives incredible strength.

But this is just a legend. There is no sign of animal blood in the chemical composition of the bitter. Although in promotional promotions, this component was repeatedly mentioned by the famous rock performer.

Production secrets

Jägermeister is produced only at the plant Mast-Jägermeister, located in Wolfenbüttel. In the process of preparation, the main ingredients go through several stages of purification and only then are crushed.

The resulting dry mixture is poured with an alcoholic solution and placed in wooden containers. The process of infusion of herbs takes at least 3-4 months. After that, the drink is subjected to several phases of filtration.

The purified liquid is poured into oak casks and left for 7-8 months. There are over 400 barrels of this kind at the distillery. After the second stage of infusion, the herbal elixir is added with caramel syrup, brought and distilled to the desired strength. The finished bitter has a strength of 35°.

Until now there is no similar alcoholic beverage in the world. Do not be afraid to buy a fake, they do not exist either. This is carefully monitored by manufacturers.

Composition and calories

The recipe and components that make up the liquor, since the day Kurt Mast received the drink, have not undergone any changes. The proportions of the ingredients and the basic composition of the drink are kept in the strictest of secrecy.

There are reports that about 60 herbs, flowers, citrus fruits and spices from all over the world give Jägermeister its bitter taste and perfect aroma. Juniper, anise, vanilla and licorice are evident among them. A subtle woody scent gives the drink a Santal exported from the East Indies. In the long aftertaste one can guess the spicy notes of cloves, saffron, coriander and ginger. The latter comes only from South Asia. The drink is known to use cinnamon imported from plantations in Sri Lanka. The citrus flavor is provided by the zest of Australian oranges.

Herbs, roots and fruits of fruit trees, which are the basis for making bitter, endow the chemical composition with useful vitamins, macro- and microelements. Jägermeister contains:

• PP, B2 vitamins;
• small amounts of phosphorus and calcium;
• iron;
• magnesium;
• sodium.

There are 246 kcal in 100 ml of liquor. Considering that a single dose of Jägermeister when making cocktails or taking as a medicine is 30 ml, the caloric value is only 73.8 kcal.

How to drink Jägermeister properly

German liqueur is highly popular among residents of countries with cold climates and harsh winters. After all, it perfectly warms up not only the body, but also the soul, getting rid of seasonal depression. But many people have a question: what is the right way to drink Jägermeister? First of all, note - drink it in small doses (no more than 30 ml), called shots. You can experience the whole bouquet of herbs and enjoy the aftertaste of the liqueur when drinking it alone or in combination with other drinks.

With beer

Germany's favorite drink is beer. Jägermeister appeared and is produced in Germany. Not surprisingly, it was in this country that they came up with the idea to mix these two drinks. There are many variants of the combination, but the main thing is to maintain the proportions. Beer acts as a base, so it is taken 2 or 3 parts, bitter is included as an additional ingredient - always only 1 part.

The next important aspect is the preparation and serving of the cocktail:

1. The shot glass into which the liqueur will be poured should be chilled for 20 minutes in the freezer.
2. Before pouring the main ingredient, place a shot glass filled with the bitter in the beer mug.
3. Make sure that the beer jet goes exactly into the shot, so that it evenly combines with the beer.
4. It is recommended to add more ice to the bottom of the empty beer mug to cool the cocktail more.

This drink should be drunk slowly, holding the shot with your lips. People who dared to try this combination for the first time need to know - the stage of strong intoxication comes very quickly.

In its pure form

Jägermeister without any additional ingredients is consumed in two ways: strongly chilled or at room temperature.

Classic Iceshot is drunk after the main meal. In advance, before consumption, the bottle with liquor is placed in the refrigerator. The optimum temperature of the drink is 17-18°C. Going through such a strong cooling stage, the bitter acquires a richer flavor and density, and the alcohol is almost imperceptible.

In summertime, the glassware from which you plan to drink the liquor is additionally chilled.

Ice shot is drunk only in small portions (30 ml), preferably in one gulp. In its warm form the drink is consumed as an aperitif.

With energy drinks

Energy drinks are particularly popular among young people. The combination of Jägermeister and RedBull resulted in the potent alcoholic cocktail "Jager Bomb". This mixture is not in vain called the "bomb" - intoxication comes instantly. It is often used at student parties.

The method of preparation is quite simple: you fill a tall glass by 1/2 with an energy drink and quickly place a shot with liquor in it. The main thing is to have time to drink the cocktail before the RedBull pours out of the glass.

For therapeutic purposes

For the prevention of colds and the treatment of a number of diseases of the digestive system, Jägermeister is consumed in its pure form. The liquor is drunk at room temperature or slightly heated. Herbal liquor is especially good as a warming agent after a long stay in the cold. 25-30 ml of liqueur is better to drink before the main meal.

Unrefrigerated bitter has a bitter taste, which is not to everyone's liking. It can be added to tea to reduce the bitterness. 1 or 2 tbsp. is enough to keep you warm in cold weather and improve your mood.

With Coke

The carbonated drink, without which the American people can't imagine life, served as the basis for many cocktails. It also combines with the legendary German liquor. This mix is quite intoxicating, but has an amazing taste. The easiest way to test its effect is to mix 2 parts of Coca-Cola with 30 ml of Jägermeister. If you like this cocktail, you can experiment a bit and make other drinks.

Banana Beetle
Mix 20 ml of banana-flavored liqueur, a shot (30 ml) of Jägermeister and 250 ml of Coca-Cola. Before serving, put ice cubes in the glass and squeeze out some lime juice. This will make the cocktail a little less cloying.

On Halloween, the Germans prefer to drink a cocktail with the same name. They based it on cola (150 ml) and added their traditional schnapps (25 ml). And, of course, the invariable 30 ml of Jägermeister. A sprig of mint serves as a decoration for this cocktail.

What to snack on?

Originally the liquor was made as a healing drink, so it may not be a snack at all. Although in their homeland, it is customary to serve the hunters' drink with grilled sausages when cooled down.

The best way to accentuate the fruity and herbal flavor of Jägermeister is with citrus - this solution came to the minds of Americans and Russians. Thus, in the U.S. as an appetizer to the Jägermeister serve freshly sliced orange. Russians give preference to lemon: one part of the slice is sprinkled with salt, the other with ground coffee. Fresh cucumber is recommended to snack on bitter for those who do not want to feel the herbal bitterness. This vegetable does an excellent job of neutralizing it.

To snack or not to snack is an individual matter. The only combination not tolerated with Jägermeister is hot dishes.

Cocktails with Jägermeister: recipes

The global popularity of the German herbal liqueur contributes to its use as one of the indispensable components in a variety of cocktails.

Among the beautiful half of humanity and visitors to ski resorts enjoy cocktails with Jägermeister on the basis of juice or soft drinks.

Cucumber

Components:

• 120 ml of lemon-flavored sparkling water;
• fresh cucumber;
• 40 ml Jägermeister;
• Ice cubes.

Preparation:

1. Peel the skin off the cucumber. Cut into thin, almost transparent shavings.
2. Place ice in the bottom of a cocktail glass. Then place the cucumber slices.
3. Pour in the bitter and club soda alternately.

It is customary to sip the cocktail through a straw.

Jägermeister Fresh Orange

Ingredients:

• bitter - 30 ml;
• orange juice - 170 ml
• pomegranate syrup - 50 ml;
• ice.

It is desirable to use freshly squeezed orange juice. Mix all ingredients in a shaker. Before serving, place ice cubes in a glass.

Slices of red Sicilian orange are used as an appetizer and decoration.

Cocktail Oh'Deer.

Ingredients:

• apple juice - 120 ml;
• jagermeister - 25 ml;
• sprig of rosemary;
• 2-3 black elderberries.

Mix apple juice with bitter. In a glass squeeze the juice from the elderberries and omit the sprig of rosemary. The juice is used strongly chilled, almost ice cold. A few slices of lime will work as an appetizer.

Colt 45

Ingredients:

• 30 ml of gin;
• 180 ml of energy drink;
• 60 ml of Jagermeister;
• ice.

Mix gin and herbal liqueur in a shaker. Pour the mixture into a glass 1/3 full of ice cubes. Slowly pour in the last component. Drink the cocktail quickly and without thinking.

Liquid Cocaine

This mix of alcoholic beverages is capable of knocking down even the strongest man. For it you will need:

• 15 ml of Jägermeister;
• 15 ml Goldschläger (brown schnapps);
• 15 ml of Rumple Minze (mint schnapps);
• ice.

Place ice cubes and all ingredients in a shaker. Shake a few times and pour into the shot. Drink in one sip. A sprig of mint and lemon is recommended as an appetizer.

Theinsidescoop

Ingredients:

• 60 ml chilled Jägermeister;
• 70 ml Sprite;
• 120 ml of dark, ice-cold beer;
• 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream;
• 3 pcs. cumin.

Pour the Sprite into a glass. Add the liqueur and beer. Top with ice cream and sprinkle with cumin. With this cocktail serve slices of orange.

Benefits and harms of Jägermeister

Any product, especially an alcoholic beverage, has a number of beneficial properties. But you can not miss the possibility and the presence of contraindications to the use of Jägermeister, as well as bringing harm to the body.

Benefits

Drunk in moderate quantities, no more than 250 ml, herbal liquor has a favorable effect on health and well-being. This process is facilitated by natural components:

1. Cinnamon improves intestinal function, reducing gas formation, in addition, this plant fights diarrhea.
2. Anise stars act as an antiviral agent and are beneficial for the liver.
3. Cloves have anti-inflammatory natural properties and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
4. Ginger boosts the immune system, helps with mild poisoning, taking away nausea and upset.
5. Saffron reduces the degree of depression, normalizes vision. Chemists have proven that this plant fights the formation of cancer cells.
6. Chamomile flowers have not only an anti-inflammatory effect, but also normalize the digestive system.
7. Orange peel gives the drink antispasmodic, antibacterial and soothing properties.
8. Poppy seeds are useful for improving mood and help normalize sleep.
9. The presence of ginseng root makes Jägermeister indispensable in the treatment of colds and coughs.
10. Juniper is an excellent diuretic.
11. Sandalwood provides stress-relieving and calming properties of the drink.
12. Rosehip enhances the body's ability to fight various diseases.
13. Blueberries and blueberries remove toxins and harmful substances from the body and ensure a normal digestive process.

The small number of known components already testifies to the incredible benefits of Jagermeister.

Harm

The main and quite dangerous component of Jagermeister is alcohol. Therefore, even with a positive effect on the whole body, it is worth adhering to the norms and not exceeding the permissible dosages of consumption. As this can lead to negative consequences.

1. First of all, the internal organs and the work of the digestive system suffer from excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages.
2. It is not worth experimenting with Jägermeister and people who are prone to allergies. After all, the entire composition of the components of the liquor is not known for certain, and even a minimal dose can cause swelling of the throat.
3. Doctors do not recommend consuming bitter in case of diabetes, as well as in the period of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
4. Show caution with Jägermeister should also be used when treating colds. If the body temperature rose to 37 ° C or higher, you should refuse to drink the drink.

If you observe all precautions and drink the drink in moderation, strong negative effects will not follow. After all, the liquor is made without adding chemical dyes, emulsifiers and concentrates.

Interesting facts

1. This is the only alcoholic beverage in the world, which has not undergone even minimal changes in the recipe and composition of components throughout its history.
2. Imperial forester Hermann Göring gave himself the title of the Reich's Senior Hunter, so in 1934 the Jägermeister was also called Göring's schnapps.
3. For a long time the logo of the liqueur decorated the uniforms of the players of the Eintracht Braunschweig soccer club.
4. Thanks to the Mast-Jägermeister plant, the German town of Wolfenbüttel has become world famous. It is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany.
5. The famous bands Metallica, Pantera and Slayer took part in the commercials of Jagermeister.
6. For a short period of time, the Jagermeister emblem was on the hood of the Porsche 956. This once again proves that the drink belongs to the elite alcohol.
7. Several musical compositions are devoted to herbal liquor. In one of the songs from the album TheBeastwithTwoBacks, the band InkubusSukkubus calls the herbal liquor the sweetest blood from the veins of the ancient Greek god Pan.
8. The makers of Waldmeister liqueur tried to achieve a similarity to Jägermeister. Despite the proximity of the compositions, these drinks are not considered analogues. The consistency of Waldmeister is more liquid, and the taste is sweet and sugary.

Just recently (2016), the company introduced the liquor in an updated bottle. Slightly changing the look of the bottle and the color scheme of the label, the manufacturers still left the vintage design style.

Photo by Jägermeister