Snaps
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The snaps is a small shot of a strong alcoholic beverage taken during the course of a meal, very much alike the German schnapps. Drinking snaps is a tradition in the Scandinavian countries and Finland (where it is typically associated with the Swedish-speaking minority, finlandssvenskarna, but can also be enjoyed by the majority). A snaps is usually vodka or akvavit, but can also be some other light-bodied spirit, as long as it isn't sweet and provided that the flavour of the spirit is in harmony with the flavour of the meal. Spirits such as whisky or brandy are never drunk as snaps.
The Swedes and the Finlandssvenskar have a tradition of singing songs, snapsvisor, before drinking the snaps. The snapsvisa is typically an ode to the joys of snaps and praises its flavour, or expresses a craving for the drink. Interestingly, these songs more seldom celebrate the effects of the snaps, although parties where snapsvisor are sung usually end up rather moist.
The snaps (and the snapsvisa) are an inseparable part of a crayfish party, which are notoriously moist, even by Swedish and Finnish standards. This is not a surprise, since tens of songs might be sung during such a meal, and every song demands a snaps. Mind you, the glass does not need to be emptied every time and it is recommended not to drink the snaps too fast. An entrée consisting of sill (pickled herring) and potatoes is most typically served with snaps, as is also the infamous Swedish surströmming, which most people can't stomach and which is impossible to swallow without an accompanying snaps.