Schnapps Secrets: Traditional Austrian Distilling Techniques

Schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit. It is considered a fruit brandy and is Austria's national drink. The process of making schnapps is similar to that of moonshine, but there are some differences. In this article, we will explore how Austrian schnapps is made, including the types of fruit used and the distillation process.

Austrian schnapps is made from fermented and distilled fruit

Schnapps is a strong, clear distilled spirit. It tastes similar to a light-flavoured vodka. It is considered a fruit brandy.

There are many different types of schnapps, depending on the fruit used. Apples are used along with pears to make Obstwasser (fruit water). Zwetschgenwasser (plum water) is schnapps made with a variety of plums. You could also try Poire Williams (William’s pear), a type of schnapps made with pears. You can also make Kirschwasser (cherry water) or Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy).

Schnapps is drunk straight out of the bottle or in shot form. Austrians commonly drink schnapps before, during, or after a meal to help the stomach digest food.

It's similar to moonshine, but the fruits are seeded and mashed

The process of making Austrian schnapps is very similar to that of moonshine. However, there are a few differences. After the fruits have been harvested, they are seeded and mashed. Home-brewers do not wash the fruits as this takes away the natural yeast needed to ferment the fruits.

Schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit. It is considered a fruit brandy. Schnapps is a strong and often clear distilled spirit. It tastes similar to a light-flavoured vodka.

Schnapps is made from a variety of fruits, including apples, pears, plums, and cherries. For example, Obstwasser (fruit water) is made from apples and pears, Zwetschgenwasser (plum water) is made from plums, and Poire Williams is made from pears. Kirschwasser (cherry water) or Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy) are also popular varieties.

Austrian schnapps is different from US schnapps, which is made with fruits steeped in alcohol after distillation or fermentation and often contains colour and flavour additives. To buy the Austrian version, you should look for a fruit brandy instead of the popular sweetened schnapps commonly found in US bars and supermarkets.

Home-brewers don't wash the fruit, to keep the natural yeast needed to ferment the fruit

Austrian schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit. It is considered a fruit brandy. The process of making schnapps is very close to that of moonshine, but there are some differences. After the fruits have been harvested, they are seeded and mashed. Home-brewers do not wash the fruits as this takes away the natural yeast needed to ferment the fruits.

Schnapps is made with a variety of fruits, including apples, pears, plums, and cherries. For example, Obstwasser (fruit water) is made with apples and pears, Zwetschgenwasser (plum water) is made with plums, and Poire Williams is made with pears. Kirschwasser (cherry water) and Marillenschnaps (apricot brandy) are also popular varieties of schnapps.

The production of schnapps was legalised in the 1700s by the late Empress, who permitted households to produce up to 200 litres of distilled alcohol per year. Land-owning farmers were allowed to produce an additional 100 litres. This sparked Austria's long-standing love of schnapps, with Austrians taking advantage of their home-grown fruits and berries, or those found growing in the wild, to make their own alcohol.

Unlike US schnapps, Austrian schnapps does not contain colour or flavour additives. US schnapps are made with fruits steeped in alcohol after distillation or fermentation, whereas Austrian schnapps is made by fermenting and distilling the fruit itself.

There are many different types of schnapps, including Obstwasser (fruit water), Zwetschgenwasser (plum water) and Kirschwasser (cherry water)

Schnapps is a distilled spirit made by fermenting fruit. It is considered a fruit brandy and is similar in taste to a light-flavoured vodka. The process of making schnapps is very close to that of moonshine. Fruits are harvested, seeded and mashed. Home-brewers do not wash the fruits as this takes away the natural yeast needed to ferment the fruits.

Schnapps is drunk straight from the bottle or in shot form, and is usually drunk before, during or after a meal to aid digestion

Schnapps is a strong, clear distilled spirit, similar in taste to a light-flavoured vodka. It is made by seeding and mashing fruit, without washing it so as not to remove the natural yeast needed to ferment the fruit.

There are many different types of schnapps, including Obstwasser (fruit water), Zwetschgenwasser (plum water), Poire Williams (William's pear), Kirschwasser (cherry water) and Marillenschnapps (apricot brandy).

Frequently asked questions