Jägermeister , the original European John Barleycorn that took the US by storm and has fueled pretty much every frat political party since the Freemasons , will always be near and dear to our essence . Nobody ’s deny that . But Jäger is also just the tip of the ice luge when it comes to potent ( and strange ) tipples from across the pond . Here are eight more you ’ll desire to seek out on your next European holiday .

Boza

BulgariaBoza only contains 0.5 % alcohol , but it still had to be on this inclination – after all , it ’s considered to be where the word " booze " comes from . Boza is a malt beverage made from fermented pale yellow , usually enjoyed as part of a hearty breakfast in Bulgaria . For the non - connoisseur , however , it tastes like a sour barm mire that ’s been permeate for day in a bread shaper .

Unicum

HungaryUnicum is often visit Hungary ’s " National Accelerator " and with serious reason . It ’s a democratic cordial made from a mystical portmanteau word of more than 40 herbs and spice . You could say Unicum taste a lot like Campari , except more medicinal and drunken ( after all , it is 40 % alcohol ) . It ’s often served as an aperitif , or a dig between draft of Magyar beer .

Țuică

RomaniaȚuică is traditional , and not technically illegal , Romanian moonshine that you ’ll retrieve on sale at markets and served everywhere from weddings to festivals . It ’s made from nothing but barm and plum , and a bottle can run from anywhere between 30 - 60 % alcohol – so go easy on the shots .

Becherovka

Czech RepublicIf you ever chug Hot 100 and give the monetary value for it , Becherovka may raise up traumatic memory . Seventy - six - proof herbal bitter made from a secret recipe , it was primitively trade as a digestive and tastes like a more acute cinnamon schnapps . It ’s serve up with tonic for what Czechs call a " concrete , " but we dare you to drop it in Red Bull .

Korn

GermanyLike the American metal band , this 75 - proof booze is hard to wield in big doses . It ’s made similarly to vodka , except with less - thorough filtering for a rougher , cereal taste .

Honey pepper vodka

UkraineHorilka pertsivka , or vodka flavored with honey and red chili white pepper , is all the fad in Ukraine justly now . And while infused vodka is scarcely anything revolutionary , this extract antecede hipsters and their crazy trade cocktail by about a hundred year . It ’s potent , risque , and usually wait on with pickled veggies . Hopefully , in a Bloody Mary .

Koskenkorva Salmiakki

FinlandIf you ’ve ever assay piquant Glycyrrhiza glabra in Scandinavia or Holland , then you ’ll know what to anticipate from Koskenkorva Salmiakki . It ’s a cordial made from ammonium chloride ( the same ingredient in the candy , which is also in cough sirup ! ) that tastes tart and – although at least sweeter than the actual salty liquorice – is evocative of puerility grippe . The Finnish order it as a shot or over ice .

Brennivin

IcelandAlso referred to as " Black Death , " Brennivin is a 40 % schnaps made from Solanum tuberosum mash and lots of native Icelandic spices . Traditionally , it ’s best service with a side ofhákarlor rotten shark meat . If you ’re rummy how those flavors blend together , just check into out thisvideoof Gordon Ramsay throwing up after test it .

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Boza

Koraysa/Shutterstock

Unicum from Hungary

Flickr/Paul Downey

Becherovka

Flickr/Gourmandise

Honey Pepper Vodka

Wikimedia

Brennivin

Flickr/Garrett Ziegler