What Is Snaps? A Beginner’s Guide to Denmark’s Favorite Shot
Learn how to pair it with your lunch or dinner order 😉 * You are welcome *
If you’ve spent more than five minutes at a Danish lunch table, chances are someone’s raised a tiny glass and shouted “Skål!” That, dear reader, was snaps, the clear, fiery, and surprisingly versatile spirit that has fueled more than a few toasts, family feasts, and questionable dance moves across Denmark.
But what exactly is snaps? And more importantly, how do you drink it without looking like a tourist?
Let’s dive in.
Snaps 101: The Basics
Snaps (often confused with schnapps) is a traditional Scandinavian spirit, typically made from grain or potatoes and flavored with herbs or spices like dill, caraway, or anise. It’s clear, high-proof (usually around 38–40% alcohol), and served ice cold in small glasses, especially during festive meals like Easter, Christmas, and birthdays.
In Denmark, snaps isn’t about getting drunk, it’s about ritual. A shared moment. A tiny, joyful reset between bites.
Pairing Snaps with Food: It’s an Art (And a Bit of a Dare)
Snaps isn’t just a drink, it’s a companion to food. And when paired right, it can actually enhance the flavors of what’s on your plate (instead of just lighting a fire down your throat).
Here’s how to pair Denmark’s iconic snaps the right way:
Pickled Herring + Rød Aalborg
A bold classic meets a bold classic. The clean, bracing caraway kick of Rød Aalborg stands up to the sharpness of pickled herring like nothing else. It’s practically a rite of passage at any proper Danish lunch.
Liver Pâté or Aged Cheese + Porse Snaps
This one’s for the serious flavor lovers. Porse snaps (flavored with bog myrtle) adds deep, earthy complexity that complements rich dishes like leverpostej or pungent cheeses. It’s wild, in the best way.
Roast Pork + Jubilæums Akvavit
Jubilæums is a refined, golden akvavit with a smoother, slightly citrusy edge. It’s the perfect pairing for Flæskesteg, balancing crispy skin, juicy fat, and the savory punch of red cabbage.
Hard Cheese or Late-Night Toasts + Gammel Dansk
Not technically a snaps, but a beloved bitter all the same. Gammel Dansk is spicy, herbal, and a little rebellious and it pairs beautifully with aged cheese or just about anything after midnight.
Snaps Etiquette: Read Before You Raise Your Glass
Make sure your snaps is ice-cold. Danes love their snaps served straight from the freezer or in a chilled glass. The cold helps soften the strong flavors and makes it easier to enjoy.
Snaps usually comes with your meal or just before a course. It’s meant to enhance the food, so don’t be surprised if your tiny glass arrives alongside the pickled herring or roast pork.
Wait for everyone to say “Skål!” before you drink. It’s polite to look around, make eye contact, and join the group in the toast.
Look your tablemates in the eye when you toast. It shows respect and connection, a small but meaningful Danish custom.
Don’t rush, but don’t drag it out either. Think of snaps as a joyful pause between bites, a tiny moment to enjoy the company and the flavors.
Come Try It the Real Way At Nyhavn 41
We don’t just serve snaps, we serve it with purpose. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned Viking, we’ll help you find the perfect match on your plate and in your glass.
Pull up a chair, try the herring, raise your glass, and feel a little bit more Danish with every bite.
Skål and see you soon at Nyhavn 41 😉
