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In the Rocks, Mario's Italian Lemonade, Green River Float, Jeppson's Malort, Bourbon Brand County Stout

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Wetting Your Whistle: The 15 Most Iconic Drinks in Chicago

The City of Broad Shoulders possesses a variety of ways to tip a couple back.

by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Jan 30, 2015, 1:36pm CST

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In the Rocks, Mario's Italian Lemonade, Green River Float, Jeppson's Malort, Bourbon Brand County Stout

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by Ashok Selvam@Shokdiesel Jan 30, 2015, 1:36pm CST

A good meal always requires a tasty beverage as a complement, but Chicago isn't a city to stick to the shadows. Here's a list of iconic drinks that demand attention. From a pre-dinner drink to something sweet as a dessert, this list offers something for everyone. Even straight-edge kids.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

Cosmo: For years, Chicago's steakhouses have poured patrons stiff drinks before and after their meals. Gibson's martinis are a city staple.

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Goose Island Brewery

Bourbon Brand County Stout: The granddaddy of all bourbon-aged beers, if you find this on tap past Christmas you're a chump if you don't order it. Any of the varietals apply.

Open in Google Maps

1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

Intelligentsia Coffee

Coffee: Intelligentsia dominates Chicago's coffee house culture, and if a restaurant uses its beans, you can rest assured they aren't messing around.

Open in Google Maps

3123 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

Irazu

Oatmeal Shake: The oatmeal shake at this Costa Rican gem could qualify for a meal in itself.

Open in Google Maps

1865 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Mario's Italian Lemonade

All flavors: Call it frozen lemonade or Italian ice — but venture to Taylor Street for a taste of genuine Chicago.

1068 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

Also featured in:

Matchbox

Sidecar: The city's tiniest bar makes one of the city's mightiest drinks. This brandy, Cointreau and lemon juice concoction will make you happy. And don't forget the powdered-sugar rim.

770 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Nisei Lounge

Jeppson's Malort: Did you really think this list could escape Malort? Nothing escapes Malort, and the folks at Nisei lounge have surrendered to that fact, happily pouring the original (Jeppson's) and watching what happens.

Open in Google Maps

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657-1613

Visit Website

Parts and Labor

Green River Float: Green River is a classic Chicago soda, and the folks at Parts and Labor took that magical reminder of childhood in a dessert.

Open in Google Maps

2700 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Portillo's Hot Dogs

Chocolate Cake Shake: It's basic math. Take Portillo's famous chocolate cake and add it to a milkshake and the sum is deliciousness.

Open in Google Maps

100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Sable Kitchen & Bar

War of the Roses: This drink hasn't been around for long, but has been widely praised. It's made of Pimm's, Chase elderflower, gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, bitters and mint.

Open in Google Maps

505 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Simon's Tavern

Glogg: The cookies that accompany Simon's holiday hot mulled wine make this an Andersonville tradition.

Open in Google Maps

5210 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

The Aviary

In the Rocks: A signature at The Aviary, this drink has gone through a couple different iterations, but the shell remains.

Open in Google Maps

955 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

The Violet Hour

Juliet and Romeo: Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy this Shakespeare-inspired cocktail, The Violet Hour's most-popular drink.

Open in Google Maps

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Wrigley Field

Old Style Beer: It's a humid summer day in Chicago. The grass is green at Wrigley. You've got the day off and you've got an Old Style in your hand. And you're not paying attention to the game. It's a Chicago tradition.

Open in Google Maps

1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

XOCO

Aztec Hot Chocolate: The menu at Rick Bayless' Xoco brags about its bean-to-chocolate drinks. But this one, with chile and all spice is worth remembering.

Open in Google Maps

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

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Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Cosmo: For years, Chicago's steakhouses have poured patrons stiff drinks before and after their meals. Gibson's martinis are a city staple.

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

Visit Website

Goose Island Brewery

1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Bourbon Brand County Stout: The granddaddy of all bourbon-aged beers, if you find this on tap past Christmas you're a chump if you don't order it. Any of the varietals apply.

Open in Google Maps

1800 N Clybourn Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Visit Website

Intelligentsia Coffee

3123 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657

Coffee: Intelligentsia dominates Chicago's coffee house culture, and if a restaurant uses its beans, you can rest assured they aren't messing around.

Open in Google Maps

3123 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60657

Visit Website

Irazu

1865 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Oatmeal Shake: The oatmeal shake at this Costa Rican gem could qualify for a meal in itself.

Open in Google Maps

1865 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Mario's Italian Lemonade

1068 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

All flavors: Call it frozen lemonade or Italian ice — but venture to Taylor Street for a taste of genuine Chicago.

1068 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

Matchbox

770 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Sidecar: The city's tiniest bar makes one of the city's mightiest drinks. This brandy, Cointreau and lemon juice concoction will make you happy. And don't forget the powdered-sugar rim.

770 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Nisei Lounge

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657-1613

Jeppson's Malort: Did you really think this list could escape Malort? Nothing escapes Malort, and the folks at Nisei lounge have surrendered to that fact, happily pouring the original (Jeppson's) and watching what happens.

Open in Google Maps

3439 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657-1613

Visit Website

Parts and Labor

2700 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Green River Float: Green River is a classic Chicago soda, and the folks at Parts and Labor took that magical reminder of childhood in a dessert.

Open in Google Maps

2700 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Visit Website

Portillo's Hot Dogs

100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654

Chocolate Cake Shake: It's basic math. Take Portillo's famous chocolate cake and add it to a milkshake and the sum is deliciousness.

Open in Google Maps

100 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Sable Kitchen & Bar

505 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

War of the Roses: This drink hasn't been around for long, but has been widely praised. It's made of Pimm's, Chase elderflower, gin, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, bitters and mint.

Open in Google Maps

505 N State St, Chicago, IL 60654

Visit Website

Simon's Tavern

5210 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Glogg: The cookies that accompany Simon's holiday hot mulled wine make this an Andersonville tradition.

Open in Google Maps

5210 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640

Visit Website

The Aviary

955 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

In the Rocks: A signature at The Aviary, this drink has gone through a couple different iterations, but the shell remains.

Open in Google Maps

955 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Visit Website

The Violet Hour

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Juliet and Romeo: Just in time for Valentine's Day, enjoy this Shakespeare-inspired cocktail, The Violet Hour's most-popular drink.

Open in Google Maps

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

Wrigley Field

1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

Old Style Beer: It's a humid summer day in Chicago. The grass is green at Wrigley. You've got the day off and you've got an Old Style in your hand. And you're not paying attention to the game. It's a Chicago tradition.

Open in Google Maps

1060 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613

Visit Website

XOCO

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Aztec Hot Chocolate: The menu at Rick Bayless' Xoco brags about its bean-to-chocolate drinks. But this one, with chile and all spice is worth remembering.

Open in Google Maps

1471 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Visit Website

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