Butterscotch Schnapps
What is Butterscotch Schnapps?
Butterscotch Schnapps is a type of liqueur flavored with butter and brown sugar. Schnapps come in different forms including distilled flavored brandies, liqueurs, and infusions. This liqueur has a sweet taste similar to butterscotch flavored caramel.
- The alcohol may have a clear color or a rich gold color, depending on the brand.
- This beverage is widely consumed in the Netherlands, Australia, and the US, and can be enjoyed in shots or used to prepare cocktails.
The most popular brands are:
- 99
- Arrow
- Bols
- DeKuyper Buttershots
- Dr. McGillicuddy’s Intense Butterscotch
- Hiram Walker
- Mr. Boston
Origin of butterscotch schnapps
Schnapps likely originated in Austria, where it is still considered to be the national drink. The word is German and refers to a strong alcoholic drink. Ancient Romans brought fruit cultivation to Austria, and soon these fruits were used to flavor the alcohol. After the invention of the copper still, Schnapps became extremely popular around the country. Maria Theresa, Empress of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, encouraged the production of Schnapps in the country to increase tax contribution, leading to its ubiquity.
Nutrition
Butterscotch offers very little in terms of nutrition. Composed mainly of simple carbohydrates, one shot has approximately:
Furthermore, overconsumption of alcohol can lead to several health problems, including affecting the brain’s functioning patterns and general lowering of immunity. Regular consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of heart disease, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, cancer, as well as obesity, depression, and aging.
Commercial production
This liqueur has an alcohol by volume that varies widely from 15 to more than 30 percent. Different brands use slightly different production methods for manufacturing this product. The basic recipe is to mix equal quantities of water and sugar, and add butter to it. Then, this is boiled and cooled, after which any type of neutral base spirit such as rum or vodka are added to it. Finally, the liqueur is sealed into a container and left to rest for at least one month.
Butterscotch schnapps recipes
This liqueur may be used in different drinks and cocktails. Here are some popular recipes:
- Butterscotch Coffee Cocktail
- Butterscotch Martini
- Bananas Foster
- The Pink Donut
- Toffifay Cordial
- Harry Potter Butterbeer
- Caramel Apple Cocktail
- Caramel Apple Shots
- Butterball Shooter
- Chocolate Butterschnapps Cake
- Butterfinger Rum Cake
- Butterscotch Chip Cookies
- Butterscotch Hot Chocolate
FDA regulations
All alcohol related products are regulated by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) in the US. Schnapps is classified as a liqueur or cordial. However, there is no specific standard of identity for butterscotch Schnapps.
References
Sarah Holden, Schnapps: All You Need To Know About Austria’s National Drink, Tourist Secrets, https://www.touristsecrets.com/travel-guide/food-travel/schnapps-everything-about-austrias-national-drink
Carol Galbicsek, Effects of Alcohol, Alcohol Rehab Guide, Recovery Worldwide, https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/alcohol/effects/
Mahato, Dipendra Kumar et al. “Sugar Reduction in Dairy Food: An Overview with Flavoured Milk as an Example.” Foods (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 9,10 1400. 2 Oct. 2020, doi:10.3390/foods9101400, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7600122/