CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new way to enjoy experience Jeppson’s Malort has come to Chicagoland, thanks to the locally-based Kooshy Croutons.
Kooshy partnered with CH Distillery, which has produced the wormwood liqueur here in Chicago since 2019, to create a limited release of Malort- and beer-flavored croutons. The idea came from a tradition known as “The Chicago Handshake” — a drink order that calls for one beer and one shot of Malort — Kooshy officials said in a press release.
Although Malort-flavored croutons might not sound like an appetizing idea, the experiment was actually for a good cause: All of the proceeds from the Chicago Handshake Crouton sales benefit the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Kooshy created 200 “cans” of the Chicago Handshake Croutons for its first batch, and co-founder Matt Wachsman said they sold out in 24 hours. The whole deal: $30 for one can, as well as a bag of Kooshy’s regular croutons and some swag from Malort.
In a press release, Kooshy officials wrote that they were trying to create “a flavor unlike anything else on the market today.”
After some brave WBBM staffers tested that theory, it appears the croutons truly lived up to the billing.
"It tastes like some road debris that's been run over on the Kennedy for the last hour," said WBBM's Beau Duran.
“It’s like bug spray,” Rachel Pierson added.
Wachsman said a secret drop of more Chicago Handshake Croutons may be coming soon.
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