Thursday, October 22, 2009

Thirsty Thursdays: Jagermeister Edition

Jagermeister, Diva?! Yes, Jagermeister, readers ... its not just for frat boys anymore!

In my search to bring you a cocktail of German origin this week, I've come across very little to tempt my palate. Mostly, Germany is a beer-drinking country; which is not to say that the country as a whole lacks for "cocktail programs". I'm sure they must exist in places like Munich and Berlin ... though, honestly, on this trip I drank beer and beer alone, so I wouldn't know.

Failing to turn up the penultimate German cocktail, I've decided to explore the wonders of Jagermeister. Laugh if you will, I did ... and then I got serious. And the serious truth is there's more to this mysterious, dark potable than meets the eye.

Jagermeister is an herbal liqueur made from a proprietary blend of over 56 different ingredients and the exact recipe is a trade secret. Its common knowledge that the blend includes cinnamon bark, ginger, bitter orange peel, and a variety of herbs. Certainly I taste notes of licorice, strong notes of licorice, which I enjoy. If you don't, perhaps this brew is not for you. Beyond that ... who knows? What I didn't know, is that Jagermeister actually is made in Germany. All this time I'd been thinking it was the product of some clever marketing agency, aimed at getting young shot-swilling people very drunk, very quick. I was quite surprised to learn that the recipe was developed in 1935 and has been produced in the same way ever since.

While Jagermeister may best be known as a shot - and usually seen in the hands of the young shot swilling crowd - turns out it makes a fine addition to a variety cocktails. Go ahead and Google it, you'll see. I took a variety of ideas from the Jagermeister site, then settled on a hybrid mix with my own special twist. I like to call it the ...

Fall Harvest:
  • 1 1/2 parts Jagermeister
  • 1/2 part dry, white, vermouth
  • 1/2 part POM Wonderful Pomegranate Tangerine Juice
  • 1/2 part cold water
  • dash of Angostura Bitters
Fill a martini shaker with ice and over it pour the Jagermeister, vermouth, POM juice and a dash or two of bitters. Close the shaker and shake vigorously until the shaker frosts. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a slice of crisp apple. Serve and enjoy, repeat as necessary!

So, how does it taste? Strong! I'm not going to lie, this drink probably isn't for everyone. But if you enjoy the herbal, sort of vaguely medicinal, properties of Jagermeister, you'll love it. The POM juice and the vermouth serve to lighten the load, so to speak, and honestly this may be the only time you'll see me add water to a drink. I found it necessary to tame the strength of the Jag and to thin the mixture a bit.

Alternately, you could choose to serve the drink over ice, rather than up, which would also help to lighten things up. Personally, I liked it. Its a deep, rich cocktail that seems just right for the onset of chilly weather. While it may not be the ultimate expression of Jagermeister's versatility - its certainly an intriguing mix.

Previously, my only experience with this liqueur was in the form of a shot ... many moons ago, when I was young and foolish. And those stories are definitely not for public consumption! ~wink~ Now that I'm in possession of a full bottle, my experiments will continue. You've been warned.

Cheers!

p.s. - you'll note that I haven't linked you to Jagermeister's website ... because, in a word, it sucks! ;)

18 comments:

Laura said...

Confession? I love Jagermeister! But I always over drink because it sneaks up on me. This looks good though,mmmmm. I prefer beer myself and I don't usually stray from it. Unless of course the pink champagne is free flowing as well as margaritas :D then I'm down with those too!

Unknown said...

Its so cool the way you are inspired after your trip to germany. I'm just the same. After paris i am doing all kinds of parisian inspired stuff. beautiful looking drink!

Ipmilat said...

I've never tried this stuff, supposing that it will taste like Underberg, i.e., like an over-the-counter catarrh remedy that you rub on your chest or squirt up your nose rather than drink. Tell me it is not so.

Did you try any German wines? They keep all the good stuff and export the schlock. I love a Riesling Auslese.

The Diva on a Diet said...

Laura - Ya know, I'm rather glad to hear that. I was afraid people would freak when I decided to feature Jag.! I'm really more of a scotch girl, myself, but a cocktail's a cocktail, right?! ;)

HH - I am feeling inspired ... so I'll be doing some German inspired recipes in the weeks to come. Looking forward to your Parisian inspirations as well!

vilges suola - I'm chucking a bit because I'm afraid I can't tell you that ... it does rather taste a bit like cough remedy. And very much so if you drink it straight. I happen to like the taste, but in future posts, I'm going to look for something a little less intense. I think it could be a magical mixer ... I just need to find the right combination.

As for the German wines - on this trip, I didn't have any ... though some of my traveling companions did. They really enjoyed the Rieslings and, you're right, the stuff they don't export is really good - far less sweet.

Fresh Local and Best said...

I've never tried Jagermeister, but I'm quite impressed that there are in excess of 56 ingredients.

Diva, you're funny, I'm glad you didn't link the Jagermeister site.

Astra Libris said...

Wow, you've definitely lifted Jagermeister to new heights! Such a perfectly mysterious, deep winter cocktail! I'm quite impressed, as always! Have you thought of opening a posh, foodie bar? Pretty please? :-)

The Diva on a Diet said...

Fresh Local Best - For better or worse, I do tell it like it is! And as for the Jag - wow, I thought everyone had done at least one shot at some point or another. My advice - sip someone else's first ... it may be an acquired taste!

Astra - funny you should ask, indeed I have. Though it was several years ago. My sister in law and I were semi-serious about the idea ... but overwhelmed by the details. Maybe some day. And, thanks!

Daily Spud said...

My only Jagermeister experiences have been of the young and foolish variety - so they're not ones that I'd care to repeat! I might, however, have to reconsider my position now that I've seen your cocktail treatment of same...

The Duo Dishes said...

This is one liquor that's always proven to be too much! It's so...intense. The fruity flavors you've added could make it better though. Bet you'll find bits and pieces of Germany touching so much of your life for the next few weeks!

Tangled Noodle said...

Put me down on the list of Jägermeister neophytes - I've seen it on liquor-store shelves but have never tasted it before. But the Diva has never steered the Noodles wrong when it comes to tasty libations so it's on the to-purchase list!

Ann (Healthy Tasty Chow) said...

I just watched the Three Sheets Hamburg edition with Jager! Zane went there and they have a Jager chiller serving shots at 0 degrees and Zane thought they went down better- Last Jager I had was a Jager bomb in college. Your mix looks much much much better!

Anonymous said...

I haven't tried Jagermeister myself but my husband who spend a few years working in Germany was just telling me all about it. I hope to get to try it soon!

Anonymous said...

Diva, I just did a write up on the Snark Handbook on Life is Just Like That...
http://itsnotthecoffin.blogspot.com

I've never tried either and after vilges comment, I probably won't, LOL

AV

Lyndsay Wells said...

I'm ascared!!!!!

I've never had Jager - but with the week I've had this cocktail might be just the thing.

I'll let you know if I get brave enough to try it!!!

stephchows said...

OMG memories of friends having bad bad nights with that bottle!! thankfully I just watched and didn't get to experience the badness :)

Donna-FFW said...

So nice to hear such an honest opinion.. it sucks, love the bluntness!!

Id try any cocktail.. always up for a nice drink:)

Deb said...

Ah Jagermeister takes me back to a biker bar in CT with my DH and his brother and being "made" to take a shot poured down my throat while leaning over backward at the bar as a "virgin" to theplace - the foolishness of youth!

gfe--gluten free easily said...

You make even Jagermeister look good! Of course, if you're a Scotch girl, you're no lightweight. LOL I love the addition of the POM Wonderful tangerine juice. :-) Of course, admittedly, I'm probably a bit partial since I attended the POM Wonderful blogger harvest festival. ;-)