Unraveling the Hidden History Behind Chicago’s Most Controversial Liqueur: Jeppson’s Malört
Ever tried a shot of Malört and found yourself instantly regretting your life choices? That’s the bitter charm of this infamous Chicago liqueur. It’s not loved for its taste—in fact, many claim it tastes like a dare gone wrong—but that’s exactly why it’s become a legendary rite of passage in the Windy City. You either curse it or crown yourself with the “Malört face,” a puckered, watery-eyed badge of honor worn by those brave (or foolhardy) enough to take the plunge. Curious about how this uniquely bitter spirit turned from a medicinal oddity into a cult favorite that defines Chicago’s drinking culture? Dive in and discover the bizarre history, the local legends, and why Malört is truly “only in Chicago.” LEARN MORE.
Take a shot of Malört, and you’ll probably make a face (and maybe even gag), but that’s part of the fun. This bitter liqueur has become a Chicago legend—not because it tastes good, though some insist it does, but because drinking it feels like a dare. You either regret it or wear like a badge of honor.
Malört: Liquor As Medicine
Malört (Swedish for “wormwood”) was introduced to Chicago in the early 1900s by Carl Jeppson, a Swedish immigrant who modeled it after brännvin, a traditional Nordic distilled spirit. Malört takes the bitterness of brännvin to the next level: it’s flavored with wormwood, the key ingredient in absinthe, known for its potent bitterness.
During Prohibition, Jeppson had to get creative. He marketed the tonic as a medicinal remedy, claiming it cured stomach worms and parasites, and sold it door-to-door. The authorities didn’t even try to stop him, probably because they couldn’t imagine anyone choosing to drink it recreationally. After Prohibition was repealed, the brand quietly stuck around.
From Local Joke to Cult Favorite
In the 2000s, Malört began making a comeback. Bartenders leaned into its infamous reputation, serving it as a challenge or inside joke. People started posting their “Malört face”—think puckered lips, watering eyes, and instant expressions of regret—online. It became the city’s liquid inside joke. As Bon Appétit put it, “a shot of it soon became a Chicago rite of passage.”
Ironically, at that time, Malört wasn’t even made in Chicago. It was contract-distilled in Florida for over 30 years until CH Distillery bought the brand and brought it back home in 2018. After recreating the recipe from scratch, the liqueur still packed the same punch. The only thing that changed was the color. The original contained artificial yellow dye; CH Distillery doesn’t use artificial coloring.
Only in Chicago
Should you try Malört the next time you’re in Chi-town? Absolutely—if only to say you did. Whether it becomes your go-to nightcap or a one-time mistake, Malört is a uniquely Chicago experience and one of the city’s most enduring rites of passage. You’ll find it everywhere from dive bars to cocktail lounges, but purists know: the real move is a straight shot, chased with a beer—and maybe a look of mild regret.
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