Chicagoans set world record for largest mass Malört shot

Chicagoans set world record for largest mass Malört shot

Nearly 2,000 people packed into Recess, a sprawling West Loop bar and restaurant, on Sunday to take a shot of Malört simultaneously, setting what organizers believe is a world record for the largest mass consumption of the bitter liqueur. The event, billed as a “Bad Decision for a Good Cause,” also served as a fundraiser for Ravenswood Community Services (RCS), a Chicago nonprofit that provides meals and groceries to residents in the Uptown and Ravenswood neighborhoods.

According to the Chicago Tribune, the idea for the event began last year with Franky Everleigh of Everleigh Entertainment, a volunteer for RCS. Everleigh approached Malört, which is owned and produced by CH Distillery, with the idea of organizing a mass shot for charity, and the concept quickly grew. Organizers initially released 2,000 tickets, which sold out rapidly, prompting an additional 500 tickets to be released a week before the event—those sold out within two minutes.

“We knew that this would be something that was exciting to a lot of people, but I don’t think we could have ever thought that this would be something that’s so big,” said Anna Sokratov, director of marketing at Malört, as quoted by the Tribune.

The event featured attendees in Malört-themed costumes, including a Mandalorian and a pope, and participants described the spirit in colorful terms: “Engine oil with a touch of gasoline and grapefruit,” “Hot, messy sweat meets athlete’s foot juice,” and “If Lower Wacker had a taste.”

The enthusiasm extended well beyond the bar itself. Approximately 100 bars across the country hosted official watch parties, and a live stream of the event peaked at 18,000 viewers, a spokesperson for Recess told NBC 5 Chicago. The spokesperson also noted that the previous attempt at a mass Malört shot had drawn only between 20 and 100 participants.

During the event, Illinois Gov. B. Pritzker made a surprise appearance, getting behind the bar to help pour and hand out shots—and taking one himself, according to NBC 5.

Malört, which has been distilled in the Chicago area since the 1930s, has seen a surge in notoriety in recent years. The beverage is famously bitter and has become infamous because Chicago-area residents often give it to unsuspecting visitors, but it has also developed a cult following. Attendees received a mini bottle of Malört to take home, and there were prize giveaways, live entertainment and special guests.

The event raised at least $25,000 for RCS, with CH Distillery matching $10 of every ticket sold, before additional donations made throughout the night. Sokratov said the event was special for the company, calling it “one of the biggest events that we’ve probably ever thrown” and expressing gratitude that they were able to benefit a charity while having a good time.

As the crowd raised their glasses, the record attempt was not just about the bitter taste—it was about community, charity and a shared love for a polarizing Chicago tradition.