Schnapps (/ʃnɑːps/ or /ʃnæps/) is a "strong alcoholic drink resembling gin and often flavored with fruit." The English word "schnapps" is derived from the German Schnaps [ʃnaps] (plural: Schnäpse).Schnaps is a Low German noun that means "swallow"; it has been documented in its High German meaning since before the 18th century.