What Is Schnapps? And Why Isn't It Always Sweet?

Discovering European-Style Fruit Schnapps, from Apple and Apricot to Peach

Mention Peach Schnapps and many people immediately picture something sweet, syrupy and destined for a cocktail.

Then they taste ours.

And realise schnapps can be something quite different.

Tamborine Mountain Distillery has been making schnapps for more than 30 years, with Apple, Apricot and Peach Schnapps that focus on the character of the fruit rather than trying to turn it into a dessert.

So why can two bottles labelled schnapps taste completely different?

It comes down to the different traditions behind the name.

What Is Schnapps?

The answer depends on where you are.

In parts of Germany and Austria, schnapps traditionally refers to strong, clear spirits, including fruit spirits made in a style closer to an eau-de-vie or fruit brandy than the sweet schnapps commonly encountered in Australia.

The emphasis is on capturing the character and aroma of the fruit rather than adding enough sugar to make the spirit taste like a liqueur.

In the United States and some other markets, however, the word schnapps has become strongly associated with sweetened, flavoured spirits and liqueur-style drinks.

That's why someone's first taste of a traditional-style fruit schnapps can be surprising.

Same familiar word.

Very different glass.

Is Schnapps the Same as a Liqueur?

Not necessarily.

A liqueur is generally a sweetened spirit flavoured with ingredients such as fruit, herbs, spices, nuts, flowers or botanicals.

Traditional-style fruit schnapps places much less emphasis on sweetness.

That's also why we make both.

If you're looking for rich, sweet and dessert-like flavours, explore our liqueur collection.

If you'd rather discover a drier expression where the fruit itself takes centre stage, start with our schnapps collection.

Meet Our Fruit Schnapps

Apple Schnapps

Apple Schnapps brings a crisp, tart fruit character that makes it particularly good served neat or lightly chilled.

If you prefer a longer drink, keep things simple: add soda water and a squeeze of fresh lemon rather than burying the apple beneath too many other ingredients.

Try it with: Fresh salads, seafood or soft cheeses.

Simple serve: Apple Schnapps + soda + fresh lemon.

Apricot Schnapps

Apricot Schnapps moves into a rounder, riper style of fruit.

It's an easy one to enjoy slowly on its own, particularly after a meal, but sparkling water can turn it into a lighter long drink.

Try it with: Roast meats, cheese or fruit-based desserts.

Simple serve: Apricot Schnapps + sparkling water + fresh peach.

Peach Schnapps

If your idea of Peach Schnapps comes from very sweet cocktail mixers, this is the bottle that may change your expectations.

Our Peach Schnapps is about the aromatic character of peach rather than simply sweetness.

Serve it chilled, over ice or lengthened with soda or tonic.

Try it with: Grilled fish, roasted vegetables or a light panna cotta.

Simple serve: Peach Schnapps + tonic + fresh mint.

And What About Aquavit?

Aquavit deserves a little explanation of its own.

While you'll find our Fennel & Caraway Aquavit alongside the schnapps range, aquavit comes from a different European tradition.

Associated particularly with Scandinavia, aquavit is a spirit characterised by botanicals such as caraway and dill. Our expression brings caraway together with fennel for an aromatic, savoury character quite different from our fruit schnapps.

Serve it neat and slightly chilled to experience those botanicals clearly.

Or add tonic and cucumber for a simple long drink.

Try it with: Smoked salmon, charcuterie, hearty breads and savoury grazing plates.

Simple serve: Aquavit + tonic + cucumber.

How Should You Drink Schnapps?

If you're trying one for the first time, start neat.

That gives you a reference point for the fruit character, aroma, sweetness and finish before you start adding anything else.

From there, try it:

• lightly chilled
• over ice
• with soda or sparkling water
• with tonic
• in a simple cocktail
• alongside food

The important thing is not to assume schnapps needs to be hidden inside a sweet cocktail.

Sometimes the most interesting way to drink it is also the simplest.

Finding Your Favourite Schnapps

The best way to understand schnapps is to taste it.

Start neat or lightly chilled and notice the fruit character, aroma and finish. Then try the same schnapps over ice or with a simple mixer and see how the experience changes.

Apple, Apricot and Peach each bring something different to the glass, while our Fennel & Caraway Aquavit takes you in an altogether more savoury, botanical direction.

And if your only experience of schnapps has been something very sweet?

You might be surprised by what you find in the bottle.

► EXPLORE OUR SCHNAPPS COLLECTION

Frequently Asked Questions

Is schnapps sweet?

It can be, but schnapps isn't always sweet. Some products sold as schnapps are sweetened and liqueur-like, while traditional European-style fruit schnapps can be much drier, allowing the natural character and aroma of the fruit to stand out.

What is the difference between schnapps and liqueur?

Liqueurs are sweetened spirits flavoured with fruit, herbs, spices, nuts, flowers or other ingredients. Traditional-style fruit schnapps is generally much less focused on added sweetness, producing a drier style where the fruit character is more prominent.

What is the best way to drink schnapps?

A good place to start is neat or lightly chilled so you can taste the spirit itself. Fruit schnapps can also be served over ice, with soda or tonic, or used in cocktails.

Is Peach Schnapps always sweet?

No. Although Peach Schnapps is often associated with sweet, liqueur-style products, drier European-style expressions also exist. The flavour and sweetness can vary considerably depending on how the schnapps is made.

Is Aquavit a schnapps?

Aquavit is better understood as a distinct Scandinavian spirit tradition rather than simply another type of fruit schnapps. It is characterised by botanical flavours, traditionally including caraway and/or dill. Our Fennel & Caraway Aquavit sits alongside our schnapps collection but offers a distinctly savoury botanical drinking experience.