FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - What's the difference between American schanpps, liquers, and cordials?
Old Mar 26, 2011 | 1:02 am
  #7  
number_6
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Originally Posted by Shangri-La
Do the big-name schnapps brands use artificial flavoring instead of natural, real flavoring?
Yes, varies by flavour but these are artificially flavoured and even when natural flavouring is used (e.g. vanilla extract) it will be using low-cost ingredients and processes. American schnapps is low price and the market is price conscious, with being "sweet enough" the primary requirement. I haven't tried them all, but the ones that I have tried border on nauseating.

Mathilde is high quality, pure fruit distillation, and their pear (poire) is superb, one of the best in the world. Totally different from American schnapps (much better) and the sweetness is natural from the fruit and not added sugar. Price is usually a good indicator of quality in these products, the more expensive is generally also better (using more expensive fruit as an ingredient or some other process difference that affects cost).

For American schnapps, I prefer to buy a bottle of vodka, raspberry syrup and soda water, and mix my own (without sugar, and cheaper if you use one of the great vodkas sold by Trader Joe in US, such as Monopolowa).
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