Apfelkorn
Apfelkorn is a sweet German liqueur made from grain brandy and apple. In the Netherlands, you mainly know it as an ice-cold shot at parties, or with apple juice in a large glass. What exactly apfelkorn is, what it tastes like, and which glass goes with it, you can read here.
The best-known brand and related shots
When you say apfelkorn in the Netherlands, you almost always mean Berentzen. The brand also makes other fruity liqueurs in the same way.
Berentzen
The German brand that launched apfelkorn in 1976 and is still its best-known brand.
About Berentzen →
Berentzen Apfel Tart
A Berentzen variant with the flavor of apple pie. Delicious if you like sweetness and cinnamon.
View →
Shots
From apfelkorn to herbal bitters: which drinks you have as shots and how to serve them.
About shots →German grain brandy with apple
Apfelkorn is a liqueur from Germany. The name says it all: Apfel means apple, and Korn is German grain brandy, distilled from wheat and other grains. That grain alcohol is blended with apple and sugar. The result is a sweet liqueur with a fresh green-apple flavor.
The best-known brand is Berentzen, a distillery from Haselünne in the Emsland, just across the Dutch border. Brothers Friedrich and Hans Berentzen launched their Apfelkorn in 1976. According to Berentzen, it has been a staple party drink in the Netherlands for decades. At 18% alcohol, apfelkorn is considerably lighter than jenever or vodka.
In brief
From mini shot to liter bottle
Gall & Gall sells Berentzen Apfelkorn in four sizes. It is always the same liqueur, in a different size.
Berentzen Apfelkorn 70 cl
The standard bottle. Enough for a party, and fits in the freezer.
Berentzen Apfelkorn 1 liter
The same apple liqueur in a one-liter bottle. Handy when you're pouring for a larger group.
Berentzen Apple Liqueur 4 cl
A single small bottle. To try or as a thank-you in a gift bag.
Berentzen Apple Liqueur 12 x 2 cl
Twelve small 2 cl shots, with slightly less alcohol. Chill them and hand them out.
Berentzen makes more liqueurs in this style, with pear, apple pie and other fruit. Read all about them on the brand page.
Sweet and fresh, like green apple
Green apple
Fresh and juicy, like a freshly cut apple. A hint of grain in the background.
Sweet and smooth
Sweet, with a fresh apple tartness. At 18%, little alcohol burn, especially when ice-cold.
Short and fruity
A short, sweet finish with apple. That is why it works so well as a shot or with apple juice.
Tasting profile of Berentzen Apple Liqueur at 18%.
Three ways to drink apple liqueur
Apple liqueur tastes best well chilled. Put the bottle in the refrigerator ahead of time, or place it in the freezer briefly.
Ice-cold as a shot
A small glass, well chilled. This is how most people drink apple liqueur at a party. An apple wedge is a nice extra.
Glass: shot glass →With apple juice
4 cl apple liqueur in a highball glass with ice, topped up with apple juice. Milder than a shot, and delicious for an entire evening.
Glass: highball glass →With sparkling water or soda
4 cl apple liqueur with ice and sparkling water or lemon soda. More refreshing and less sweet. A slice of lemon or apple finishes it off.
Glass: tumbler →Mixing with apple liqueur
Apple liqueur is already sweet, so you need very little to turn it into a drink. These combinations are the easiest.
Apple liqueur tonic
4 cl apple liqueur with tonic and plenty of ice, plus a few apple slices. The bitterness of the tonic tones down the sweetness.
With ginger ale
Apple liqueur with ginger ale and a lime wedge. Apple and ginger are a good combination, a bit like a mule.
With warm apple juice
A splash of apple liqueur in warm apple juice with a cinnamon stick. An easy winter drink for after ice skating or by the fireplace.
The right glass for apple liqueur
A sturdy shot glass for ice-cold drinks, a stemmed liqueur glass when you want something a little more refined, and a highball glass or tumbler for Apfelkorn with apple juice. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything else you wanted to know about Apfelkorn
Is your question not listed? Visit our page about Berentzen or contact us.
To Berentzen →What is Apfelkorn?
How much alcohol is in Apfelkorn?
How do you drink Apfelkorn?
Who invented Apfelkorn?
Is Apfelkorn a liqueur or a Korn?
Which glass do you use for Apfelkorn?
Buy Apfelkorn
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Apfelkorn online from Gall & Gall.
Prices from October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and stock at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.