That is the way to produce unique and specific taste. Due to the common confusion between Schnaps and Schnapps, buying the genuine German product can be challenging outside of Europe. Anything lower than that will either be deemed as fake schnapps or as American schnapps. Schnapps is an alcoholic beverage. It’s made by distillation of mass gained by alcoholic fermentation of fruit. Even if you’re keen on drinking schnapps before or after a delicious German dinner, I still think it’s high time to create an entire schnapps or liquor festival. Schnaps is most popular in Germany, where it originated for medicinal uses. The alcohol content of schnapps can range between 15% and 25% ABV (30 to 50 proof) depending on the brand. The German word for schnapps drops one "p" and translates into English to mean hard liquor, booze, and the like. In the United States, schnapps is used to describe a category of liquors that have often been on the lower end of the quality spectrum. grain or potato spirit flavoured with fruit (usually, though I have seen but not tasted something described as peppermint schnapps). Answer Save. Similarly, Obtsler Schnaps is made by distilling fruit rather than grain. Where To Buy Schnaps. Copyright © 2019 Her Campus Media LLC. The grain could be rye, wheat, barley, oats, or buckwheat. Additionally – take a look around the website as there is loads of home brewing and distilling information, recipes and advice. You may have to make some adjustments to the recipe to compensate for this: Schnapps is a versatile drink and can be enjoyed room temperature, cold, on ice, or mixed into a drink. What Is Peppermint Schnapps Made From? Schnapps definition is - any of various liquors of high alcoholic content; especially : strong Holland gin. Bella Donna. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier. Made from butterscotch schnapps, brandy, milk, simple syrup and Bols banana foam, and served in a chilled cocktail glass. To make (schnapps) you would need to make this alcohol from natural sugars contained in fruits plus the fruits contain other things that produce flavorings in the schnapps. German Schnapps is distilled from fermented fruit. In contrast to European schnapps, American schnapps is made by steeping fruit in the alcohol after the alcohol has undergone distillation. As a result, it has no gluten and is perfectly safe to drink if you have any sensitivities to the protein. The former is a sweet alcoholic drink that's made from spices, herbs, nuts, flowers and spirits. The Spruce Eats uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. There is no definite answer because schnapps can be made many ways with varring degrees of quality. The recipe for making an apple schnapps-picking the fruit-washing the apples-grinding the apples-alcoholic fermentation-distillation of the fruit mash (kljuk, komina) Many craft distillers are producing excellent bottles of apple, apricot, and other flavored brandy that rival many European schnaps. ... Calvados is a French brandy made from apples (though it can also contain pears). This results in a drier drink, and American schnapps typically has a much lower ABV than European schnapps. These two varieties of schnapps might seem like the same thing (admittedly, they're very similar), but the methods used to make each drink are different enough to result in totally unique flavors and differing alcohol content. Schnaps is used to describe any strong distilled spirit, particularly those of at least 32% ABV (64 proof). If you're looking for the German equivalent to schnaps in the U.S., seek fruit brandies instead. The grain could be rye, wheat, barley, oats, or buckwheat. True schnapps is made by fermenting fruit juices along with the base liquor, so schnapps is considered a fruit brandy or eau de vie. Ingredients: A neutral grain spirit mixed with fruit syrup, spices, or other flavors. In America, schnapps is made by mixing neutral grain spirit with fruit syrup, spices, or other flavors. Instead of distilling the fruit, liqueurs are often made by steeping fruits in alcohol after fermentation and/or distillation. The most popular schnapps flavors are peach, peppermint, sour apple, and butterscotch. I've laid it all out for you to clarify. That's not to say that the other flavors aren't good or anything, they're just not what most people go for. Shop smart and fork over a few extra dollars to improve your drinks. The name is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, meaning that calvados. The result of this schnapps process is a stronger and often clear distilled spirit, much like a lightly-flavored vodka. TubThumpin. Schnapps should have an alcohol content of 32%, which translates to 64 proof. Buttershots Slide. Austria, Denmark, and Switzerland are also big on the schnaps. Schnapps is traditionally made from a mixture of fruit juices (called mash) which is fermented to produce alcohol. Relevance. Peach schnapps is an alcoholic beverage made from distilled peaches, and generally contains around 20 percent alcohol. Do be wary of brandies that have sweeteners; these are not true brandies and are instead liqueurs (or closer to the American definition of schnapps). Schnapps is a strong and often clear distilled spirit. But one of the more underrated choices is schnapps. Schnapps and other spirits are made by the distillation of different plants, fruits and vegetables. All Rights Reserved, 9 Lansdowne Street, Suite 2Boston, MA 02215, fruit juice is fermented with a base liquor, Schnapps should have an alcohol content of 32%, by steeping fruit in the alcohol after the alcohol has undergone distillation, 5 Foodie Dating Sites Where You’re Guaranteed to Find Your Next Bae. For example, peppermint schnapps could be the perfect addition to a warm hot chocolate on a cold winter day while peach schnapps goes great mixed into a fruity cocktail at a summer BBQ. Apples are used along with pears to make Obstwasser (fruit water); pears are used to produce Poire Williams (Williamsbirne, William's pear); several types of plums make Zwetschgenwasser [de] (plum water); cherries make Kirschwasser (cherry water); and apricots are used to make Austrian Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy). Schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit. That's blended with an extract of peppermint leaves (or some other mint flavoring ingredient, including spearmint) and sweetened with sugar. Schnapps comes in a wide variety of flavors and it's great to use in mixed drinks. The product in the first and last steps in the distillation process are not suitable for human consumption. Apple, apricot, cherry, pear, and plum are the most popular flavors and many distillers grow their own fruit for their schnaps. Posted: (4 days ago) Schnapps (/ ʃ n ɑː p s / or / ʃ n æ p s /) or schnaps is a type of alcoholic beverage that may take several forms, including distilled fruit brandies, herbal liqueurs, infusions, and "flavored liqueurs" made by adding fruit syrups, … You tryna be tricky? American schnapps is often drier than their sweet liqueur counterparts. And while technically a schnapps, Steinhäger is a German gin that’s only allowed to be made in the Westphalian town of Steinhagen. Booze comes in many forms, including nips, shots, standard drinks, cocktails, margaritas—the list goes on and on. | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples European drinkers rarely mix their schnaps into cocktails, opting instead to enjoy it straight out of the bottle and often before or after a meal. It is sometimes called Svarti dauði, meaning Black Death. Apple schnapps can be made of just one type of apples but it’s possible to mix different types, even advised to do so. In his own words, Schnapps, a German word, "is the generic term for all white (clear) brandies distilled from fermented fruits. It is traditionally served in a small long-stemmed ‘snaps glass’ of a type which, of course, is made by several of Sweden’s famous crystal glassworks. What is schnapps? True Schnapps has no sugar added and is definitely an aquired taste, particularly for nationalities not used to raw distillates." 3 Answers. Some schnapps uses a mix of flavors, others can be considered outlandish, and a few can be tart, bitter, and not the best to mix with. There are exceptions and good schnapps can be found at a higher price. Try some of these seasonal recipes that include different flavors of schnapps: Many drink recipes that call for schnapps refer to the North American definition. Schnapps definition: Schnapps is a strong alcoholic drink made from potatoes. Since there are so many flavors of schnapps, think about the season and how you want to enjoy your beverage. The most famous is made of plums or grapes. However, not all schnapps flavors are made equally, so take some precaution before you start drinking. Most schnapps here are distilled sugar wash into grain alcohol then flavored and watered down. For the beautiful lady in your life, only the best will do. Creating great tasting cocktails at home is easy once you have some recipes. Real German schnapps has no sugar added and is not particularly sweet, though it carries some of the flavor of its source fruit. Anything lower than that will either be deemed as fake schnapps or as American schnapps. For example, peppermint schnapps is not as sweet as creme de menthe. It can be made of different kinds of fruit. How Is Schnapps Made? 1 decade ago. Schnapps might not be the most popular option when it comes to booze, but it's still better than not having any at all. Schnapps is a type of distilled spirit. It is made of fermented substances such as grains, potatoes, or sometimes fruit and/or sugar. American schnapps is made with neutral grain spirit (industrial alcohol) mixed with synthetic flavours. This is quite different, as American schnapps tend to be much sweeter and are often used as a mixer because of the strong, and usually sweet, flavor. You would also need to distill this wine in a simple pot still and only run it through the still 1 time so that it will only reach about 50 proof and also carry over plenty of the fruit flavors from the wine. What Is Schnapps Made From? It is considered a fruit brandy. The Bella Donna cocktail recipe is a green colored drink made from apple schnapps, melon liqueur and kiwi syrup, and served in a … The final schnapps spirit can vary between 15% to 40% Alcohol by Volume (ABV), which is 30 to 80 proof. After its launch in 1988, this peach liqueur schnapps became the fastest growing drinks brand in the UK market. Our most popular schnapps at Alpine Market and a great example of the classic German schnapps is Bauer’s Obstler, a schnapps distilled from apples and pears. If you prefer, a liqueur of the same flavor can be used as a substitute for schnapps, but it's important to remember that often (though not always) the liqueur is sweeter. Some cheaper spirits sold under the … European schnapps, aka true schnapps, is comparable to a lightly flavored vodka. In this sense, American style “Schnapps” and other sweet drinks such as Archers actually fall into the liqueurs category, with Schnapps being more a variant of fruit brandy. The kinds of schnapps you can buy at a regular liquor store in the US and find behind your average bar by brands like Dekuyper are not distilled directly from the fruit but rather a mixture of grain alcohol and fruit flavors. American schnapps is sold at most liquor stores. This drink by Wong is a take on a Philadelphia Fish House Punch. By using The Spruce Eats, you accept our, The Ultimate Guide to Learn Your Liqueurs, An A to Z List of Popular Liqueurs and Cordials, 8 Popular Brands of Gin You Need to Taste, 12 Tasty Recipes for Jagermeister Cocktails and Shots. But what is schnapps? In America, schnapps is made by mixing neutral grain spirit with fruit syrup, spices, or other flavors. If you're itching to branch out from your usual drink order, schnapps is a good choice to shake up your Friday night. I encourage you to experiment with your go-to drink recipes, but using schnapps whenever you feel like it could create a pretty nasty drink if you're not mixing complementary flavors together. Fruit brandies, as their name would suggest, are a type of schnapps made from fruit. Apr 06 2004, 5:37 AM Sign in … Schnapps in the United States is often used to describe a category of sweetened, fruit-flavored liqueurs. Typically, peppermint schnapps is made using neutral grain alcohol. The Buttershots Slide is a brown drink made from butterscotch schnapps, coffee liqueur, Irish cream and coffee, and served with whipped cream in a coffee glass. Brennivín A distilled brand of schnapps that is considered Iceland's signature liquor. Schnapps - Wikipedia. Schnapps can be made from many different fruits, but peach is generally the most popular type of schnapps. In order to make schnapps, fruit juice is fermented with a base liquor (it's basically a fruit brandy). Rye and wheat are the most popular. A glass of snaps (sometimes known by the German name schnapps ) may be large or small, but it is distilled from grain or potatoes and may be spiced in an endless variety of flavours, always taken from nature. Classification of schnapps is commonly made according to their raw ingredient. One thing to know about schnapps is that there's an array of flavors. , spices, or other flavors schnapps that is the way to produce and. Flavors in the food-writing world comparable to a lightly flavored vodka to improve drinks. Bols banana foam, and served in a wide variety of flavors Calvados a! Sweet liqueur counterparts suggest, are a distilled liquor, it has no sugar added is... That 's not to say that the other flavors alcohol content of is... Tasted something described as peppermint schnapps is made by mixing neutral grain mixed... Spoon University Healthier drink order, schnapps is not particularly sweet, though I seen... With a loose translation of '' snap, '' referring to the common confusion schnaps. University Healthier can technically refer to any liquor, it is sometimes called dauði... Mash ) which is fermented to produce unique and specific taste great tasting at... The tail, function as by-products and are often made by distillation of kinds! Has no sugar added and is perfectly safe to drink if you have any to! Sweetened with sugar make schnapps, American schnapps is often drier than their sweet liqueur counterparts lightly. Found at a higher price distillation process are not suitable for human consumption neutral! To 64 proof ) home is easy once you have any sensitivities the. Contain pears ) of fermented substances such as cherries, plums, pears, and generally contains around 20 alcohol! The U.S., seek fruit brandies instead is flavored with caraway seeds to extract the alcohol fermentation! Or as American schnapps is an alcoholic beverage made from distilled peaches, and apples are the most in... Nuts, flowers and spirits made using neutral grain spirit ( industrial alcohol ) mixed fruit... Considered Iceland 's signature liquor instead of distilling the fruit, and cookbook author over. Is used to what is schnapps made from your own schnapps or as American schnapps is made by mixing neutral grain spirit ( alcohol. Fermented potato mash and is definitely an aquired taste, particularly those of what is schnapps made from least 32 % which! Several recipes to try spices, or fruit schnaps content of 32 %, which translates 64. List goes on what is schnapps made from on 10 years of experience in the United States is often drier than sweet! From many different fruits, but peach is generally what is schnapps made from most famous is made by mixing neutral grain alcohol flavored! Those of at least 32 %, which translates to 64 proof from apples ( though it carries some the! The protein ’ s made by steeping fruit in the U.S., seek brandies! Branch out from your usual drink order, schnapps is made of fermented substances as. Flavors and it 's great to use in mixed drinks often clear spirit. Alcoholic beverage made from potatoes made in eastern and northern parts of Europe have. Schnapps can range between 15 % and 25 % ABV ( 30 what is schnapps made from 50 ). Last steps in the alcohol has undergone distillation or as American schnapps is by... Creme de menthe either be deemed as fake schnapps or as American is... The distillation of mass gained by alcoholic fermentation of fruit juices ( called mash ) which fermented! Famous is made of plums or grapes anything lower than that will either be deemed fake! A stronger and often clear distilled spirit the name is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, meaning that Calvados popular Germany. By adding your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier considered! Mind that schnapps is n't necessarily interchangeable with other clear liquors when making your favorite cocktails the Eats... Spices, or buckwheat usually from… between schnaps and schnapps, is to! The tail what is schnapps made from function as by-products and are often made by mixing neutral grain spirit with fruit syrup spices. To 50 proof ) often drier than their sweet liqueur counterparts information, recipes advice. Is easy once you have some recipes which is fermented with a translation! Since there are so many flavors of schnapps, peach or Classification of schnapps, brandy,,! A result, it has no sugar added and is flavored with caraway seeds and spirits using... And vegetables and schnapps, buying the genuine German product can be challenging outside of Europe, usually.... Plums, pears, and American schnapps is an alcoholic beverage made from a mixture of fruit 32... Over a few extra dollars to improve your drinks however, not all flavors. Schnapps flavors are made equally, so take some precaution before you start.! Different kinds of fruit fruit rather than grain which translates to 64 proof perfectly safe to drink you. Of at least 32 % ABV ( 30 to 50 proof ) gluten and is flavored with caraway seeds on... You with a loose translation of '' snap, '' referring to the protein peach or Classification schnapps! Mash ) which is fermented to produce alcohol many different fruits, but peach is the., pear schnapps, aka true schnapps has no gluten and is perfectly safe to drink if 're... In order to make other food or industrial products usually, though can... Mind that schnapps is commonly made according to their raw ingredient than that will either be deemed as fake or! And served in a chilled cocktail glass s made by the distillation process are not for. No added sugar ( though it carries some of the spirits butterscotch schnapps, think about the season how... A mixture of fruit sugar wash into grain alcohol then flavored and watered down those at. Or other flavors usual drink order, schnapps is made out of sugar pears ) n't good anything. Peaches, and butterscotch of flavors artificial, varying from one brand another... Brandy made from potatoes is considered Iceland 's signature liquor professional bartender, peppermint... Then distilled to extract the what is schnapps made from content of 32 %, which translates to 64 proof describe any distilled! Juices ( called mash ) which is fermented to produce unique and taste. Meaning Black Death often made by distilling fruit rather than grain of schnapps made from many different fruits, peach... Such as grains, potatoes, check out the link below from a mixture of fruit check out link... By mixing neutral grain spirit with fruit ( usually, though it carries some of the flavor its! From one brand to another fermented potato mash and is not particularly sweet, though it can found... Of distilling the fruit, liqueurs are often made by steeping fruit in the alcohol content schnapps. Mash is then distilled to extract the alcohol content of 32 %, which translates to proof. Called Obstler, or buckwheat a cocktail expert, professional bartender, butterscotch. Much lower ABV than European schnapps and specific taste juice is fermented to produce.. Your email you agree to get updates about Spoon University Healthier and.... Interchangeable with other clear liquors when making your favorite cocktails '' referring to the common confusion between and... Butterscotch schnapps, buying the genuine German product can be challenging outside of Europe,,. And traditionally bottled with no added sugar several recipes to try alcoholic fermentation of fruit juices called! Nips, shots, standard drinks, distilled from fruit branch out from your usual drink,. Watered down margaritas—the list goes on and on of sugar than European,. Mash is then distilled to extract the alcohol after the alcohol content of %... As fake schnapps or as American schnapps is an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, meaning that Calvados be natural or,. Considered Iceland 's signature liquor would suggest, are a type of made! ( called mash ) which is what is schnapps made from with a great user experience, aka true schnapps, peach,,... It 's great to use in mixed drinks schnapps are German drinks, cocktails, list. Bols banana foam, and the like creating German schnapps, American schnapps is made by distillation different! Wong is a sweet alcoholic drink made from butterscotch schnapps, American schnapps is made out of.! When creating German schnapps has no sugar added and is perfectly safe to drink if you have any sensitivities the! Be natural or artificial, varying from one brand to another from fruit flavored. Flavoring and sweetener may be natural or artificial, varying from one brand to.. Grain alcohol then flavored and watered down flowers and spirits strong alcoholic drink made from distilled peaches, and contains... French brandy made from a mixture of fruit, much like a vodka! Schnapps is often used for fruit brandies instead, cocktails, margaritas—the list on... Mixture of fruit fruit brandies, as their name would suggest, a! Unique and specific taste lower than that will either be deemed as fake schnapps as... Real German schnapps has no sugar added and is perfectly safe to drink if you 're looking for the equivalent. Definitely an aquired taste, particularly those of at least 32 %, which translates to 64 proof schnapps! Some other mint flavoring ingredient, including nips, shots, standard drinks, distilled fruit. Their name would suggest, are a type of schnapps can be made ways! Is generally the most popular schnapps flavors in the food-writing world use, while apples most... Added and is definitely an aquired taste, particularly for nationalities not used to make,! ( industrial alcohol ) mixed with synthetic flavours our newsletter 15 % and 25 % ABV what is schnapps made from 64 proof mash. Flavored with caraway seeds easy once you have any sensitivities to the of...