Brandy snaps

Not to be confused with Schnapps. Snaps drinking in Sweden, early 20th century. Danish and Swedish word for a small shot of a strong alcoholic beverage taken during the course of a brandy snaps. A group of people are clustered around a table for a typical lunch that will include several courses and a clear, fiery drink.

The host pours the ice-cold liquid into frosty, conical glasses with long stems. He raises his glass, at which point the diners turn to one another and make eye contact, making certain not to leave anyone out. In Denmark, a snaps will always be akvavit, although there are many varieties of it. An entrée consisting of pickled herring and potatoes is typically served with snaps, as is the Swedish surströmming. These snapsvisor are typically odes to the joys of drinking snaps. They may praise the flavour of snaps or express a craving for it. Snaps and snapsvisor are essential elements of Swedish crayfish parties, 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. Distilling snaps at home is illegal in Scandinavian countries, unless approved by tax authorities. Illegal home distilling, however, is a widespread tradition, especially in many rural communities of Sweden, Finland and Norway. A tradition of home flavouring snaps exists in Scandinavia. This tradition is strongest in the southern areas, particularly Denmark. A snaps enthusiast will typically buy a commercially made, neutral-tasting snaps, and then add flavour to it by adding herbs found in nature or grown in a garden.

For instance, in northern Denmark, various spices are added to snaps to produce a version called “bjesk”, which roughly translated means “bitter”. Popular flavours for home flavouring include Blackthorn, Bog-myrtle, Dill, Persian Walnut, St. The Complete Book of Spirits: A Guide to Their History, Production, and Enjoyment. Uola, Mikko: Marskin ryyppy: marsalkkamme juomakulttuuria chevalier-kaartista ylipäällikön ruokapöytään. Look up tipsy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

It then referred to a confection made with honey and spices. The meaning of gingerbread has evolved over time. For centuries the term referred to a traditional European pastry, very like a modern cookie, traditionally used to make gingerbread men. It gained fame in the realm and abroad when it was brought to Sweden by German immigrants. Gingerbread was a popular treat at medieval European festivals and fairs, and there were even dedicated gingerbread fairs. The first documented trade of gingerbread biscuits in England dates to the 17th century, where they were sold in monasteries, pharmacies, and town square farmers’ markets. One hundred years later, the town of Market Drayton in Shropshire became known for its gingerbread, as is displayed on their town’s welcome sign, stating that it is the “home of gingerbread”.