Ruqayyah Snyder
Schnapps is a popular fruit brandy that is typically from Germany and is an integral part of German drinking culture. However, Austrian schnapps is also famous, and there are thousands of distilleries across the country. Austrian schnapps is made from fermented and distilled fruit and is usually consumed straight from the bottle or in shot form. It is also sometimes consumed before, during, or after a meal to aid digestion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Alcoholic Beverage | Fruit brandies, herbal liqueurs, infusions, and "flavored liqueurs" |
| German Term | Schnappen |
| Austrian Speciality | Made from fruits, herbs, and spices |
| ABV | 15-20% |
| Fruits Used | Apples, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Apricots, Blueberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Currants, Rowanberries, Peaches, and Sloes |
| Other Ingredients | Nuts, Herbs, Rose Petals, Syrup, Spices, or Artificial Flavorings |
| Brands | Archers, Jägermeister, Underberg, Kuemmerling, Killepitsch, Wurzelpeter, Rumple Minze |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian schnapps is made from distilled fruit
Austrian schnapps is a distilled drink made from fruit. It is a type of alcoholic beverage that can take several forms, including distilled fruit brandies, liqueurs, and infusions. The drink is typically clear and strong, with an alcohol content of around 40-65%.
Schnapps is made by mashing and fermenting fruit, usually apples, pears, plums, and cherries, and sometimes other fruits like apricots, berries, and peaches. The fruit is then distilled into a strong, clear liquor, and water is added to reduce the alcohol content and make the drink more palatable. This process has been used in Austria since the 18th century when a communal mobile still would circulate among households.
Austrian schnapps is often consumed straight from the bottle or in shot form, and it is considered a digestif, aiding digestion when consumed before, during, or after a meal. It is also used for toasting, with the traditional Austrian toast being "Prost," which means health and is similar to "cheers" in English.
The drink is an important part of Austrian culture and is produced by thousands of distilleries across the country, both private and public. The quality of Austrian schnapps is highly dependent on the fruit used, and distillers strive to capture the flavors and aromas of the fruit at their peak ripeness. As a result, schnapps-making can go on for months, as different fruits mature at different times of the year.
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It is also made from herbs and spices
Austrian schnapps is made from herbs and spices. It is a type of alcoholic beverage that can take several forms, including distilled fruit brandies, liqueurs, and infusions. The word "schnapps" is derived from the colloquial German word "Schnaps", which refers to any kind of strong, dry spirit. In the English language, "schnapps" is used as a general term for fruit brandies, herbal infusions, or flavoured liqueurs.
Schnapps is often associated with German drinking culture, but it is also a popular drink in Austria, where it is considered the national drink. There are thousands of distilleries across the country, both privately and publicly owned, specialising in this spirit. Austrian schnapps is typically made from fermented and distilled fruit, resulting in a clear, strong liquor. However, it can also be made from herbs and spices, giving it a unique flavour.
The process of making schnapps involves mashing fruits, such as apples, pears, plums, and cherries, and letting them ferment for several days before distillation. The addition of water brings the alcohol content down to a more palatable level. Austrian schnapps is known for its emphasis on using peak-season fruits to capture the best flavours and aromas.
While the fruit-based varieties are more common, schnapps made from herbs and spices is also significant. This variation is created by adding herbal or fruit flavours to a neutral spirit. The specific herbs and spices used can vary, but some common ingredients include nuts, rose petals, and various spices. The resulting schnapps can be clear and strongly flavoured, with a sweet taste.
Austrian schnapps made from herbs and spices is typically consumed straight from the bottle or in shot form, often used as a digestive aid before, during, or after a meal. It is an integral part of Austrian culture, and its production and consumption unite German-speaking Austria and Germany, despite their distinct flavours.
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Fruits used include apples, pears, plums, and cherries
Austrian schnapps is a popular fruit brandy, with the most popular variety being Marillenschnapps, made from apricots. However, Austrians use a wide variety of fruits to make schnapps, including apples, pears, plums, and cherries.
Apples are used along with pears to make Obstwasser (fruit water). Obstwasser is a type of Austrian schnapps. The name Obstwasser translates to "fruit water".
Plums are also used to make Zwetschgenwasser (plum water), another variety of Austrian schnapps.
Poire Williams, or William's pear, is a type of schnapps made with pears.
Kirschwasser, or cherry water, is a type of schnapps made with cherries.
Austrian schnapps is made from the essence of peak-of-season fruit. Distillers may pick their pears and plums at the moment they ripen and ferment them immediately, capturing the flavours and aromas at their peak.
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Apricots are used to make Marillenschnapps
Schnapps is a type of alcoholic beverage that can take several forms, including distilled fruit brandies, liqueurs, infusions, and flavoured liqueurs. Obstler is a traditional type of Austrian schnapps made by fermenting and distilling macerated fruit. The main kinds of fruit used for Obstler are apples, apricots, cherries, pears, plums, and quinces.
Bailoni Marillenschnapps, or Apricot Schnapps, is a popular variety of the spirit. It captures the essence of sweet, juicy apricots and is known for its heavenly aroma of freshly picked apricots. The natural sweetness of the apricots is balanced with a subtle tartness, creating a harmonious flavour profile. Bailoni Marillenschnapps can be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed into cocktails like a Bellini or Apricot Sour.
Apricots are also used to make Geist, a type of schnapps created by infusing macerated fresh berries or other fruits in neutral spirits before distillation. The most common Geist is made from raspberries, but apricots are another commonly used fruit.
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Schnapps is made from surplus fruit harvest
Schnapps is a type of alcoholic beverage that may take several forms, including distilled fruit brandies, herbal liqueurs, infusions, and flavoured liqueurs. Austrian schnapps is made from the surplus fruit harvest.
Austrian schnapps is a distilled spirit made from fruit, typically apples, pears, plums, and cherries, and sometimes other fruits such as apricots, berries, and peaches. It is a clear, strong liquor with an alcohol content of around 40-65%. The process of making schnapps has changed little since distillation technology became widespread in Austria in the 18th century. Families would mash fruits, let them ferment for several days, then distill them into liquor. Water is then added to reduce the alcohol content and make the drink more palatable.
Schnapps is a popular fruit brandy that is typically German, although Austrian schnapps also falls into this category. It is an integral part of German drinking culture, and Austrians have their own distinctive flavours. While German schnapps is often associated with "Obstler" or "Obstbrand", meaning "fruit brandy", Austrian schnapps is simply referred to as "schnaps".
Austrian schnapps is made from the surplus fruit harvest. Fruit that is ripe and in season is used to make schnapps, with distillers like Reisetbauer fermenting their pears and plums immediately to capture the flavours and aromas at their peak. The variety of fruits available throughout the year means that schnapps-making can be a year-round activity for professional and home distillers.
The demand for Austrian schnapps is huge and growing, with thousands of distilleries across the country, both privately and publicly owned. The unique flavour and culture of consumption of schnapps have contributed to its popularity. Austrians typically drink schnapps straight from the bottle or in shot form, often to aid digestion before, during, or after a meal.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian schnapps is made from distilled fruit brandies, including apples, pears, plums, and cherries.
Austrian schnapps is made from fermented and distilled fruit, whereas American schnapps is made with fruits steeped in alcohol after distillation or fermentation. American schnapps also contains colour and flavour additives.
Marillenschnapps, a fruit brandy made from apricots, is the most popular Austrian schnapps.
Austrian schnapps typically has an alcohol content of around 40-50%.
