Fans attending Saturday night’s primetime matchup at Soldier Field will have a new way to stay warm as the Chicago Bears introduce a distinctly local twist on a classic cold-weather beverage. A Chicago-style hot chocolate, crafted specifically for the game against the Green Bay Packers, will make its debut inside the stadium, offering supporters a combination of comfort and regional character.
The beverage blends traditional hot cocoa with Jeppson’s Malört and Amaretto, creating a drink that reflects Chicago’s unique culinary identity. The offering was developed by Levy, the food, beverage, and hospitality partner for the Bears, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the in-stadium experience for fans during winter games. With temperatures expected to drop during the late-season contest, the drink is positioned as both a warming option and a novelty that embraces local flavor.
Adding to the presentation, the hot chocolate is topped with a toasted salted caramel marshmallow from Chicago-based XO Marshmallow. The finishing touch is designed to balance the drink’s bitterness and sweetness, while also highlighting local craftsmanship. The combination reflects a growing trend in professional sports venues to feature regionally inspired food and beverages that resonate with home crowds.
The most distinctive element of the drink is Malört, a liqueur that has become synonymous with Chicago despite its polarizing reputation. Known for its sharp, bitter aftertaste, Malört was relatively obscure for decades before gaining broader attention in the early 2010s. Since then, it has developed a cult following, often sparking strong reactions from first-time drinkers while remaining a point of pride for many locals.
By incorporating Malört into a familiar beverage like hot chocolate, the Bears and their hospitality partners are leaning into the spirit of Chicago fandom, where embracing the unconventional is often part of the experience. The addition of Amaretto provides a contrasting sweetness, aiming to create a more balanced profile that appeals to a wider range of tastes without losing the bold character of the city’s signature spirit.
The debut comes during one of the Bears’ most anticipated home games of the season, as the team faces longtime rival Green Bay in a nationally spotlighted contest. Games between the two franchises regularly draw heightened attention, and the introduction of a specialty beverage adds another layer to the atmosphere surrounding the matchup.
While the drink may not convert skeptics of Malört, it reinforces the Bears’ effort to offer memorable, locally rooted options for fans braving the elements at Soldier Field. As winter football continues in Chicago, the Chicago-style hot chocolate stands as a small but symbolic nod to the city’s enduring traditions, its love for the Bears, and its willingness to celebrate flavors that are unmistakably its own.
