More Than 1,000 People Took a Malört Shot Together and Chicago Landed a Guinness World Record
Chicago claimed a Guinness world record after more than 1,000 people took a Malört shot together in the West Loop.
A mass toast in Chicago turned into a world record on Sunday night. More than 1,000 people took a shot of Malört at the same time, giving the city the Guinness title for the largest group to do it in unison.
The record was set at 7:50 p.m. at Recess in the West Loop, where a huge crowd gathered with glasses in hand for the attempt.
The drink at the center of it was Malört, described as Chicago's local beskbrnnvi, a bitter Swedish schnapps made with wormwood. With more than 1,000 people joining in, the city cleared the mark and secured the record.
It was bigger than one bar
The Chicago event was part of a wider push that reached well beyond the city itself. Dozens of bars from California to Maryland also tried to meet the record, but they fell short.
That left Chicago with the win, and the city will hold the title in the Guinness Book of World Records. Governor JB Pritzker also made an appearance at the event and helped pour glasses for attendees.
For a record built around a drink so closely linked to Chicago, the result gave the city a very specific new claim to fame: the biggest synchronized Malört shot ever recorded.
What Malört is
Malört is a very bitter spirit made in a wormwood style. It is usually served as a small shot, but people also use it in cocktails when they want a dry, herbal edge. The flavour is the main point. Fans describe notes like grapefruit pith, herbs, roots and a lingering medicinal bitterness. People who enjoy amaro, Fernet or other strongly bitter drinks often find it easier to understand than people expecting a sweet liqueur.
It has a reputation as a dare drink, but it is still a full strength spirit. That means it is better treated like liquor, not like beer or cider. If you are curious, start with a tiny sip rather than throwing one back immediately.
What to expect if you try it
Temperature changes the experience. Chilled Malört can taste a little smoother and less aromatic, while room temperature tends to make the bitterness and herbal smell more obvious. A small glass of water nearby helps, and eating beforehand usually makes any strong spirit easier to handle.
If you want to enjoy it rather than just survive it, pay attention to the aftertaste. Bitter spirits often open up in stages, with citrus peel, earthy notes and a dry finish appearing one after another. If the straight shot is too harsh, try it in a simple mixed drink with citrus or tonic. That can soften the shock while keeping the flavour profile intact.
