Schnapps is a type of distilled beverage. The word Schnapps is derived from the German word Schnaps and refers to usually clear alcoholic beverages distilled from fermented cereals, roots or fruits, including cherries (Kirschwasser), apples, pears, peaches, plums and apricots. Often, the base material for making schnapps is the pulp that is a by-product in juice production. True Schnapps has no sugar or flavoring added.

Schnapps is similar in flavor and consistency to vodka, with light fruit flavors, depending on the base material. The alcohol content is usually around 40% by volume.

Many liquors, such as peach schnapps and butterscotch schnapps, do not actually meet the strict definition of schnapps. They can be the result of differing processes that do not involve direct fermentation. Some of these use a primary alcohol, such as schnapps, vodka or rum, to extract flavors out of fruit. Often, additional ingredients are added, most commonly sugar.

Because of the wide variety of Schnapps (or Schnapps-imitative) flavours available, it has been spoofed in several ways. In an episode of the program South Park, a fictional flavor called "S'more Schnapps" is released; and in the film Little Nicky one of the characters shows a penchant for Peppermint Schnapps. The 1984 snap election in New Zealand was dubbed the 'schnapps election' by Tom Scott, in reference to Prime Minister Robert Muldoon calling the aforementioned election while he was drunk.

See also snaps.

Distilled beverages | German loanwords

Spirituosen | Snaps | Schnaps | Шнапс