Why Jeppson's Malört is the Conversation Starter for Your Fall Gatherings

A Different Spirit for Your Fall Gatherings

As the air gets crisp and leaves start to turn, our glasses usually fill with pumpkin spice, apple cider, and dark whiskeys. But what if you’re looking for something different? Something that will start a conversation and challenge your palate at your next football tailgate or Thanksgiving get-together. It's time to talk about Jeppson's Malört.

This is not your average liqueur. From Chicago, this liqueur is defined by its intensely bitter flavor and is considered a rite of passage for many drinkers in the city. It’s a spirit with a story and a distinct taste. This fall, it’s a way to liven up any gathering.

What Exactly Is Jeppson's Malört?

Jeppson's Malört is a traditional Swedish-style bäsk, a type of brännvin (a distilled spirit) flavored with botanicals. The key ingredient, and the source of its defining bitterness, is wormwood. In fact, “malört” is the Swedish word for wormwood.

The story begins with Carl Jeppson, a Swedish immigrant who created the liqueur in Chicago during the 1920s. During Prohibition, the spirit was sold door-to-door as a medicinal product to get around alcohol restrictions. While we can't speak to its historical health properties, its reputation was cemented.

For decades, it remained a Chicago curiosity. In 2018, CH Distillery acquired the brand and now produces the spirit in the city's Pilsen neighborhood. It was awarded a Silver Medal at the 2005 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Tasting Notes: An Unmistakably Bitter Profile

The flavor of Jeppson's Malört is characterized by an immediate and intense bitterness. Behind the dominant wormwood, some drinkers find other notes that create a complex spirit.

Here are some common tasting notes:

• Nose: Bäsk liqueurs typically have an herbal and botanical aroma.
• Palate: An intense bitterness from the wormwood is the primary flavor. Some also find notes of grapefruit peel and anise.
• Finish: Long, persistent, and intensely bitter.

How to Serve Jeppson's Malört This Season

Drinking Malört is an experience, and there are a few established ways to approach it. From a simple shot to a clever cocktail ingredient, here’s how to introduce it to your friends this fall.

The Classic: A Chilled Shot or the 'Chicago Handshake'

The most common way to drink Malört is as a chilled shot. It’s a quick, intense experience that can warm you up on a cool November night. For the full Chicago experience, try a “Chicago Handshake”: a shot of Malört followed by a cold beer. This pairing is a good fit for a tailgate.

The Bitter Orchard

This simple highball leans into the season, using apple cider to soften Malört’s bitter edge. It’s a refreshing and approachable way to mix with the spirit.

• 1 oz Jeppson's Malört
• 3 oz Fresh apple cider
• 0.5 oz Lemon juice

Build the drink in a highball glass filled with ice.

Add Malört and lemon juice, then top with apple cider.

Stir gently to combine.

Garnish with a thin apple slice or a lemon wheel.

The Chicago Negroni

For those who already enjoy bitter cocktails, substituting Malört for Campari in a Negroni is a fitting variation. It creates a drier, more intensely herbal version of the cocktail.

• 1 oz Jeppson's Malört
• 1 oz Gin
• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Add all ingredients to a mixing glass filled with ice.

Stir until well-chilled, about 20-30 seconds.

Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.

Garnish with an orange peel.

The Conversation Starter for Your Next Gathering

More than just a drink, Jeppson's Malört can be an event. Pouring a round of shots at a party or tailgate often gets a reaction. For many, it's a shared experience and a story to tell later.

Instead of another predictable six-pack, bring a bottle of Malört. It’s a way to break the ice and add a memorable twist to your fall traditions. Always remember to enjoy it responsibly.

Finding Jeppson's Malört in North Carolina

Ready to try it? This Chicago icon is available right here in North Carolina. You may find it on shelves at ABC boards in Wake County, Mecklenburg County, Orange County, Rowan/Kannapolis, New Hanover County, and Onslow County, among others. As inventory can change, it's a good idea to check with your local ABC store. If they don't have it in stock, they can order a bottle for you.