Best Chicago Alcoholic Beverage Types
MAIN INGREDIENTS
New York Sour is an American cocktail made with a combination of whiskey, sugar syrup, lemon juice, and dry red wine. In order to prepare it, all ingredients except wine are shaken with ice, then strained into a rocks glass and topped with wine.
Contrary to its name, the cocktail was actually invented in Chicago. Originally, it was known as Continental Sour and Southern Whiskey Sour before the name was changed to New York Sour. The first handwritten mention of the cocktail can be found in a Toronto saloon’s drink list from 1856, and a few years later, in 1862, the cocktail appeared in written form in Jerry Thomas’ The Bon-Vivant’s Companion.
Malört is a bitter, wormwood-based liqueur that was created in the 1930s by a Swedish immigrant Carl Jeppson. The drink was first introduced in Chicago, and although it is now produced in Florida, it is still mainly associated with its place of origin, and it can rarely be found elsewhere in the United States.
Malört, which is a Swedish word for wormwood, was modeled on Swedish beskbrännvin – a liquor distilled from potatoes or grains that was often infused with wormwood. The drink is characterized by its sharp flavor and a long, bitter aftertaste.
Paper Plane is a popular American cocktail that combines equal parts bourbon, amaro Nonino, Aperol, and fresh lemon juice. All the ingredients are shaken with ice, and the mixture is strained into a chilled coupe glass. Paper Plane is often classified as a modern classic.
Although it is now featured on many cocktail menus, it is a relatively recent invention, introduced in 2008. The cocktail was created by Sam Ross, the co-owner of Attaboy and Diamond Reef in New York City. Ross first presented the cocktail for the inauguration of The Violet Hour bar in Chicago.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Cohasset Punch is an American cocktail originally made with a combination of dark rum, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, canned peach syrup, and a few dashes of orange bitters, while modern interpretation also includes Grand Marnier. In order to prepare it, half of a canned peach is first placed in the bottom of a cocktail glass, which is then halfway filled with shaved ice.
All the liquid ingredients are then shaken with ice, and strained into the glass. The drink was supposedly invented for an actor named William H. Crane by a Chicago bartender Lewis Williams in 1899, but almost dissapeared by the late 1980s. It has recently been revived and rebranded as one of Chicago's classic drinks, and even started being bottled and sold by local companies such as G.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Chicago Cocktail is a classic after-dinner drink made with a combination of brandy, champagne, Angostura bitters, and triple sec. To prepare it, brandy, bitters, and triple sec are mixed with ice, stirred, then strained into a glass and topped with champagne.
The cocktail glass can be garnished with a sugared rim, if desired. Despite the name of this cocktail, it is still unknown whether it was invented in Chicago, Nice, or London.
Best Chicago Alcoholic Beverage Producers
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024, 2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Double Gold
2023, 2021
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
Revolution Brewing is the largest independently owned craft brewery in Illinois, based in Chicago. Founded in 2010, it has quickly gained a reputation as one of the most innovative beer producers in the region. Their portfolio features a wide variety of beer styles, including IPAs, lagers, porters, stouts, as well as seasonal and experimental brews.
For craft beer enthusiasts visiting Chicago, a trip to the Revolution Brewpub offers the chance to enjoy freshly brewed beer in a welcoming atmosphere. The brewery also offers tours and tastings.
AWARDS
European Beer Star - Gold
2021
Untappd - 4.5
Untappd - 4.6
BEST Revolution Brewing Beers
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2023
World Beer Cup - Gold
2023
BEST Horse Thief Hollow Brewing Co. Beers
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
BEST Maplewood Brewery & Distillery Spirits
AWARDS
Untappd - 4.5
Untappd - 4.6
BEST Goose Island Beer Co. Beers
Best Chicago Alcoholic Beverages
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2023
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold trophy
2020
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2023
World Beer Cup - Gold
2023
AWARDS
IWSC- International wine & spirit competition - Spirit Gold Outstanding
2021
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
SFWSC - San Francisco World Spirits Competition - Double Gold
2024
AWARDS
ISC-International Spirits Challenge - Gold
2024
AWARDS
Great American Beer Festival - Gold
2022
AWARDS
Untappd - 4.5
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