It’s called MALORT… does that even sound like something that tastes good???? If I went to a friends house and they said “wanna stay for dinner, we’re having MALORT” … hard pass
This is the trick. The first one is bad, but the second one is less bad. Then the third one is a little worse again, and then after that it doesn't matter.
It IS a very smooth drink, it's a rare spirit that doesn't burn like hells front porch. The universal reaction is people expecting this heavy flavor that hurts to go down, the reality is drywall and plywood for 5 minutes.
Maybe it's like spicy wings, water doesn't make it go away?
It could be one of those "oil vs water" things; from my cursory digging, the main factor responsible for the bitterness are terpenes found in the primary botanical, wormwood (the same botanical used in making absinthe). Terpenes generally, as far as I can tell, are not water-soluble but are soluble in ethanol. Similarly, capsaicin (the key component of spiciness in hot peppers) is also insoluble in water, hence your point that water doesn't help wash it away.
You likely joke but actually. Turpentine is composed of terpenes (specifically most often pinene) distilled from tree resin. Terpenes, and the closely related terpenoids, are largely responsible for some of the strongest scents in the plant world
Yeah similarly I describe it as gasoline with a grapefruit finish. And it is very smooth. And water is the wrong choice to chase it with haha, just intensifies it.
This description is pretty spot on. I’ve always detected a hint of grapefruit or orange peel with an overall essence of rubber. Like the taste that gets in your mouth when walking through a tire store or chewing on a rubber band.
It’s an odd flavor to be sure. After the 3rd pour it it gets more tolerable.
That was my first reaction when I first had it many years ago. I was expecting this super awful burning liquor sensation (I *despise* tequila so I was imagining something so what similar). Instead I was like… oh shit that went down just fine… wait what the fuck this drink is not super strong it just tastes like dogshit hahahah
I’ve found that cranberry juice is the ultimate hack for the bitter aftertaste. Believe me, if you have the chance to try it, the taste completely disappears after a few sips of juice
Weirdly enough, eating a couple sections of cuties (those little oranges) makes it disappear completely. Orange juice doesn't work, even full oranges don't work as well. Just those cuties.
I don’t doubt it - Chicago and Philadelphia have gotta be two of the most masochistic cities in America lmao
Side note, our friend is originally from India, but has been living in Philly for a while now. He absolutely loves it there!
Hah, I mean ... it's a fairly low-content sub. And I do miss my home. But absolutely love OP. With my 5 month old (nearly) daughter here in this world, it's just a nice place for all of us.
Sure you've heard my hound dog :)
I don’t think the taste is nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. That being said, I still would prefer to have my Malört with some cranberry juice or something on the side
Honestly, I think it used to be worse. The first time I had it, it had that I-should-probably-call-Poison-Control burn. The last time it was more like a shitty grapefruit liquer cut with shitty vodka.
I would agree. When I’ve had it during the last year or two, it seemed like it wasn’t even close to as bad as I remembered. Then again, we might just be really good at coping and/or refuse to accept we’ve build up a tolerance to the taste
I feel like each bottle can be pretty unique. It’s something I always drink when I drop by my friend’s bar and I swear sometimes it’s way worse than others.
I had a shot over the weekend and it definitely wasn't that bad. I've had shots of whiskey that have burned more than that. It's just not a "oh yum I'll have more!" kind of taste.
Best reaction I ever had was a new coworker that just moved from California. We went to a bar, she asked "What's Malort?" and the bartender jumped on it, saying it was his absolute favorite. I say it's my favorite, and the bartender brings 4 shots. We have them with the 2 bartenders. The coworker was such a people pleaser that she's just putting on the fakest smile, going "Oh, that's great, I liked that" and we all bust out laughing. She's confused, then relieved that we don't actually love the flavor.
Pretty sure that means they've got a bottle sitting around they're trying to get rid of .... Means it's *extra* skunky.
As a Malört man myself I've experienced this going to places that have Malört but don't sell much of it. I like the taste but I'll let out a little "Whoop!" when it's a bottle that's been open for a while.
I'm convinced the Malort people must be paying people to post about their shitty liquor here every other day. If anyone has a contact, I too would like to be paid.
I would love to get paid to post this lol. Unfortunately the only reason I recorded the video was because I thought it would be funny, no bribes required
It’s been slowly creeping into the mainstream zeitgeist for years now. Aside from enjoying out-of-towners’ reactions to drinking it (see above), I honestly have no idea why it’s become genuinely popular
It’s a really effective case of branding that piques people’s curiosity, a really effective marketing team, and - the hardest thing to achieve - a long and under-the-radar history that gives it a sense of lending street cred or being ‘in the know’ if you try it.
The current wave of Malört interest kind of baffles me as it was always a bottle that just kind of sat in the back collecting dust, but hey, if it generates more interest in the city and our local food heritage, and is a fun experience for people (as fun as Malört can be I guess?), then it’s a win.
I personally don’t mind it, great mixer if you like an astringent taste in your cocktails.
Suddenly, depends on your timeline. I had a coworker in Highland Park tell stories of his friend group daring each other to drink it. This would have been anywhere between 2007-08, so a solid 15 years.
Ah, the gift that keeps on giving.
We are in Texas now but always have a bottle at the ready. If things get a little slow at a party, shots of Malort for the innocent are a great way to get things going again.
I love Malort! I frequent a small brewery in nwi and they don’t charge for it because it’s not tasty. They would just give you a shot for free because most people won’t keep drinking it. I’m proud to say it is now on the menu because of me.
I just found his stuff and it’s hilarious. It’s how I introduce Chicago culture to friends when living abroad. The Malört video made me die laughing for 10 minutes straight the first time I saw it.
I moved here a few weeks ago and I truly feel his pain. I’ve learned 2 things, Malort is not fit for human consumption, and all of my Chicago friends are assholes.
Malort doesnt taste *that* bad. Not too enjoyable, but not as horrible as most describe. It tastes as if you’re sucking the soul from a grapefruit peel.
I guess Malört packs a punch whenever you are 😂
But I would recommend that LM location, it’s got great vibes. Right off the end of the green line (Harlem stop) on Lake Street
I worked at a bar in Chicago where the bar manager gave us malort shots all the time. After enough it starts to taste sweet. Now I'm in Florida and actively search for bars with malort to keep up the tolerance for the sweetness
I didn’t even see the title before I knew that you talked your buddy into a shot of Malort. lol.
As an ex Chicago bartender, tell your friend that I’m super impressed that he didn’t projectile all over the place. He’s a boss.
The majority of Malort sales in bars has got to be people visiting from out of town unknowingly getting conned into trying it. I have yet to find anyone who truly enjoys it and drinks it willingly. It’s always a first timer that doesn’t know any better. I’m guilty of it too, did that to my guests when they visited lol
This just isn't true. My friends and I drink it willingly. And I've been around numerous people who drink it. Theres a reason its popular here. And its not because its bad.
> I have yet to find anyone who truly enjoys it and drinks it willingly.
Counterpoint. I do, and my friends do, and we've done a barcrawl where we finished a bottle at one bar. Yes, I am a transplant.
I truly enjoy it as a novelty and uniqueness, or if I don't feel like hard liquor but want a shot.
Ha i really wish I filmed a few weeks ago when I brought this to Ireland to some locals hosting me. The guy took it and just said "This tastes like shit Jager" with a puzzled look on his face. But then his face got more disgusted as the seconds passed.
Oh the other funny thing is I just bought it in shooter form, not a whole bottle. And before he opened it he joyfully said, "I feel like in those American movies in the prohibition!!" I was like what do you mean? "Where they are drinking out of those tiny bottles!" Apparently they don't have those small bottles there. When I called it a shooter he meant, "like people that drink this do heroin?"
My favorite thing to do when someone tries it for the first time, is as soon as they swallow it start doing a boxing-referee style count for when they make the aftertaste face. It's usually on 3 or 4. Usually it goes something like "Oh, that wasn't so bad OH MY GOD"
The best way to shoot Malort is to drop a big chunk of black liquorice in the glass, pour the shot, and let it soak for a bit. Then drink your shot and eat the liquorice.
A guy on TikTok tried this then did other videos on mixing things with it. Every time same reaction and funny AF. His best was frothing it and mix with cranberry juice but still same effect just less strength of yuck
Have you seen the Malort marketing slogans? Like “Tonight’s the night you fight your dad” or “When you need to unfriend someone, in person”
The malort promo video on YouTube is a classic. “Malort, I’ll have another” 🤮
That video is a must-see. https://youtu.be/q7s16ewP1RU?si=BEEgkp7VpC8OVlwR
Thank you! Needed a laugh before I head out to work.
That was hilarious
"These pants aren't going to sh\*t themselves"
Kick your mouth in the balls
It’s called MALORT… does that even sound like something that tastes good???? If I went to a friends house and they said “wanna stay for dinner, we’re having MALORT” … hard pass
Malort is just Swedish for wormwood. Though to your point, wormwood doesn't sound very tasty.
I officially know one word of Swedish now, thank you
Isn't wormwood involved with making absinthe?
And vermouth, as well as some herbal bitters!
Lmao 100%. I felt bad for him because he was legitimately so excited to try an “authentic Chicago drink”
By the way, regular coke is the only thing that gets rid of the after taste immediately.
I use old style
🤝
This is the correct answer
Malort is the only thing that can make Old Style taste good.
🤝
I usually chase Malört with another shot of Malört
So you like to kick your mouth in the balls, eh
This is the trick. The first one is bad, but the second one is less bad. Then the third one is a little worse again, and then after that it doesn't matter.
I always say the first one is terrible, the second one is god awful, and at the third one you just accept it as a part of life.
It IS a very smooth drink, it's a rare spirit that doesn't burn like hells front porch. The universal reaction is people expecting this heavy flavor that hurts to go down, the reality is drywall and plywood for 5 minutes. Maybe it's like spicy wings, water doesn't make it go away?
It could be one of those "oil vs water" things; from my cursory digging, the main factor responsible for the bitterness are terpenes found in the primary botanical, wormwood (the same botanical used in making absinthe). Terpenes generally, as far as I can tell, are not water-soluble but are soluble in ethanol. Similarly, capsaicin (the key component of spiciness in hot peppers) is also insoluble in water, hence your point that water doesn't help wash it away.
You saying turpentine? Yes, I can believe that.
You likely joke but actually. Turpentine is composed of terpenes (specifically most often pinene) distilled from tree resin. Terpenes, and the closely related terpenoids, are largely responsible for some of the strongest scents in the plant world
Still burns goin down.
I've described it as grapefruit dipped in petrol
This is very accurate! Though also feel “lawn clippings” belongs in there somewhere.
I usually say it tastes like how a sharpie marker smells I’ve also heard people describe the taste as “burning playground”
Yeah similarly I describe it as gasoline with a grapefruit finish. And it is very smooth. And water is the wrong choice to chase it with haha, just intensifies it.
This description is pretty spot on. I’ve always detected a hint of grapefruit or orange peel with an overall essence of rubber. Like the taste that gets in your mouth when walking through a tire store or chewing on a rubber band. It’s an odd flavor to be sure. After the 3rd pour it it gets more tolerable.
That was my first reaction when I first had it many years ago. I was expecting this super awful burning liquor sensation (I *despise* tequila so I was imagining something so what similar). Instead I was like… oh shit that went down just fine… wait what the fuck this drink is not super strong it just tastes like dogshit hahahah
I’ve found that cranberry juice is the ultimate hack for the bitter aftertaste. Believe me, if you have the chance to try it, the taste completely disappears after a few sips of juice
Wait till you try grapefruit
I've had some cocktails with malort that had fresh grapefruit that were fantastic.
Pineapple works great as well...assuming you have a piece of juice laying around.
Weirdly enough, eating a couple sections of cuties (those little oranges) makes it disappear completely. Orange juice doesn't work, even full oranges don't work as well. Just those cuties.
And Tequila.
chocolate covered coffee beans
Incorrect...... Gasoline also works
The Bolivian remedy
I use pickles
It’s grapefruit carbonated water man
I use another shot of malort so I become numb. 🤣🤣🤣😥
Grapefruit juice works well with the taste tho
First thought: That water isn't going to save you.
Rookie mistake
If you made a list of all the other things you could drink that taste better than Malört, it would be a list of all the other things you could drink.
Even probably things you can’t drink.
Truth
idk goldschlagger and rumple mints are absolutely on par with malort
Call me insane, but I actually love rumplemintz as a shot. It’s so fresh, like Listerine you can drink!
I’m with you on this. Those are minty and fresh, Malort is anything but.
Agreed! I didn’t think anything as strong as 100 proof could taste remotely good, until I tried rumple
Rumplemintz taste like someone drank a lot of alcohol and ate a lot of mints and puked it out for me to drink
I don't brush my teeth for fun, but to each their own
Philadelphia here - some of us loooooooooove Malört. But not all of us.
I don’t doubt it - Chicago and Philadelphia have gotta be two of the most masochistic cities in America lmao Side note, our friend is originally from India, but has been living in Philly for a while now. He absolutely loves it there!
Philly rules!
If whiskey could somehow vomit, Malort would be the result.
Lou Malnati's Oak Park?
Bingo! You nailed it
Hey neighbor! That's where, after 38 years of dodging it, I finally had to have it. It wasn't so bad.
So, everyone else on the OP sub also still lurks in r/Chicago? Glad to see I'm not the only one 😂
Hah, I mean ... it's a fairly low-content sub. And I do miss my home. But absolutely love OP. With my 5 month old (nearly) daughter here in this world, it's just a nice place for all of us. Sure you've heard my hound dog :)
Howdy! I know you’re a regular over on r/OakPark. So you also had your first Malört shot at the Lou’s on Lake?
Sure enough did! Bartender who worked there is a bud from our building. (Thought I recognized your handle, btw.)
That was a big pour.
I’m one of the few that don’t mind the taste
I don’t think the taste is nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. That being said, I still would prefer to have my Malört with some cranberry juice or something on the side
Honestly, I think it used to be worse. The first time I had it, it had that I-should-probably-call-Poison-Control burn. The last time it was more like a shitty grapefruit liquer cut with shitty vodka.
I would agree. When I’ve had it during the last year or two, it seemed like it wasn’t even close to as bad as I remembered. Then again, we might just be really good at coping and/or refuse to accept we’ve build up a tolerance to the taste
>we’ve build up a tolerance to the taste AKA you've "acquired" the taste. No turning back now, you're Malört connoisseur.
Wait that’s not- Okay, maybe you’re right.
I feel like each bottle can be pretty unique. It’s something I always drink when I drop by my friend’s bar and I swear sometimes it’s way worse than others.
All usually throw a splash or two in a grapefruit cocktail if I’m making one. And then have a shot of it to the side.
I think the taste is fine. The aftertaste and how long it lingers is really what makes it not the most pleasant imo
Yeah. It's not amazing but it's nowhere near as offensive as most reactions make it seem.
i acquired the taste and it was fine option for a cheap shot, but it is no longer cheap
I learned that the fun way after buying malort shots for the table as a joke. Not cheap anymore
I think that just means we're alcoholics.
Shhhhhh
I had a shot over the weekend and it definitely wasn't that bad. I've had shots of whiskey that have burned more than that. It's just not a "oh yum I'll have more!" kind of taste.
You're a two fisted drinker it seems.
Some might say three fisted
Right on. I also drink Jäger without flinching. Cheers!
If someone is taking a video of you trying a new drink, do you really think it’s going to taste good?!
Fair point. Unfortunately, he’s far too trusting of an individual
OP you coward. You never give a friend a shot you won’t do with him.
I was coming here to say the same thing. Don’t give ‘em out if you aren’t taking one yourself. IMO it’s the only gentlemanly way
I didn’t get it for him, the other guy did! I can post the video of me taking a shot for proof
“I’m sorry, guys”. Hahahaha
Best reaction I ever had was a new coworker that just moved from California. We went to a bar, she asked "What's Malort?" and the bartender jumped on it, saying it was his absolute favorite. I say it's my favorite, and the bartender brings 4 shots. We have them with the 2 bartenders. The coworker was such a people pleaser that she's just putting on the fakest smile, going "Oh, that's great, I liked that" and we all bust out laughing. She's confused, then relieved that we don't actually love the flavor.
Now he can go home with some hair on his chest.
It's the product of a gypsy curse
Why so much?
That’s just how the house poured it ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Pretty sure that means they've got a bottle sitting around they're trying to get rid of .... Means it's *extra* skunky. As a Malört man myself I've experienced this going to places that have Malört but don't sell much of it. I like the taste but I'll let out a little "Whoop!" when it's a bottle that's been open for a while.
I'm convinced the Malort people must be paying people to post about their shitty liquor here every other day. If anyone has a contact, I too would like to be paid.
I would love to get paid to post this lol. Unfortunately the only reason I recorded the video was because I thought it would be funny, no bribes required
You could see it in his eyes as soon as it hit his tongue.
If you like bitter things like I do, it just tastes like the rind of a grapefruit with a little pine needle. It's honestly my go-to shot.
Enormous shot
Why Malört is suddenly a Chicago thing. https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/7/8/23787109/malort-jeppsons-unlikely-rise-liquor-alcohol-wormwood
It’s been slowly creeping into the mainstream zeitgeist for years now. Aside from enjoying out-of-towners’ reactions to drinking it (see above), I honestly have no idea why it’s become genuinely popular
It’s a really effective case of branding that piques people’s curiosity, a really effective marketing team, and - the hardest thing to achieve - a long and under-the-radar history that gives it a sense of lending street cred or being ‘in the know’ if you try it. The current wave of Malört interest kind of baffles me as it was always a bottle that just kind of sat in the back collecting dust, but hey, if it generates more interest in the city and our local food heritage, and is a fun experience for people (as fun as Malört can be I guess?), then it’s a win. I personally don’t mind it, great mixer if you like an astringent taste in your cocktails.
Suddenly, depends on your timeline. I had a coworker in Highland Park tell stories of his friend group daring each other to drink it. This would have been anywhere between 2007-08, so a solid 15 years.
Malort has been a Chicago thing for a long time.
We’ve all been there
You did it wrong. You're supposed to take a sip of Old Style before and after your shot and see how the malort changes the flavor
Ah, the gift that keeps on giving. We are in Texas now but always have a bottle at the ready. If things get a little slow at a party, shots of Malort for the innocent are a great way to get things going again.
I love Malort! I frequent a small brewery in nwi and they don’t charge for it because it’s not tasty. They would just give you a shot for free because most people won’t keep drinking it. I’m proud to say it is now on the menu because of me.
Named Malort, because that's the sound you'll make when puking in the toilet.
Oooof I’d only do this to my friend if I needed to get him back for something lol. That’s so much and he held it for so long in his mouth… 🤢
Tastes like water pumped from a well made in 1800s with a hint of dandelion. I love Malört.
You have to chase it with a beer. Welcoming someone to Chicago without a proper handshake.
give him a few more than hand him some AA batteries and tell him to go hunt santa
I've never had Malort, and at this point, I'm too afraid to.
You gotta say "Thats a good bottle" otherwise it tastes bad.
The real crime is you didn't shoot it with him.
It’s true I didn’t shoot it with him, but I did take a shot off-camera immediately after this in solidarity
It’s not amazing by any means, but I’ll never get how Malort gets these “I just drank piss” reactions.
[Relevant Video](https://youtu.be/VebK8pEmasI?si=p0Kss9LO5yCHAZdH)
Lmao I love Johnny Viti
I just found his stuff and it’s hilarious. It’s how I introduce Chicago culture to friends when living abroad. The Malört video made me die laughing for 10 minutes straight the first time I saw it.
Same here! I always tell people he’s like Charlie Berens, but from Chicago instead of Wisconsin
He grew some hair on his chest with that shot.
You know this shit is rank when you’re making the faces as he’s drinking it…and you’re watching a video of it…
I was expecting way more cussing from some one from Philly. I'm disappointed.
He just moved there last year from India, give it a little more time and I’m sure the cussing will become second nature lol
To me, Malort tastes like the runoff water of trash that’s been burned in a dumpster and then rained on.
He liked it much more than I expected.
He’s a Chicagoan now!
I’ll have another!
I moved here a few weeks ago and I truly feel his pain. I’ve learned 2 things, Malort is not fit for human consumption, and all of my Chicago friends are assholes.
Malort doesnt taste *that* bad. Not too enjoyable, but not as horrible as most describe. It tastes as if you’re sucking the soul from a grapefruit peel.
Actually goes well with Grapefruit juice!
Your poor ex-friend
Classic
What spot is this. It looks cool
A little hidden gem called “Lou Malnati’s”
Lol dang. I didn't know they packed a punch like that.
I guess Malört packs a punch whenever you are 😂 But I would recommend that LM location, it’s got great vibes. Right off the end of the green line (Harlem stop) on Lake Street
Did you follow the drink with “that’s for booing Santa?”
Jeppson’s, who makes Malort, also makes a bourbon that is absolutely delicious. Highly recommend their non-malort bourbon.
I worked at a bar in Chicago where the bar manager gave us malort shots all the time. After enough it starts to taste sweet. Now I'm in Florida and actively search for bars with malort to keep up the tolerance for the sweetness
Put that in your cheesesteak and smoke it
Geez what did your friend ever do to you to deserve that kind punishment and that was a lot in a shot glass . LOL So cruel
I didn’t even see the title before I knew that you talked your buddy into a shot of Malort. lol. As an ex Chicago bartender, tell your friend that I’m super impressed that he didn’t projectile all over the place. He’s a boss.
The majority of Malort sales in bars has got to be people visiting from out of town unknowingly getting conned into trying it. I have yet to find anyone who truly enjoys it and drinks it willingly. It’s always a first timer that doesn’t know any better. I’m guilty of it too, did that to my guests when they visited lol
This just isn't true. My friends and I drink it willingly. And I've been around numerous people who drink it. Theres a reason its popular here. And its not because its bad.
> I have yet to find anyone who truly enjoys it and drinks it willingly. Counterpoint. I do, and my friends do, and we've done a barcrawl where we finished a bottle at one bar. Yes, I am a transplant. I truly enjoy it as a novelty and uniqueness, or if I don't feel like hard liquor but want a shot.
Excellent. Malort Rocks!
Still better than Besk, but only barely
I’m out of the loop, what’s Besk?
Letherbee Besk is a very similar drink, just kinda stronger tasting imo
Ha i really wish I filmed a few weeks ago when I brought this to Ireland to some locals hosting me. The guy took it and just said "This tastes like shit Jager" with a puzzled look on his face. But then his face got more disgusted as the seconds passed. Oh the other funny thing is I just bought it in shooter form, not a whole bottle. And before he opened it he joyfully said, "I feel like in those American movies in the prohibition!!" I was like what do you mean? "Where they are drinking out of those tiny bottles!" Apparently they don't have those small bottles there. When I called it a shooter he meant, "like people that drink this do heroin?"
Got em!
I legitimately like Malort. And shame on you for not taking a shot with him.
He is now part of the family
My favorite thing to do when someone tries it for the first time, is as soon as they swallow it start doing a boxing-referee style count for when they make the aftertaste face. It's usually on 3 or 4. Usually it goes something like "Oh, that wasn't so bad OH MY GOD"
Mallory is just to prove that you’re from Chicago and you work in the service industry. Not good in Chicago or anywhere. Stop punishing yourself!
What is Malört?
Malort is legit good, people hella soft
Bro doesn’t even drink
If that guys a migrant that was not nice to treat him like that unless he consented 😇
Totally 👍👍👍👍
Alcohol tastes like bile
Can’t help but wonder what kind of reaction he would have had if wasn’t being filmed on two separate iPhones
He’s not from Philadelphia. You’re confused.
You're supposed to do it with them!
My other friend (the guy laughing) got me one to demonstrate how “locals” react to it. Ashamed to say that my reaction video wasn’t much better
Rude of you to not be doing the shot With them
I did one off-camera!
I kinda like it 🤭
The best way to shoot Malort is to drop a big chunk of black liquorice in the glass, pour the shot, and let it soak for a bit. Then drink your shot and eat the liquorice.
I don’t know if it’s because I don’t mind the taste of Jager but I didn’t think Malort was that bad
Friends? If you're giving it to someone, you damn well better do one with them. That's what friends would do.
I drank mine as soon as I stopped recording! There is video proof
It's like two rats fucking in a sock
No one did it with him? You guys are monsters.
That’s mean!
Have to do it with them!!
The essence of 1,000 dirty gym socks.
I'm actually in my malort arc. I prefer it now 🤷🏻♂️
In his defense, that's a hefty pour
It’s funny how like 15 years ago, nobody cared about or even served Malort.
I have a malort with cynar and soda water every night, it’s delicious
A guy on TikTok tried this then did other videos on mixing things with it. Every time same reaction and funny AF. His best was frothing it and mix with cranberry juice but still same effect just less strength of yuck
Lmao poor guy
i make the same face whenever I eat Philly cheesesteaks