Schnaps

German schnaps is a broad category and a colloquial term that can be used for different types of distilled spirits. Outside of Germany and German-speaking countries, the term is loosely used, and it is often applied to clean German, Austrian, and Swiss fruit brandies (eau de vie), which are otherwise known as Obstler or Obstler Schnaps.

Confusingly, the term, which is often also spelled as schnapps, is commonly used to denote saccharine-sweet liqueurs with a low alcohol content that are often made by combining sugar syrups and grain spirits. These liqueurs often include artificial flavorings and added sugars, and they do not share many similarities with high-quality fruit brandies.

Thus, they should not be considered alike. Fruit brandies, or Obstler, are usually crisp and clear and typically have high alcohol content, usually around 37.5–42% ABV. They are typically made from plums, apricots, apples, pears, or cherries, though other types of fruit can also be used.

The fruit is usually of exceptional quality and should be perfectly ripe to be made into fruit brandy. The final result is a warming spirit with a fruity aroma and a long fruity aftertaste, which depends on its base ingredient. These fruit brandies are mostly enjoyed neat and are best served as an aperitif or a digestif, but they can also work well as a cocktail ingredient.