Chicago is famous for a lot of things: deep-dish debates, stubborn loyalty to sports teams and winters that feel like a personal challenge. Now, two Chicago institutions have officially joined forces to help fans survive the cold and possibly test their resolve in the process.
Saturday night’s Bears vs. Packers game delivered more than an overtime win. It also marked the debut of Levy Restaurants' brand-new concession at Soldier Field, designed to keep fans warm in the most Chicago way possible. That's right, welcome the Malört hot chocolate, a drink that feels less like a beverage and more like a dare.
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At its base, the concoction is comfortingly familiar: rich, classic cocoa meant to take the edge off a frigid game night. Then comes the twist. A splash of Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto transforms the drink into something unmistakably local. Malört, the city’s most polarizing liquor, has long been a rite of passage for Chicagoans, beloved, reviled and endlessly joked about in equal measure. Depending on who you ask, adding it to hot chocolate is either genius or chaos.
The finishing touch comes courtesy of XO Marshmallow, whose salted caramel marshmallows crown the drink with a touch of sweetness. The result is a cup that balances bitter, sweet and boozy notes, mirroring the emotional roller coaster of watching the Bears in December. It’s indulgent, slightly unsettling and undeniably on brand.
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This isn’t just about adding a novelty item to the concessions menu. It’s about embracing Chicago’s quirks and leaning into them. There’s something deeply local about turning a bitter spirit and brutal weather into a communal moment, transforming a freezing night into something worth savoring. Even an NFL rivalry as intense as Bears versus Packers gets softened, just slightly, by a warm cup in your hands.
So how did it go over? "Certainly wakes you up," one Instagram user said. "Diabolical," an X user wrote. Sounds about right.
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For anyone at Soldier Field this season, sipping on a Chicago-style hot chocolate isn't merely about staying warm; this is a chance to bond over two beloved (and occasionally infuriating) institutions simultaneously. If you’re curious about what makes a Chicago winter at a Bears game more than just cold and loud, this hot chocolate might be the city’s latest answer. It’s a sip of Chicago pride and edge-of-your-seat football all in one.
According to WGN, the Malört hot chocolate is available at the Loop Landing area behind section 144.