Jägermeister

What it is

Jägermeister is a German spiced digestif liqueur. Developed in 1934 by Wilhelm and Curt Mast, it has an alcohol by volume of 35% (61 degrees proof, or US 70 proof). The recipe of 56 herbs and spices has not changed since its creation, and the drink continues to be sold in a green glass bottle. It is the flagship product of Mast-Jägermeister SE, headquartered in Wolfenbüttel, Germany.

Key facts

What it is

trademark, brand source

Made by

Mast-Jägermeister SE source

Created

1935 source

Country of origin

Germany source

Origin and history

Wilhelm Mast originated as a vinegar manufacturer and wine trader in the city of Wolfenbüttel, Germany. His son, Curt Mast (1897–1970), was passionate about the production of spirits and liqueurs and always keen to help his father in the business even at an early age. In 1934, at age 37, Curt devised the recipe for Jägermeister after he took over his father's business.

How it is made

Jägermeister is a type of liqueur called Kräuterlikör (herbal liqueur). It is akin to other European liqueurs, such as Gammel Dansk from Denmark, Ratafia from Catalonia, Făt-Frumos balsam and Nucul de Aur from Moldova, Beerenburg from the Netherlands, Unicum from Hungary, Becherovka from the Czech Republic, Gorzka Żołądkowa from Poland, Demänovka from Slovakia, Pelinkovac from Croatia, Riga Black Balsam from Latvia, Gorki List from Serbia, Fernet-Branca from Italy, Licor Beirão from Portugal, and Chartreuse and Bénédictine from France. In contrast to those beverages, Jägermeister has a sweeter taste.

The story behind the name and label

The label on Jägermeister bottles features a glowing Christian cross seen between the antlers of a stag. This image is a reference to the two patron saints of hunters, Hubert of Liège and Eustace, both of whom converted to Christianity after experiencing a vision in which they saw a cross between a stag's antlers. The label also contains the following verse from the poem Weidmannsheil, by the forester, hunter, and ornithologist Oskar von Riesenthal (although von Riesenthal is not credited on the label).