The Jägerita Is Exactly What It Sounds Like
It's almost frozen drink season! Maybe you like to sip on a pina colada while sitting by the pool, or maybe you've got a bit of a vintage vibe about you, so you gravitate toward an old-school frozen daiquiri. Perhaps you're a tiki kind of person, and a frozen rum runner sounds like your idea of a good time. Or you may want all the fun of a frozen cocktail — but with a bit of chaos thrown in the mix. A drinkable version of "The Hangover" or a keg party in a glass, but make it tropical. Well, then it sounds like you need a Jägerita.
Yes, a Jägerita: a margarita, but with Jägermeister instead of a tequila. This easy-to-make drink is Jersey Shore meets Cabo San Lucas, simply poured into a blender and then (we assume) straight down the hatch of a frat bro on spring break.
But before you dismiss the drink as some disgusting concoction, you should know that the Jägerita has a pretty legit origin story. It was born one fateful night in 2008, when a group of respected bartenders and liquor industry experts were gathered at an event in London. As the story goes, someone called out to Bacardi brand ambassador David Cordoba for a Jägerita. He obliged, and thus the Frankenstein of the cocktail world lurched to life.
How to make a Jägerita
Jägermeister is a custom-blended liqueur in the vein of other amari, like Cynar or Fernet-Branca. Having originated in Germany, it's concocted from a blend of 56 different herbs and spices. It's one of those brands that people either love or hate, and it really gained popularity in the U.S. in the late '90s with the hard partying crowd, due in large part to the advent of the Jägerbomb.
Even though Jägermeister's bitter flavor and syrupy mouthfeel have plenty of detractors, it actually tastes quite delicious when mixed with the sweet and sour flavors of a margarita, supporters say. If that sounds like something you're down to try, then head to your nearest liquor store, or just ask any 22 year old in your life. According to the official Jägermeister website, the recipe for a Jägerita is as follows:
- 1 ½ parts Jägermeister
- ¾ part Cointreau
- ¾ part lime juice
- ¼ part simple syrup
With that recipe, you can make a single Jägerita to enjoy on a hot summer's day, or whip up a whole pitcher of Jägeritas for what will likely be the wildest Cinco de Mayo fiesta you've ever thrown. And if all that sounds like a little too much of a party in a glass, maybe these other fun frozen summer cocktails are more your speed.