Schnapps

Schnapps is a term broadly used for a variety of strong alcoholic drinks across Europe and North America. Schnapps originated in the late Middle Ages in Germanic regions as farmers put excess fruit to good use to make spirits. In each region, distinctive recipes and flavours developed. They were brought to a wider audience when German immigrants travelled to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries. This led to a schnapps split, with the word referring to two different distinct styles. In Europe, schnapps refers to clear fruit brandies typically made in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland from apples, pears, plums, or cherries. Whereas in the U.S., schnapps has come to represent a sweeter, often artificially flavoured spirit similar to liqueur, with popular flavours like peppermint, butterscotch, and peach. Famous varieties of schnapps include Archers Peach Schnapps, Goldschläger Cinnamon Schnapps, Messer Schmitt Herbal Schnapps, and the ranges produced by Berentzen and Teichenné.