What does Jagermeister contain?: A deep dive into the herbal liqueur's ingredients and nutritional facts

November 9, 2025 •

3 min read

Jägermeister is famously made from a secret blend of 56 herbs, roots, fruits, and spices from around the world. This complex mixture is what gives the German-made spirit its unique and intense flavor, but for those watching their diet, the question remains: What does Jagermeister contain nutritionally?

Quick Summary

Jägermeister is a sweetened herbal liqueur crafted from 56 botanicals, aged in oak barrels. While the exact recipe is a trade secret, its ingredients include known spices and roots. A typical serving is high in calories and sugar but contains no fat, and is both vegan and gluten-free. Some variations, like Cold Brew, also contain caffeine.

Key Points

56 Secret Botanicals: Jägermeister's recipe is a closely guarded secret, but it includes 56 herbs, roots, fruits, and spices, such as licorice, anise, saffron, ginger, and citrus peel.
High in Calories and Sugar: A standard serving contains a significant amount of calories and sugar, primarily from the sweetening added during the production process.
Vegan and Gluten-Free: Jägermeister is made without any animal products and does not contain gluten, making it suitable for vegan and celiac diets.
Digestif Origin, Modern Use: Historically, it was consumed as a digestif to aid digestion, though today it is most often used recreationally.
No Significant Vitamins or Minerals: Despite its herbal origins, the final, refined liquid contains no significant vitamins or minerals; its primary nutritional content is alcohol and sugar.
Cold Brew Contains Caffeine: The Jägermeister Cold Brew variant adds coffee and cacao and contains a small amount of caffeine.

The Herbal Liqueur with a Secret

Jägermeister, whose name translates to "master hunter," is a German Kräuterlikör, or herbal liqueur, with a history dating back to 1935. Though its distinctive taste is instantly recognizable, the exact recipe is one of the industry's most closely guarded secrets. While the specific combination and proportion of the 56 ingredients are unknown, the company has revealed some of the botanicals involved in its creation.

Unveiling the 56 Botanicals

The 56 botanicals used in Jägermeister are a mix of herbs, roots, fruits, and spices. These raw, unprocessed ingredients are the heart of the liqueur's flavor profile. Some of the publicly confirmed ingredients include:

Herbs: Licorice, anise, mint, saffron, and poppy seeds.
Roots: Ginseng and ginger root.
Fruits: Citrus peel and bitter oranges.
Spices: Cinnamon, cloves, and star anise.

This blend is meticulously ground and steeped in water and alcohol for several days. After this initial maceration process, the liquid is filtered and matured in large oak barrels for about a year, which is crucial for developing its complex flavor. Finally, the aged liquid is filtered again and combined with sugar, caramel, and more alcohol before being bottled.

Nutritional Facts and Dietary Impact

For those monitoring their intake, Jägermeister contains a significant amount of calories and sugar due to the sweetening added during the final stages of production. However, it contains no fat or protein and is free of common allergens like gluten and lactose.

Here's a breakdown of the nutritional information for a standard serving (based on a 30ml shot):


Nutrient	Per 30ml Shot	Per 100ml	Daily Value (%DV)	Note
Energy	75 kcal	250 kcal	~4%	Based on a 2000 kcal diet.
Alcohol	8.3 g	27.6 g	-	Approximately 35% ABV.
Fat	0 g	0 g	0%	Jägermeister is fat-free.
Carbohydrates	4.3 g	14.2 g	~1.6%	Primarily from added sugar.
Sugar	4.0 g	13.2 g	-	Added sugar content.
Protein	0 g	0 g	0%	Contains no significant protein.

Dietary Considerations

In addition to its main ingredients and nutritional values, Jägermeister has specific characteristics important for those with certain dietary needs.

Vegan: The official Jägermeister website confirms that the herbal liqueurs are made entirely from vegan ingredients and use no animal products in their production. This makes it a suitable choice for those following a vegan lifestyle.
Gluten-Free: Jägermeister is also free of declarable allergens, including gluten. This is because it is a distilled spirit, and any gluten from potential source grains would be removed during the distillation process.
Cold Brew Edition: The Cold Brew variant, launched in 2020, adds Arabica coffee and cacao to the original 56 botanicals. This version contains a small amount of caffeine—approximately 10% of the caffeine found in an average cup of coffee per shot.

Responsible Enjoyment and Health Considerations

While Jägermeister was historically consumed as a digestif to aid digestion, its modern use is often recreational. Responsible consumption is key to minimizing potential negative health effects associated with alcohol and high sugar intake.

It is important to remember:

High-calorie beverages, including alcohol and sugary drinks, are linked to obesity. It is best to enjoy Jägermeister in moderation and avoid mixing it with high-sugar energy drinks or sodas.
Excessive alcohol consumption carries significant health risks, including dependency and liver disease. Drinking more than two drinks a day increases the risk of mortality from various causes.
Some ingredients, like cloves and anise, contain anti-inflammatory compounds. However, the alcohol and sugar content far outweigh any potential health benefits from the herbs.

For more information on balancing alcohol with a healthy diet, you can refer to authoritative sources like Harvard's Nutrition Source.

Conclusion: A Digestif with a Nutritional Profile to Note

Ultimately, what does Jagermeister contain is a blend of alcohol, sugar, and a secret mix of 56 herbs, roots, fruits, and spices. While intriguing from a botanical standpoint and suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets, its primary nutritional components are calories from sugar and alcohol, with no significant vitamins or minerals. It is best enjoyed in moderation as an occasional treat rather than a health-conscious staple.

Whether consumed as a cold shot or in a cocktail, understanding its composition allows for more informed and responsible choices. For those seeking the flavor profile without excessive sugar, consuming it chilled and unmixed is the best approach to appreciating its complex and unique taste.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, according to the official manufacturer, Jägermeister is made entirely from vegan ingredients and uses no animal products in its production, including clarifying agents.

Yes, Jägermeister is considered gluten-free. As a distilled spirit, any gluten from potential source grains is removed during the distillation process, and the product does not use any gluten-containing ingredients.

The signature taste comes from a complex, secret blend of 56 botanicals, including a variety of herbs, roots, fruits, and spices like licorice, anise, ginger, and citrus peel.

The original Jägermeister does not contain caffeine. However, the Jägermeister Cold Brew Coffee variant, which includes coffee and cacao, does contain a small amount of caffeine.

A standard 30ml shot contains approximately 75 calories and 4 grams of sugar. It contains no fat or protein, and its calories come from alcohol and added sugar.

The company recommends serving Jägermeister ice-cold, often as a shot. It is also a popular ingredient in cocktails.

Like any alcoholic beverage, excessive consumption of Jägermeister carries health risks including dependency, liver damage, and weight gain due to its high sugar and calorie content.