Schnapps

Schnapps can mean two very different things depending on where it is made. In North America, it is a sweet, flavored liqueur, often tasting intensely of fruits like peach, peppermint, or butterscotch. In Europe, particularly Germany and Austria, traditional schnapps is a dry, clear, unsweetened brandy distilled directly from fermented fruits like pears, plums, or cherries.

To choose the right bottle, check the alcohol by volume (ABV) and the label. A lower ABV, around fifteen to twenty percent, usually indicates a sweet liqueur perfect for mixing into cocktails or pouring over desserts. A higher ABV, closer to forty percent, points to a traditional, dry European spirit. These fruit brandies are best enjoyed neat, served at room temperature or slightly chilled as a digestif after a meal.