Snaps

This article is about the Nordic spirit measure. For the alcoholic beverages, see Schnapps. For other uses, see Snap.

In the Nordic countries, especially Denmark and Sweden, but not in Iceland, snaps (pronounced [ˈsnaps], Finnish: snapsi), among many nicknames, is a small shot of a strong alcoholic beverage taken during the course of a meal.

A snaps

Snaps drinking in Sweden, early 20th century.

In Denmark, a snaps will always be akvavit, although there are many varieties of it. In Sweden, snaps is a more general term for any small amount of "liquor"; although usually brännvin, it may also be other spirits, such as vodka, bitters/bitter liqueurs, whisky or brandy etc. In Norway, a more common name is the synonym dram (from the unit of the same name).^[1][2] One of Finland's strongest alcohol drinks served as snaps is Marskin ryyppy, named after Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim.^[3]

The word "snaps" also has the same meaning as German Schnapps (German: [ʃnaps]), in the sense of "any strong alcoholic drink".^[4]

Culture

Snaps shanties

Main article: Snapsvisor

Swedes, Danes and Swedish-speaking Finns have a tradition of singing songs, called snapsvisor ("snaps shanties"), before drinking snaps. These songs are typically odes to the joys of drinking snaps. They may praise the flavour of snaps or express a craving for it.

Festivities

Poster used at the 1922 Swedish prohibition referendum, emphasizing that crayfish parties requires snaps, and thus its banning would kill off crayfish parties with it, depicting a bottle of liquor and a glass for snaps together with cooked crayfish. The text in English: "Crawfishes demand these beverages! You have to forego crawfishes unless you vote no on August 27."

Snaps and snapsvisor are essential elements of Swedish festivities involving food, especially Midsummer and crayfish parties (Swedish: kräftskiva), which are notoriously tipsy affairs. Dozens of songs may be sung during such a party, and every song requires a round of snaps. However, the glass need not be emptied every time.

Nicknames

Another subculture are the many nicknames for snaps, some of which might be regional. Some names are heavily associated with certain phrases used in conjunction with snaps drinking.

See also

• Liquor portal
• Drink portal

• Schnapps
• Drinking culture
• Moonshine