Jeppson's Malört – Chicago's Infamous Bitter Badge of Honor

Updated → August 2025

Jeppson's Malört is Chicago's legendary wormwood liqueur known for its intensely bitter flavor profile. This 35% ABV spirit has evolved from local curiosity to cultural phenomenon, challenging taste buds and creating unforgettable drinking experiences.

The Chicago Legend

Jeppson's Malört stands as Chicago's most notorious spirit, a wormwood-based liqueur that has transcended its humble origins to become a cultural touchstone. Walk into any Chicago bar worth its salt, and you'll find this pale yellow liquid waiting to test the mettle of newcomers and locals alike. The spirit's reputation precedes it – descriptions range from "like swallowing a burnt rubber tire" to "what regret tastes like," yet Chicagoans wear their ability to stomach it as a badge of honor.

The liqueur's mystique lies not just in its challenging flavor but in what it represents to Chicago culture. In a city known for deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and no-nonsense attitudes, Jeppson's Malört embodies the gritty, authentic spirit of the Windy City. It's become a rite of passage, a conversation starter, and surprisingly, a beloved local institution.

Swedish Roots and American Evolution

The story of Jeppson's Malört begins in Sweden with Carl Jeppson, a Swedish immigrant who arrived in Chicago in the 1920s. Jeppson brought with him a recipe for bäsk brännvin, a traditional Swedish bitter liqueur flavored with wormwood (malört in Swedish). During Prohibition, Jeppson sold his concoction as a medicinal tonic, exploiting a legal loophole that allowed the sale of supposedly therapeutic alcoholic beverages.

The recipe remained largely unchanged when George Brode acquired the rights in the 1930s. Brode's company, Red Horse Liquors, produced the spirit for decades, maintaining its connection to Chicago's Swedish immigrant community while slowly building a broader following. The liqueur's production stayed local, with the Mar-Salle distillery handling production until 1999, when operations moved to Florida briefly before returning to Chicago under CH Distillery in 2018.

The Infamous Taste Profile

Describing the taste of Jeppson's Malört requires creative vocabulary. The initial sip delivers an immediate assault of bitterness that coats the entire mouth. Wormwood provides the dominant flavor – intensely bitter, herbaceous, and medicinal. Behind the wormwood, subtle notes of grapefruit peel, anise, and other botanicals emerge, though they're often overshadowed by the overwhelming bitterness.

The finish is long and persistent, with the bitterness lingering for several minutes. Some describe detecting hints of gasoline, pencil shavings, or burnt hair – though these are likely psychological responses to the intense bitterness rather than actual flavor compounds. The 35% ABV provides a moderate alcohol burn that actually seems mild compared to the bitter assault on the palate.

From Local Secret to Cultural Phenomenon

Jeppson's Malört remained a Chicago insider's drink for decades, primarily consumed by older residents of Swedish descent and adventurous locals. The turning point came in the early 2000s when a new generation of bartenders and drinkers embraced it ironically, then genuinely. Social media amplified the Malört experience, with videos of first-time drinkers' reactions going viral and cementing its reputation as a challenge drink.

The brand's marketing evolved to embrace its notorious reputation. Slogans like "Malört, kick your mouth in the balls" and "Malört, when you need to unfriend someone in person" demonstrate the self-aware humor that has helped transform a niche ethnic liqueur into a phenomenon. Celebrity endorsements from Chicago natives and visits from curious tourists have only increased its profile.

Production Process and Ingredients

The production of Jeppson's Malört follows traditional methods with modern quality control. The base spirit is neutral grain alcohol, which is then infused with wormwood and other botanicals. The exact recipe remains a closely guarded secret, though wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is clearly the star ingredient.

Unlike absinthe, another wormwood-based spirit, Jeppson's Malört contains no anise or fennel to balance the bitterness. The maceration process extracts maximum bitterness from the wormwood, creating the signature flavor profile. After infusion, the spirit is filtered and diluted to 35% ABV before bottling. The pale yellow color comes naturally from the botanical infusion.

Comparing Malört to Other Bitter Liqueurs

While bitter liqueurs like Campari, Fernet-Branca, and Cynar have gained sophisticated reputations, Jeppson's Malört occupies a unique position. Italian amari typically balance their bitterness with sweetness and complex botanical profiles. Fernet-Branca, often cited as intensely bitter, seems approachable compared to Malört's uncompromising wormwood assault.

The closest relatives are Scandinavian bäsk spirits like Bäska Droppar, though even these often include more botanical complexity. Jeppson's Malört stands alone in its single-minded pursuit of bitterness, making it less a sophisticated sipper and more an experiential challenge.

Serving Suggestions and Cocktails

Traditionally, Jeppson's Malört is served neat at room temperature as a shot. Purists insist this is the only proper way to experience its full impact. However, creative bartenders have developed cocktails that harness Malört's bitterness in more approachable ways.

Popular Malört cocktails include the Hard Sell (Malört, lime juice, simple syrup, and soda), which resembles a bitter mojito, and the Chicago Handshake (a shot of Malört paired with an Old Style beer). Some bartenders use it as a bitter modifier in classic cocktails, substituting small amounts for traditional bitters. The key is using Malört sparingly – its intensity can easily overpower other ingredients.

The Malört Face Challenge

The "Malört face" has become an internet phenomenon. First-time drinkers' involuntary facial contortions upon tasting Jeppson's Malört provide endless entertainment. The typical progression involves initial confidence, followed by confusion, disgust, and finally either acceptance or defeat.

This ritual has spawned countless videos, memes, and social media posts. Bars sometimes feature "Malört face" photo walls, and the experience has become a bonding ritual among friends. The challenge aspect has helped drive sales, as people seek to test themselves against Chicago's most notorious spirit.

Bartender Culture and Industry Love

Perhaps surprisingly, Jeppson's Malört enjoys genuine affection within the bartending community. Chicago bartenders often share Malört shots as a shift drink or industry handshake. This acceptance has spread beyond Chicago, with bartenders in other cities keeping bottles as a nod to cocktail culture camaraderie.

The spirit represents authenticity in an industry sometimes criticized for pretension. Ordering Malört signals insider knowledge and willingness to engage with challenging flavors. Many bartenders appreciate customers who can handle Malört, seeing it as a sign of adventurous palates and good humor.

Collecting and Special Editions

While Jeppson's Malört maintains its classic recipe, special editions and vintage bottles have become collectibles. Label variations from different eras command premium prices among enthusiasts. Limited releases, such as barrel-aged versions, sell out quickly despite (or because of) their enhanced intensity.

The brand has also expanded its merchandise, with t-shirts, glassware, and accessories becoming popular souvenirs. This merchandising success reflects Malört's transformation from mere beverage to cultural icon.

Historical Health Claims and Modern Reality

During Prohibition, Jeppson's Malört was marketed for its supposed medicinal properties. Wormwood has a long history in traditional medicine, used for digestive complaints and parasites. These historical uses provided cover for selling alcoholic beverages during Prohibition.

Today, no health claims are made for Malört, and it's sold purely as a beverage alcohol. While some drinkers swear by its digestive properties as an after-dinner drink, these effects likely stem from the bitter compounds stimulating digestive secretions rather than any medicinal properties. As with any alcohol, moderation is key.

Buying Guide and Availability

Once exclusively available in Chicago-area liquor stores, Jeppson's Malört distribution has expanded significantly. While still most common in Illinois, it's now available in select markets across the United States. Online retailers have made it accessible to curious drinkers nationwide, though shipping restrictions vary by state.

When purchasing, look for the distinctive label featuring the chrysanthemum logo. The standard 750ml bottle is most common, though some retailers offer smaller sizes perfect for first-time buyers. Prices typically range from moderate to premium for a specialty liqueur, reflecting its craft status and cultural cachet.

First-Timer Tips and Warnings

For those brave enough to try Jeppson's Malört, preparation is key. Experienced drinkers recommend having a chaser ready – beer, soda, or even water can help. Don't smell it first; the aroma can be off-putting and builds unnecessary anxiety. Take the shot quickly and completely – sipping prolongs the experience.

Mental preparation matters too. Approach Malört with humor and openness rather than fear. Many people find that while the first shot is shocking, subsequent tastes become more tolerable or even enjoyable. The shared experience of trying Malört often creates memorable moments worth the temporary discomfort.

Malört Tourism in Chicago

Malört has become a tourist attraction in its own right. Visitors to Chicago often seek out bars known for their Malört selection or creative Malört cocktails. Some establishments offer Malört flights featuring different expressions, while others host Malört-themed events and tastings.

The CH Distillery, where Jeppson's Malört is now produced, offers tours and tastings that provide insight into the production process. These experiences have become popular additions to Chicago itineraries, combining local history, craft spirits education, and the inevitable Malört face photo opportunity.

The Future of Malört

As Jeppson's Malört continues to grow in popularity, questions arise about maintaining authenticity while expanding. The brand faces the challenge of scaling production without compromising the characteristics that made it famous. Limited edition releases and collaborations suggest innovation within tradition.

The craft spirits movement has created appreciation for challenging flavors, potentially expanding Malört's audience beyond novelty seekers. Young drinkers increasingly value authentic, storied brands over mass-market options. Jeppson's Malört embodies this authenticity, ensuring its place in American drinking culture for generations to come.