Schnapps

Schnapps, also spelled schnaps, is a type of alcoholic beverage. It can be a distilled fruit brandy, a herbal liqueur, an infusion, or a flavored drink.

The word "schnapps" comes from the German word Schnaps. This word is related to the verb "schnappen," which means "to snap." This refers to how the drink is often enjoyed quickly.

Schnapps is popular in many countries and can be made from many different fruits and herbs. It is often enjoyed as a special treat or after meals.

European

The German word Schnaps means any strong, dry spirit. This is similar to how eau de vie means "water of life" in French, aguardiente means "burning water" in Spanish, and aguardente means the same in Portuguese.

Obstler

Main article: Fruit brandy

Obstler, or Obstbrand, is a type of schnapps made from fruit. It is made by fermenting fruit and then distilling it to create a clear, unsweetened fruit brandy. This kind of schnapps is traditional in Austria, Switzerland, northern Slovenia, southern Germany, and parts of France called Alsace and Lorraine. The fruits most often used are apples, apricots, cherries, pears, plums, and quinces.

Geist

Main article: Geist (liquor)

Geist is another type of schnapps made from fruit. It is made by soaking fresh berries in a strong alcohol called neutral spirits before distilling it. The most common kind is Himbeergeist, made from raspberries. Other fruits like blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and currants can also be used.

Liqueur

Many types of schnapps are made by adding herbal or fruit flavors to a neutral spirit. In the UK, peach schnapps is very popular. It is often drunk alone or mixed into drinks. It is made by adding peach flavouring to a neutral grain spirit.

Kräuterlikör is a herbal liqueur similar to Italian amaro. Popular brands include Jägermeister, Underberg, Kuemmerling, Killepitsch, and Wurzelpeter.

American

In America, a type of sweet drink called schnapps is made by mixing a strong spirit with fruit syrup, spices, or other flavors. These drinks are not as sweet as some older types of liqueurs like Cherry Heering and creme de menthe. They usually have about 15 to 20% alcohol, though some can have more.

Peppermint was one of the first flavors of American schnapps, introduced in 1940. In 1982, a brand called Mr. Boston started selling apple-flavored schnapps, and soon after, many new flavors became popular, especially peach and peppermint. By 1986, flavors like apricot, banana, brandy, butterscotch, cinnamon, coffee, cola, cranberry, grapefruit, hazelnut, pineapple, and chocolate were available.

Schnapps became very popular in the 1980s, especially with younger people who enjoyed mixing it with other drinks. For example, a popular mix was peach schnapps and orange juice, called a fuzzy navel.

In Wisconsin, there is a traditional drink called An Aber Gut, which is a shot of brandy with a splash of peppermint schnapps. A similar drink in Minnesota is called a Snowshoe.