Freihof Apricot Schnapps 750ML

Freihof Apricot Schnapps 750ML is a 35% ABV Austrian fruit brandy distilled entirely from ripe apricots at Destillerie Freihof in Vorarlberg. This expression earned a Gold Medal at the 2015 World Spirits Award, affirming the distillery's reputation for clean, fruit-forward schnapps rooted in over a century of production.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35%  |  Origin: Lustenau, Vorarlberg, Austria  |  Style: Apricot Fruit Brandy (Marillenschnaps)  |  Distillery: Destillerie Freihof (est. 1885)

Production & Heritage

Destillerie Freihof was founded in 1885 in Lustenau, a town in Austria's westernmost state of Vorarlberg, and is now operated by the fifth generation of the founding family. Production begins with ripe apricots that are set whole or chopped in water and fermented with yeast until the fruit sugars fully convert to alcohol, after which the wash is distilled. The resulting spirit carries a high distillate content and is made exclusively from natural raw materials—no artificial flavors, colors, or additives are used at any stage.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Expressive baked apricot leads the nose, followed by roasted nuts and a bitter almond base note. Subtler layers of cocoa, vanilla, honey, and a lift of eucalyptus add complexity to the fruit-driven opening.

Taste: The palate enters gently jammy and silky, with apricot compote at the forefront. Mid-palate, the fruit broadens into plum and dark chocolate territory, with marzipan and a touch of green freshness adding dimension. Good density throughout keeps the texture lush without turning heavy.

Finish: A dusting of cinnamon and a minty freshness carry into a long, fruity close. The apricot core persists well after the sip, leaving a clean stone-fruit impression.

How to Drink Freihof Apricot Schnapps

Traditionally served chilled in a small tulip glass after a meal, this schnapps rewards neat sipping at cool temperatures where the apricot aromatics are most vivid. At 35% ABV, it also has the backbone to hold its own in cocktails.

• Apricot Sour: The jammy fruit and bitter almond undertones balance lemon juice beautifully, creating a rounded stone-fruit sour.
• Marille Spritz: Mixed with prosecco and a splash of soda, the natural apricot character delivers an Austrian twist on the classic spritz format.
• Sacher Flip: Paired with egg yolk and a barspoon of chocolate bitters, the marzipan and cocoa notes mirror Vienna's famed Sachertorte in liquid form.

Best For

• Serving as a traditional Austrian digestif after a rich dinner
• Gifting to someone who appreciates artisanal European fruit brandies
• Adding depth to cocktails that call for apricot liqueur or brandy
• Building a fruit schnapps collection with authentic Alpine producers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Freihof Apricot Schnapps taste like? It delivers a silky, jammy apricot compote flavor with supporting notes of marzipan, dark chocolate, and plum, finishing with cinnamon spice and lingering stone fruit.

How does Freihof Apricot Schnapps compare to Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot? Rothman & Winter Orchard Apricot is a liqueur bottled at 24% ABV with added sugar, making it sweeter and lighter in body. Freihof is a higher-proof fruit brandy at 35% ABV with no artificial additives, resulting in a drier, more distillate-driven apricot profile.

Is Freihof Apricot Schnapps good for sipping neat? Yes—served chilled, the clean apricot distillate and balanced 35% ABV make it an excellent standalone digestif in the Austrian tradition.

Where is Freihof Apricot Schnapps made? It is produced at Destillerie Freihof in Lustenau, located in the Vorarlberg region of western Austria, where the family-owned distillery has operated since 1885.

What foods pair well with Freihof Apricot Schnapps? Apricot strudel mirrors its core fruit; dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and marzipan notes; aged Gruyère contrasts nicely with the sweetness; almond biscotti echoes the bitter almond undertone; and roast duck with stone-fruit glaze creates a savory bridge.

What sizes does Freihof Apricot Schnapps come in? The standard widely available format is the 750ml bottle.

Is Freihof Apricot Schnapps worth the price? It positions as a mid-premium fruit brandy, sitting above mass-market flavored schnapps thanks to its all-natural production, high distillate content, and World Spirits Award Gold Medal recognition—strong value for an authentic Austrian Marillenschnaps.

Why Freihof Apricot Schnapps?

What separates this expression from the crowded field of apricot-flavored spirits is its purity of process: the spirit is distilled solely from fermented ripe apricots with zero artificial flavors, colors, or sweetening agents. That commitment earned it a Gold Medal at the 2015 World Spirits Award. Backed by five generations of family distilling knowledge dating to 1885, Destillerie Freihof produces a schnapps that tastes unmistakably of real fruit rather than confected flavoring. For anyone seeking a genuine Austrian Marillenschnaps with verifiable provenance and award-winning quality, this bottling delivers with clarity and character.