Are There Carbs in Schnapps? A Guide to the Surprising Truth

December 11, 2025 •

3 min read

While pure distilled spirits have zero carbohydrates, the question "Are there carbs in schnapps?" has a surprisingly complicated answer that depends entirely on whether it's the traditional German fruit brandy or the modern, American liqueur version. A German Schnaps is carb-free, while the American version contains high amounts of added sugar.

Quick Summary

Schnapps' carbohydrate content is split into two types: zero-carb German Schnaps (fruit brandy) and high-sugar American schnapps liqueurs, with carb counts varying by flavor.

Key Points

German Schnaps vs. American Schnapps: Traditional German Schnaps is a zero-carb fruit brandy, whereas American schnapps is a sugary liqueur with high carb content.
Liqueurs Contain Added Sugar: American-style schnapps is made by adding sugar and flavorings to a neutral spirit, making it a high-carb beverage.
Distillation Removes Carbs: The distillation process used to make pure German Schnaps strips away fermentable sugars, leaving the final spirit carb-free.
Flavor Impacts Carb Count: The specific carbohydrate and sugar content of American schnapps will vary depending on the flavor and brand.
Always Check the Label: To be certain about the nutrition, especially if on a low-carb diet, check the specific brand's label for added sugars.
Pure Spirits are Best for Low-Carb: For carb-free drinking, stick to pure, unflavored distilled spirits like German Schnaps, vodka, or gin, and use sugar-free mixers.

The Surprising Truth About Schnapps' Carb Content

When most people hear the word "schnapps," they picture a sweet, syrupy drink like peach or peppermint schnapps. This is accurate for the American variety, but it is also the source of major confusion regarding its carbohydrate content. Traditional, German-style Schnaps is a completely different beverage—a dry, clear fruit brandy that contains no carbs. The key to understanding the carb count is to differentiate between these two very distinct categories.

German Schnaps: The Zero-Carb Distillate

In Germany and other parts of Europe, a Schnaps (often spelled with one 'p') is a clear, high-proof spirit similar to an eau de vie. It is created by fermenting fruit or grain mash and then distilling it. During the distillation process, the process of boiling and condensing the vapor separates the alcohol from the mash, effectively leaving behind all sugars and carbohydrates. The resulting product is a dry, potent spirit with a light fruity flavor and no added sugar.

Examples of carb-free German Schnaps include:

Kirschwasser: A clear cherry brandy.
Obstwasser: A brandy made from apples and pears.
Zwetschgenwasser: A plum brandy.
Himbeergeist: A raspberry spirit.

Because these are pure, unsweetened distilled spirits, they contain zero grams of carbohydrates per serving. This makes them an excellent choice for those on a low-carb or keto diet, provided they are consumed in moderation and without sugary mixers.

American Schnapps: The Sugary Liqueur

Conversely, American-style schnapps is a type of liqueur. Instead of being a pure distillate, it is made by mixing a neutral grain spirit with artificial fruit or other flavorings and a significant amount of sugar. This process makes the drink much sweeter, lower in alcohol by volume (ABV), and significantly higher in carbohydrates. The carb count in American schnapps is not consistent and varies greatly by flavor and brand, but it is always much higher than its German counterpart.

Comparison Table: German Schnaps vs. American Schnapps


Feature	German Schnaps (e.g., Kirschwasser)	American Schnapps (e.g., Peach Schnapps)
Carbohydrates	0g per 1.5 oz serving	7g to 12g+ per 1.5 oz serving
Sugar	0g	High added sugar content
Production Method	Fermentation and distillation of fruit/grain	Mixing neutral spirit with flavorings and syrup
Typical ABV	40% (80 proof) or higher	15–25% (30-50 proof)
Flavor Profile	Dry, subtle, and natural fruit essence	Sweet, syrupy, and often intense artificial flavor

How Schnapps' Carbs Affect Your Diet

For anyone monitoring their carbohydrate intake, whether for weight management, a ketogenic diet, or managing blood sugar, the distinction between German Schnaps and American schnapps is critical. A standard 1.5-ounce shot of American-style schnapps can contain anywhere from 7 to over 12 grams of sugar and carbohydrates, the equivalent of eating a couple of cookies. Consuming several shots or using them in cocktails with other sugary mixers can quickly add up, easily derailing a carb-conscious diet.

Popular American Schnapps Flavors and Their Carbs

Here are some examples of the carb content for common American schnapps flavors, typically per 1.5-ounce shot:

Peach Schnapps: Around 7-12 grams of carbs.
Peppermint Schnapps: Approximately 7-12 grams of carbs.
Butterscotch Schnapps: About 10.6 grams of carbs.
Cinnamon Schnapps: Often contains added sugars and carbohydrates.

Navigating Schnapps on a Low-Carb Diet

If you enjoy the flavor of schnapps but are avoiding carbohydrates, your best option is to seek out the traditional, un-sweetened German variety. For cocktails, use a zero-carb, pure spirit and add natural, sugar-free flavorings. For example, a cocktail flavored with a squeeze of fresh fruit and a sugar substitute is a viable low-carb option.

Conclusion

The short answer to "Are there carbs in schnapps?" is: sometimes, and it depends entirely on the style. Pure, traditional German Schnaps is a carb-free distilled spirit, while American schnapps is a liqueur that is high in added sugar and carbohydrates. If you are watching your sugar intake, always check the label and be aware of the style you are purchasing. For a truly low-carb experience, opt for the German fruit brandy, or stick to pure spirits mixed with carb-free mixers. For more information on the distinctions between these spirits, check out this guide from Alcohol Professor.

Frequently Asked Questions

German Schnaps is a dry, un-sweetened fruit brandy that is a pure distilled spirit and has zero carbohydrates. American schnapps is a sweet, sugary liqueur made by adding flavorings to a neutral spirit and therefore contains significant carbs.

American schnapps contains carbs because it is a liqueur made by adding high amounts of sugar and other sweeteners to a neutral grain spirit after distillation to achieve its sweet flavor and syrupy consistency.

Yes, traditional German Schnaps (fruit brandy) is a carb-free distilled spirit. Like other pure spirits, it contains no carbohydrates or sugar, only calories from the alcohol itself.

The carb count varies by brand, but American-style peach schnapps typically contains between 7 and 12 grams of carbs per 1.5-ounce shot due to its added sugar content.

Similar to other American schnapps liqueurs, peppermint schnapps has a high carb count from added sugar. A 1.5-ounce shot can contain between 7 and 12 grams of carbohydrates, depending on the brand.

You can drink traditional, unsweetened German Schnaps on a keto diet as it has zero carbs. However, sweet, American-style schnapps liqueurs are high in sugar and are not suitable for a ketogenic or low-carb diet.

If you are using carb-free German Schnaps, you can mix it with water, club soda, or a diet mixer. If you must use a sweet schnapps, use carb-free mixers to avoid adding more sugar.