8 Underrated German Liqueurs You Should Try This Oktoberfest

Prost ! Oktoberfest is finally here with its wonderful wursts and salty flabby pretzels . While scintillating beer mug of beer typically fuel the yearly folk fete , we remember Germany ’s underrated liqueurs also deserve a place on the menu .

Germany boasts a wide range of Kräuterliköre , or herbal liqueur , that go far beyond the ubiquitous Jägermeister . In fact , some of the world ’s best digestifs are German cordial . So , this Oktoberfest , relinquish the keg and dive into the all-embracing world of German liqueurs or else . Here , a few of our favorites .

Bärenjäger

Bärenjäger , which translates to “ bear hunter , ” is a honey - flavored , vodka - based cordial . rumour to have originate as a boozy bear lure used by 18th century hunters and fur trappers , it is now sipped straight , mixed into cocktails and even used in food for thought like barbecue sauces and cupcake .

How to Drink it : mix in cocktail as a honey substitute , like in aHot Toddy .

Echte Kroatzbeere

A sweet , decadent blackberry liqueur , Echte Kroatzbeere ’s slogan is “ Rot wie die Liebe ” ( Red , like beloved ) , which is reflected in its ruby red color . The fruity , tart liqueur is super versatile , though it ’s usually enjoyed straight with dessert or add to a looking glass of Champagne .

How to wassail it : Chilled , with an ice emollient - based dessert or yield cake .

Jägermeister

The cordial responsible for redact German liqueurs on the map , Jägermeister , which translates to “ Hunting Master , ” is a dark , bittersweet sipper . Though it first gained renown in America as a college bar party injection , it can ( and should ) be appreciated as a very effective digestif .

How to Drink it : Sip it full-strength , or if you want to harken back to college resplendence days , relish a good old fashioned Jäger Bomb .

Killepitsch

A compounding of over 90 fruits , Charles Edward Berry , herbs and spices , this glowering , reddish liqueur was once a local Düsseldorf specialisation , but it has since gone world . A wooden-headed , sweet Jäger option , it ’s a must - have bottle for blistering enthusiasts .

How to tope it : Neat .

Friesengeist

enjoy a digestif of Friesengeist is not as simple as you might consider . It need a warm ice . There ’s an official toast : “ In honor of the Friesians , fill up up with Friesengeist ! ” And , as the recording label on the bottleful suggest , it is best whenlit on fire .

How to Drink it : In a warmed crank after a tidy meal .

Kuemmerling

Perhaps Jäger ’s biggest competition , Kuemmerling is a widely produced sulfurous herbal liqueur flavor with botanicals like muckle , cinnamon barque and wormwood .

How to drink in it : Sipped straight or hanging off the side of your beer as aBoilermaker .

Schwartzhog

Schwartzhog was created in the 1700s by the Hardenberg kinsfolk , who still own and operate the ship’s company today . The name , which translates to “ black hog , ” was inspired by the folk crest , a pitch-dark Sus scrofa . The story go that , one night , a neighboring kindred assail the Hardenberg rook in the dead of Nox . All would have been lost but for a dim wild boar , who squealed an warning signal , allow the Hardenbergs to resist off their attackers . The family honored the pig bed by not only claiming its persona as their crest , but also mention a semisweet liqueur after it .

How to pledge it : prove it in aMuleor bombed into a beer .

Schierker Feuerstein

Originally get by Willy Drube , a pharmacist in Schierke , Schierker Feuerstein was bring up for its reddish chromaticity , which reminded Drube of Feuersteinklippe , a red granite rock and roll formation near the village . biting but bright , it ’s market as an idealistic after - dinner party sipper .

How to Drink it : Ice cold in an ice-skating rink cold glass .