Famed New York ice cream chain and nationally-known brand Van Leeuwen will open its first shop in the Windy City Friday, with a limited-edition flavor that’s unique to Chicago — and no, its not infused with deep dish pizza, hot dogs or polish sausages.
Instead, it’s Malört.
The scoop shop, set to open at 11 a.m. at Wicker Park’s Six Corners, located at 1555 N. Damen Ave., will celebrate its Midwest debut with $1 scoops until 1 p.m., free tote bags for the first 100 customers and the limited-time Jeppson’s Malört ice-cream.
The infamous bitter spirit, aptly known in the city as “the taste you love to hate,” is a wormwood-based digestif that “has been thought of as a rite of passage or a hangover cure,” the brand says.
TikTok user @m.papag posted footage of her father trying the popular liquor for the first time.
In an Instagram post announcing the collaboration, Van Leeuwen said the flavor won’t be available forever, and for good reason.
“Our Malört flavor is only available for a limited time…honestly, how much of this stuff can you handle?”
“We’re so excited to welcome Van Leeuwen to Chicago the best way we know how – with Malört!” Tremaine Atkinson, CEO of CH Distillery, owner and producer of Jeppson’s Malört, said in a press release. “We’re honored to bring our two brands together to give Van Leeuwen a true Chicago welcome – in ice cream form. It’s a bold treat, and we can’t wait for Chicagoans to try a scoop!”
The French-style ice cream brand, which originally started as a New York City ice cream truck, is known for its creative and seasonal collaborations, the release said, including partnerships with Hidden Valley Ranch, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, BIGFACE Coffee Affogato and an Espresso ice cream from Sabrina Carpenter.
In Chicago, the Wicker Park location will serve more than 30 other of the brand’s unique, signature flavors, including its award-winning Vanilla Bean, Honeycomb, Sicilian Pistachio, Praline Butter Cake, Mango Sticky Rice and Earl Grey Tea.
Custom sundaes, handmade waffle cones, milkshakes, root beer floats, ice cream sandwiches and pints to-go will also be available at the shop, along with the brand’s famous vegan options including Cookie & Cream Caramel Swirl and Peanut Butter Brownie Honeycomb.
According to the release, the shop will be open from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Later this fall, a second Van Leeuwen Ice Cream shop will open in Chicago at the Willis Tower, at 233 S. Wacker Drive, the release said.
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