"Deep-dish pizza and hot dogs dragged through the garden have long defined Chicago's culinary reputation, but in the past 15 years, an infamous, wormwood-based liqueur has claimed a spot in the city's pantheon. Love it or hate it, Jeppson's Malört is now a rite of passage for locals and a bitter novelty for out-of-towners. What started as a prank shot has since morphed into a near-cult obsession."
"That surge in popularity hasn't escaped brands, either. More and more, we're seeing Malört-flavored foods being offered by businesses looking to generate buzz. The latest: New York-based ice cream chain Van Leeuwen, which will open its first Chicago location at 1555 N. Damen Avenue in Wicker Park on Friday, September 12. Looking to ingratiate itself with the community, the company is rolling out a limited-time Malört flavor."
"In my estimation, there aren't many ways to make Malört palatable, and Van Leeuwen made no attempts to soften its edge. My initial lick hit me with the signature bitterness, so sharp that detecting any other notes was nearly impossible. Every taste that followed delivered the same overwhelming bite. I had my ice cream in a waffle cone, and the only other flavor I could pick up was the cone's sweetness."
Jeppson's Malört, a wormwood-based liqueur, has become a Chicago rite of passage and a bitter novelty for visitors. Malört's surge in popularity has prompted businesses to offer Malört-flavored foods. New York-based ice cream chain Van Leeuwen will open its first Chicago shop in Wicker Park and is launching a limited-time Malört flavor. The Malört ice cream preserves the spirit's signature, sharp bitterness with minimal additional notes; the waffle-cone sweetness was the only other discernible flavor. The offering appears intentionally unsoftened and will likely appeal mainly to Malört aficionados, while others are advised to sample before committing to a scoop.
Read at Eater Chicago
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