I personally don’t mind Malört. The Chicago hazing ritual isn’t that nasty — but Pope-Malört Mememania has gotten out of hand. It’s time to focus on some other, non-Malört spirits born here in Chicago.
Cohasset Punch
Cohasset Punch is at once historic and brand new. Although named for a Massachusetts beach town, the rum punch blend was created in Chicago in 1899 and bottled here until 1986. Now, after nearly four decades off the market, Cohasset Punch is back at Binny’s and select bars throughout Illinois.
Koval
Founded in 2008, Koval prides itself of being the first distillery to open in Chicago since the mid-1800s. A tasting room in Ravenswood opened in 2021. Koval makes whiskey, gin, and a few sweeter liquors — I’m partial to their Cranberry Gin Liqueur.
Letherbee Distillers
What started as basement-brewed moonshine — “Illinois Joy” — eventually became Letherbee Distillers. With a focus on infusing botanicals, Letherbee makes gin, absinthe, fernet, and bësk, an uncommon Swedish liqueur. Like Malört, it’s heavy on the wormwood 🪱
Bottles of De le Costa Sangria for sale at Costco. (Courtesy of Louis Glunz Wines)
De la Costa Sangria
Established in Chicago in 1888, Louis Glunz Wines is one the Midwest’s oldest wine distributors. It’s remained family-owned all that time. More recently, Glunz began making and selling their own product, De le Costa Sangria, which you can find (in cans or bottles) at Binny’s, Costco, and Jewel — and at the House of Glunz in Old Town.
FEW Spirits
A distillery in Evanston seems ironic if you know your history. The neighboring suburb was a dry town long before national prohibition — and long after. Alcohol was not bought or sold (legally) in Evanston from 1858 to 1973. In that spirit, no pun intended, FEW Spirits plays up the bootlegging vibe with its back-alley location. It makes whiskey and gin.
CH Distillery
After being manufactured in Florida for a while, Jeppson’s Malört was acquired by Chicago-based CH Distillery in 2018. But Malört isn’t all that’s on tap from CH Distillery: The company churns out vodka, including a peppercorn one I really want to try, gin, a bottled espresso martini, and Jeppson’s whiskey.
