Schnapps

Schnapps (/ʃnɑːps/ or /ʃnæps/) is a "strong alcoholic drink resembling gin and often flavored with fruit." The English word "schnapps" is derived from the German Schnaps [ʃnaps] (plural: Schnäpse).

Schnaps is a Low German noun that means "swallow"; it has been documented in its High German meaning since before the 18th century.

Types

German

The German term Schnaps refers to any kind of strong alcoholic drink, similar to how eau de vie (water of life) is used in French, or aguardente (burning water) in Portuguese

In Austria, Switzerland, southern Germany, and the French region of Alsace, a type of schnapps called Obstler or Obstbrand (from the German Obst, fruit) is very popular. Obstler, which are fruit brandies, are mainly associated with the southern part of the German-language area. In northern Germany, almost all traditional distilled beverages are grain-based.

The main kinds of fruit used for German schnapps are apples, pears, plums, cherries, and apricots. Fruits other than these five are rarely used. 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 (plum water); cherries make Kirschwasser (cherry water); and apricots are used to make Austrian Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy).