3 Malört Cocktails that are Actually DELICIOUS

[@CocktailChemistry]

Here's where I got this wonderful elixir: internetwines.com/products/jeppson-s-malort

[@danielkivler3196]

This would be an awesome series, making something good out of “bottom shelf” or less than great ingredients.

[@davidgarciagonzalez4838]

if you want a challenge with a "bad" liquor, just try Tonayan.

[@robynuwu1631]

I'm just more impressed you've managed to get Four Pillars! Amazing Australian gin

[@masterblasterT47]

You have totally misunderstood the meaning of Malört,it's not supposed to be enjoyed it's supposed to be conquered.

[@NB-gu9rs]

Haha, I must be the Second Coming, then, because there's nothing I don't like about it. You think the wormwood is your enemy? You merely adopted the bark. I was born in it, molded by it.

[@Arat1t1]

I've never tried Malört, but I do love the Swedish original version Bäska Droppar (literally Bitter Drops). It's usually the one schnapps people fear, but that just leaves more for me.

[@lionelhutz4046]

@@Arat1t1 Really? Bäska Droppar has been a staple on every holiday herring table I’ve attended and it’s not bad enough to induce that kind of face. I take it the yanks amped up the bitterness?

[@TheSittinDuk]

@@lionelhutz4046 Jeppson's is milder than swedish Bäska Droppar. Still good though, and a proper bäsk.

[@Barprints]

I feel the same about Fernet Branca

[@CBurn]

I stand by my opinion that Malört is one of those things that nobody actually likes, but because they were tricked into trying it somehow it becomes necessary to trick as many additional people into trying it so that Jeppson doesn't steal their soul. Sort of like The Ring in terrible liquor form.

[@bradleyfirby648]

You mean like sambuca?

[@Matarro1980]

Yep, that's a valid theory. On the other hand, I'm actually starting to not hate Bäska Droppar which is a swedish spirit that should be comparable to Malört. Granted that I've never tried Malört so it may well be worse but it shouldn't really be that much more bitter. I suspect my taste buds are becoming less sensitive with age, soon I'll be an old fart who enjoys these things!

[@TheSittinDuk]

@@Matarro1980 I definitely like it for what it is, and I do enjoy Bäska Droppar as well. The Chicago stuff is a bit milder but still definitely a genuine bäsk.

[@VirginiaRThomas]

Umm I like it, kind of a lot. I have a malört hoodie, I sell it to folks at my bar....I even had a malört zoom during quarantine (#malörtoclock)

[@CBurn]

@@VirginiaRThomas who hurt you?

[@thehutch7728]

“It’s pretty good!” is juuuuuust not selling it for me. Lol

[@g00fysmiley]

When the best thing you can say is it muted the awfulness some 😀 the question is did the .alort add anything to the cocktail or just make the malort slightly more pallitable

[@Barprints]

Lost me at the "urinie like hue"😖

[@ethanmaede3220]

It tastes like earwax. And that's coming from a guy that actually likes Malort.

[@ethanmaede3220]

I'm having my going away party to move back to Chicago from LA. I'm having all my friends try Malort.

[@theoneinthemiddle5553]

I think he meant comparatively to the plain drink itself lol

[@ericmathis4309]

So, my friend and I were messing around in my kitchen the other night, and came up with a concoction of 150ml Malört, 12 oz Radler, and a splash of grenadine. I said it was like a cross between a bitter end and a sex on the beach, so they suggested the very Chicago title of the “Sex on the Red Line.”

[@robloxkrazy621]

HA! Excellent title, I might try this

[@SpencerThayer]

Or just drink Malört straight with a PBR chaser as God intended.

[@g00fysmiley]

There it is, proof that there is no God 😉

[@themapmaker13]

Malort and Oldstyle: the Chicago Handshake

[@VirginiaRThomas]

Yes but it would be better with an Old Style.

[@Barprints]

Ok, I know what I gotta look out for when I go to Chicago. I'm really curious about this stuff now!

[@ethanmaede3220]

Its called a Chicago handshake.

[@SgtCookie111]

Not gonna lie, I only saw the title out the corner of my eye and thought it said _Molotov_ cocktail and thought "Good lord, what's got him so angry?"

[@puppetstring55]

The malort special! I've waited so long for this! Personally I prefer it straight up, warm, and after a long day to remind myself it can be worse and there is always a rock bottom and it taste like malort

[@rezalustig6773]

Give Greek retsina wine a try: it’s another “acquired taste” that almost everyone seems to hate, but I actually find very bracing and food-friendly.

[@babylonbroken]

Retsina is gorgeous! Particularly good with greek fatty lamb dishes!

[@rezalustig6773]

@@babylonbroken I’ve had it with gyro platter and seafood orzo before, and it paired nicely with both.

[@doctorx0079]

I think Arthur Dent had a bottle of that in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

[@Barprints]

Never heard of that one before. Glad I clicked on this video. Lots of new stuff to try!

[@Rose-jz6sx]

Omg I love retsina! They have oregano flavoured crisps (chips) in Greece and they are just perrrrfect with chilled retsina!

[@HisVirusness]

It's really not as bad as everyone thinks it is. Then again, I'm from Chicago; it's against the law to say anything different.

[@SpencerThayer]

I’m a little surprised he didn’t try a Chicago handshake.

[@realdeal9876]

Ahhh Malort. One of those drinks you give to your buddy who's in town from another state. "Hey, check this out! It's a Chicago classic, trust me!" while immediately pulling out your phone to start recording their reaction.

[@oOEmberOo]

My local watering hole gives your first shot of Malort free. The only catch is they snap your pic when you down it and they have 1,000s of little Polaroids of Malort faces posted to their wall. 1,000s. It's great!

[@realdeal9876]

@@oOEmberOo clans at the bristol ren faire use it as initiation

[@apefu]

As a Swedish fan of Malört, or as the swedish variants are called - Besk(a) (bitter(s)) I feel inclined to mention that when you drink it straight it is usally served cold, or even chilled in fridge. It is, however, an acquired taste even over here. Sadly, Besk has fallen out of fashion in favour of much milder versions of schnaps.

[@Algardraug]

Piratens Besk!

[@Barprints]

I'm not sure if I'm intrigued by this liqueur or afraid of it! 😂

[@BR4IN1N4J4R]

There was a "challenge shot" using this when I was growing up called a "War Crime," where you let a handful of warheads candies just sit and dissolve into the Malort. Didn't try it myself, but considering the faces my friends made, that stuff had some bad mojo

[@Barprints]

Never ever heard of Malort till this! Cheers for that!

[@colorfulcocktails4061]

Same! Always got cocktail knowledge from the video.

[@MrMoney331]

Yesssss! I actually kind of have grown to like Malort. I am from Chicago. Haha. But had not yet found a cocktail to put it on. So I will for sure be making these 3!

[@lolatu4402]

I just had my first shot of Malort last night. I actually like it! I liked it enough to order another. The bar doesn't even charge for the shots. They were like, if you can take it, we'll give it to you free. Lol

[@harrisonlee9585]

I initially read that as "merlot" and couldn't stop thinking about Paul Giamatti in Sideways.

[@doctorx0079]

Uhh Merlot

[@xtrnisse]

It's Swedish... Pronounced something like Maaaaluuurrthhh. Kinda.

[@DavidLarson15]

I've drunkenly been in bars before with merlot on special and asked for a malort. Disappointment every time.

[@wille4884]

Was in Chicago last week for the first time and was fooled into this Chicago tradition. My face was stuck for an hour!

[@Bjurvild]

Bro, nice. Next step is to get a bottle of Bäska Droppar, you know, to go full circle Swedish 🇸🇪

[@ebbarut]

#howtokillanamericanbartender 😂

[@thomasfrederiksendk]

Add in Danish Porsesnaps and Finnish Salmiakki. I wonder what Norway could add to actually kill him with Scandinavian spirits?

[@axelpalson2178]

Or a bottle of gammeldansk

[@xtrnisse]

@@thomasfrederiksendk Definitely Løitens!

[@johnnydove]

it's the greatest thing ever because it not only continues to get worse after you've drank it, but nothing you can put in your mouth helps make it go away. it just overpowers everything and it's amazing. it tastes horrible sure, but you have to admire it for how it performs

[@blinkyblankyblunky]

I made a clarified green tea milk punch, using Malort instead of chartreuse. It was very good.

[@hhdhpublic]

This gave me an idea for a podcast! Five people, host and four quests, and a bottle of Malört. The Malört has to be drunk during the interview and the host keeps pushing the others to take just a bit more :)

[@pandalorehub]

That last one sounds amazing and right up my alley

[@akamiguelsanchez9985]

The sickest I’ve ever been was after a uni party where me and this exchange student from Maine created a malort and walnut wine ‘cocktail’ because we ran out of booze. Worst four days of my life trying to recover mentally and physically

[@kylerozek8411]

Just tried The Bitter End. I really like it. Grapefruit bomb for sure, may benefit from a bit of simple to sweeten it for those who need it.

[@Mobri]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that keeps St. Germaine and Fever Tree ginger beer handy because they're too easy to make delicious cocktails with!

[@aliciabueche1985]

We love Malort! Sother Teague’s book mentions the Malori-equal parts Campari and Malort. It’s delicious!

[@johanlenox]

If you like Malort esp in cocktails you should get into Cappelletti Amaro Alta Verde which has a very similar profile and still very bitter but just a bit more balanced

[@johanlenox]

After getting really into Alta Verde I like malort pretty decently now too despite its lack of subtlety lol

[@Leonisdarko]

Seen Cowchop enough to know I’ll probably not 😂😂😂

[@moortak]

I worked up a Mallort cocktail last year that was a hit. I don't have my recipe on hand for proportions, but it was forgiving. Mallort, limoncello, a dash of saline, and some soda water. It dials back the bitterness, but keeps the interesting herbal notes.

[@stephankleinmann32]

As an Austrian I am so proud that you use an Austrian Radler for your cocktail. I'll try the last recipe btw really nice video.

[@markdurham5062]

My roommate in the Army bought a bought back a bottle of Malört from leave in Chicago. Still have flashbacks from it.

[@Razmatini]

i moved to Chicago for college. needless to say, i love this episode!

[@chauncymarlowe3710]

so happy to see this

[@tompetrocelli8787]

That was so good. I actually like Malort and need to try these cocktails.

[@jonmagnusson6399]

Hahahaha my Grandfather used to make his own Malört and it was green instead of yellow :) :) :) it made your toes curl up when you drank it !!

[@SpencerThayer]

Recipe?

[@jonmagnusson6399]

@@SpencerThayer Well he picket a twig of wormwood and picked the buds, rosted them and then dried the rest of the twig, then put it all in a bottle with some 37% swedish vodka called Renat And viola after 2 weeks filter the spirits and its done. But the twist is leaving it for a year makes it green instead of yellow and wayyyyy more bitter ;)

[@uauser-ez5ye8mf4m]

Yes, we need more this kind of specific cocktails... You know... channel named Cocktail Chemistry need to be more for unusual drinks, not for bartender lessons for party. Great job

[@doctorx0079]

"bartender lessons for party" i.e. Tipsy 😕

[@RayvenTheGM]

My Wisconsin relatives 'love' blackberry brandy - but outsiders say it kind of ruins both things. Sort of the thing you 'help' an older relative finish before you can move on to the beer.

[@xxOS1R1Sxx]

I LOVE Malort! So interested in these cocktails

[@davidmullins1191]

I love Malort, wasn’t that bad the first time I tried it and now I love giving it to others and standing tall as others crumble to the taste, nothing better for the ego

[@josealbertoambit7979]

Thanks for your sacrifice

[@HayTatsuko]

You already won me over with "Take Five" as the intro music.

[@jadestephens6464]

I'm going to have to try number two

[@christophleimer7679]

I live about 50 miles from the stiegl brewery in austria. My hometown is Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee. Look it up. And i have no idea how on earth you got a Radler from them. 😅😂 but nice to see. 😅

[@hassenfepher]

We have a lot of kava bars down here in FL. And today I heard kava described as "an acquired taste. That no one really ever aqquires" malort is maybe like that.

[@Antonbergman666]

You need to look up the proper pronunciation sir 😂 The OG Swedish brand of malört is called ”Bäska Droppar” (Bitter Drops), check it out! Also we rarely drink this in cocktails, usually taken as an apertif after a song during a dinner party or midsummer celebration.

[@CocktailChemistry]

I knew the Swedes would come for me on this one!

[@Antonbergman666]

@@CocktailChemistry You did good tho! Def not an easy cocktail ingredient!

[@andli]

Yes all Swedes eventually turn to Bäska Droppar as they age. Or they die young.

[@HDefectus]

I would contest that. Piratens besk is the one to get!

[@Domitianvs]

Ah, for the love of midsommar, just go out and gather your wormwood and make your own besk, for fucks sake! You are all making me embarrassed to be Swedish!

[@Eigonme]

I've seen too many youtube videos about this liquor, but i dont know if i ever get to taste it as an Northern european. (They dont sell it in my country, and ordering alcohol out of Eu to Finland is kinda hard process)

[@Eigonme]

and yeah i know i can get Bäsk from Sweden, but i wanna taste exactly this brand.

[@danielnerviani6974]

it tastes like rubber cement crossed with sunscreen

[@TheSittinDuk]

@@Eigonme Yeah, the way I got hold of a few bottles was by visiting Chicago. Well worth it! It's actually a very pleasant bäsk.

[@skandarc2810]

I can’t do it lol. But thanks for putting yourself through that 😜

[@tylerschmidt332]

The chicago handshake, or a tallboy of old style and a shot of malört is a great/ awful chicago tradition I can only do on my birthdays

[@SpencerThayer]

Finally, someone mentions the handshake.

[@t17389z]

I need another bottle, I've already finished 2.

[@batt3ryac1d]

I really like Fever tree's indian tonic it makes a nice G&T

[@doctorx0079]

Fever-Tree is great but sometimes I prefer Q because it's drier

[@premiershit9924]

In Sweden there is a student tradition to drink 23cl of bäska droppar, which is the same kind of liqueur, the next party you attend after turning 23.

[@gxtmfa]

It’s good with plum wine!

[@metalually]

Malört is the Swedish word for the herb Artemisia absinthium (yes the same one used in absinthe) Love your videos! Even though your pronunciation for Malört is very off. As a suede it was painful :) If anyone is interested how to pronounce it: mal-eart (like earth without the h) (/²mɑːlˌœrt/)

[@jasondworkin6597]

I finally made a Hard Cell. It was really good, though that much Elderflower Liqueur makes anything great. I tried to Scandinavia it up by replacing the gin with aquavit and it didn’t really work. As an aside swapping gin for aquavit in a Negroni is fantastic.

[@andrewwinson5866]

I actually do like Malort, but it IS a real “sometimes” drink. 😅

[@Adam-tu1qx]

You look like the type of person to enjoy Malort

[@andrewwinson5866]

@@Adam-tu1qx 🤷‍♂️

[@nihlify]

I'm also one of the few that enjoys it. It's great since you often get all the small bottles when you're out.

[@273degrees]

LoL. The coffee transition made me think that you were about make a malort coffee drink.

[@273degrees]

Pernod

[@ChicagoTechGuy]

I always keep a bottle of it as a Chicagoan, that’s a requirement, I drink a shot of it when I feel sickness come on. Grows hair on the chest, and after a shot of it, you will transform into Mike Ditka! Daaaa Malort!

[@tommyz3779]

Malort is popular here in Chicago because we inflict on newcomers to share the pain. Its a bonding experience.

[@Call-me-Al]

Mugwort is really great in kusa mochi.

[@zachruetz8779]

I want to try it!!

[@bankoofer]

Hi, I was especially intrigued by the first cocktail you made. Might try it out soon. Also, I am a Swede, and "Malört" is pronounced a little bit different from how you go at it. The "ö" is pronounced sinilarly to hoe you would pronounce the "eu" bit in the french word "bleu", "ö" is its own letter and vowel in Sweden, not an "O" with a diaeresis over it, although it does look exactly the same.

[@klausmeier2021]

Fun fact: In Danish - which is quite close to Swedish - Malört is almost a portmanteau of the words "wormwood" (malurt) and "shit" (lort).

[@pekkades9750]

I feel like "bottom shelf" tequila or such could be an interesting episode. I would assume many of us have received liqueurs as presents from friends or family who didn't see any need to spend money on the good stuff. I had such an awful bottle of tequila that it could only be used in a tequila slammer with the most potent ginger beer I could find. Cocktails guys know to go for the highballs, but it could be good info for the general public :)

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I never heard of ginger beer, I gotta try that one

[@boozeontherocks]

You made Malort tasty. Awesome!

[@TWRoyalhawk345]

Surprised you didn't try the quintessential Malört mixed drink, the Chicago Handshake. Instructions: 1. Drop a shot of Malört into a glass of Old Style. 2. Drink it.

[@andrews4321]

The "bitter end" cocktail is pretty good if you enjoy grapefruit. I usually make it without the grapefruit juice, but I guess that would be a boilermaker instead of a cocktail.

[@Rose-jz6sx]

Do you swap it out for a different juice or just omit it entirely? Cuz radlers come in so many flavours I'd imagine you could do a few variations

[@ihak707]

Malört is literally Swedish for wormwood, if you didn't know

[@TheCsel]

I don't think Malort is as bad as people make it out to be. It reminds me a lot of Campari, but less sweet and the bitter aftertaste REALLY lingers in your mouth.

[@Hunterphotographic]

Best way to describe Malort (or Elisir Novasalus for that matter) - it's like someone vulcanized your tongue. It's the literal flavor of a tire burnout. And after taste lasts for 30-40 minutes. Meanwhile, your mouth turns into a waterfall of salivation.

[@WeightlessBallast]

As a friend of Bäska Droppar, I'd say that there are two things "wrong" with JM: it is a liqueur, i.e. contains sugar, and it's only 35% ABV if I understood right. Sugar tries to mask the bitterness, which it cannot do, it only buries the fine aromas of Artemisia absinthium.

[@paskap_2599]

Could you maybe make a Video about/with the german spirit/schnapps called "Korn"? It is a wheat based spirit is similar to vodka and has around 30 to 40% alcohol. It is not really neutral as vodka is and sometimes has a strong taste so it is kinda difficult to use in cocktails (other than Cola-Korn or Fantako which is Fanta with Korn for the first one you can guess which ingrediens are needed). Thx in advance.

[@estbeta]

What espresso machine didyou get? It’s gorgeous

[@CocktailChemistry]

Profitec 500

[@JulianDestroya]

The first time I had Mallört was in a Rugby tournament in Chicago. Wasn't good but wasn't the worst: all the teams reveled as I knocked back 3 shots in a row. That said, I wish I had known about these mixers back then.

[@JohnsDrams]

Truly, the stuff of nightmares.

[@animula6908]

I have a feeling I won’t even be able to get this in my little Wild West town, but in this case im not sad

[@jobyjob]

I have heard of the Malort and radler combo referred to as the "Betty White" and I refuse to call it anything else

[@TomZarycki]

Grapefruit screwdriver with a shot of malört and a splash of worcestershire. I called it The Chicago Screwjob

[@doctorx0079]

OMG Nick is actually taking on Malört 😆

[@frankywise911]

Can you take on Baijiu? I have a bottle and I'm not sure what to do with it. It actually smell really good, but it doesn't taste that great to me. I'm not sure what cocktail would it work well with. Thanks

[@kiwi_commander]

Excellent, now I know what to do with Malort rather than just having friends over and doing shots.

[@b3ans4eva]

That coffee machine is worth more than the entire contents of my kitchen.

[@mikeshardreviews4154]

I didn’t think it was possible to make Malort palatable. I’m glad to see I was wrong.

[@ids_ej]

Visit a Swedish midsummer fest and you will taste things that make Malört taste like water.

[@xXxSpeshulKxXx]

Where do you get those open-bottom bottles for your simple syrup? I've been looking everywhere for them!

[@babylonbroken]

those expressions. Still laughing.

[@Zylork0122]

Give baijiu a try. It’s the world’s best selling liquor. Well, despite the fact there’s only one liquor store chain in IL that sells Ming River baijiu.

[@matthewfisher7108]

Have you thought about making cocktails using Everclear? If there are any, anyway

[@danielwalbright2399]

I’ve seen almost zero reputable sambuca cocktails. Would love to see you take it on!

[@gonzoducks8]

They drink this on the Heidi & Frank show on 95.5 KLOS 😆

[@Svenskadoktorn]

I'm Swedish so I had to like this video.

[@martine7456]

The first time the guys from our Chicago office came to Australia (Head office) they brought a bottle of this. I don't remember the taste but do remember how awful it was.

[@cracgor]

Need to to one on black balsalm

[@MVPanda50]

Liquid rubberbands!

[@hollandmcrae]

My neighbor just got a bottle so this is gonna have to happen soon!

[@SanTM]

You're a brave man...

[@matt12th]

Definetely dig the controversial spirits angle, great video!

[@dio52]

Hoo boy... I really hope that Baratza Encore is just a temporary stop-gap while your espresso grinder is being shipped.

[@CocktailChemistry]

Niche zero arrives next month!

[@JCSEGSProductions]

Everyone wants to rip on Malort until you need a cocktail that can also strip paint from your car.