Kleiner Feigling, a fig flavored vodka liqueur, has become a popular German party drink since it appeared on the scene in 1992. By now the drink has reached cult status with its own song, an app, games, and, of course, its signature way to drink it.
The Name
Let’s start with the name: kleiner Feigling literally translates to “little coward”. But it really is a play on words: the German word for “fig” is Feige which is the flavor of the liquor. klein refers to the small size of the bottle, it only contains 20ml.
The Origin
The company Waldemar Behn GmbH, located in Eckernförde in the most Northern German state Schleswig-Holstein, is a family company specializing in liquors. It was founded in 1892 and is run by family members in the fourth generation. In 1992, they came up with the idea of a fig-flavored vodka and it soon became a staple at parties. Everybody recognizes the big eyes on the black and green logo, the lavender color writing and the bottle cap.
Since then, the company has been producing the Feigling also in bigger bottles (0.35l, 0.75l, and 1l), and added new flavors like Bubble Gum, Licorice, and Magic Mango. Their bestseller though remains Kleiner Feigling – Das Original.
Successful marketing tools include merchandise articles like t-shirts and baseball caps, sponsoring parties, special party sets, games, and party tips. Its song and motto was “My life is a party”, but by now there is an actual party song appropriately called “Kleiner Feigling Party Song” by Ludwig 3.
You can check out their website where Behn GmbH offers not only the ‘normal’ liquor but also party sets for Oktoberfest or a BBQ party. You can also buy masks, a grill, an advent calendar, or a Bollerwagen (hand cart). Unfortunately, they will only deliver within Germany.
See below where you can buy Kleiner Feigling in the US.
How to drink it
There is a specific way to drink a Kleinen Feigling. You can’t just open the bottle and chug or pour it into a shot glass.
Here is what you do:
- Tap the little bottle on the table to foam it up a bit.
- Take off the cap and put it on your nose. Let the bottle sit on the table or counter.
- Put your fingers in your ears.
- Lean forward and pick up the bottle with your mouth and/or teeth.
- Lean back and drink.
- Place the empty bottle on the counter without it falling over and without losing the bottle cap stuck on your nose.
When I first encountered Kleinen Feigling at parties in the 90s, we didn’t shake up the vodka, nor did we put our fingers in our ears, and I don’t recall having to place the bottle back on the table. The ritual might have undergone some variations. And I’m sure there are different ways to drink it “the right way”.
Why we drink Kleinen Feigling the way we do, I couldn’t find out. Did somebody come up with it, and since it was fun, it spread organically? Or maybe it was marketed this way? Either way, it is now established and we won’t go back.
Party and Games
Other than the special way of drinking the fig vodka there is another game you can play and that might end up costing you, or in the least might get you drunk. The little bottles have numbers on their bottom, and it probably didn’t take long until somebody used these numbers to invent a drinking game. Whoever has the lowest number, has to pay for the next round.
We all know the game “Spin the bottle”, and now you can play it without an actual bottle. Just download the Kleiner Feigling app for free and spin a virtual Feigling bottle.
The brand Kleiner Feigling is also being promoted by parties that they organize and events that they sponsor.
Where to buy it in the US
As I said earlier, the company Waldemar Behn doesn’t deliver to any other country than Germany. I personally have not seen Kleiner Feigling in the liquor stores in my area or on their websites.
But fear not, there are online shops where you can buy the little cowards, however only the 750ml bottle seems to be available. I have not ordered from them, so please be sure to read all the fine print carefully and make decisions based on your own knowledge.
You can also check the Wine-Searcher website to find other stores (online and brick and mortar) which may be able to deliver you the fig flavored goodness.
A similar website is 1000 corks.
And if you ever have a Feigling party and post it online, don’t forget the hashtag #kleinerfeigling.
