Illinois brewpub serving cicada-infused liquor shots
LOMBARD, Ill. (WGN) — A Chicago-area brewpub is offering a shot that won't be available for another 17 years.
The Noon Whistle Pub, located in Lombard, is serving up cicada-infused Malört shots. Yes, you read that right — cicada-infused liquor.
In a post shared Tuesday on Instagram, the brewpub said, "Prepare yourself for a once-in-a-lifetime experience because starting today, we're thrilled to unveil our exclusive locally harvested Cicada-Infused Malört at Lombard Brewpub!"
The brewpub is collecting the cicadas from a nearby park, cooking them, and putting them into bottles of the legendary Chicago liquor.
After the infusion is complete, bar patrons can volunteer to take a shot that's 17 years in the making. The shot is selling for $5.
If you have a shellfish allergy, however, the pub advises against ingesting the Malört shots. Cicadas, like shellfish, have the muscle protein tropomyosin. While there isn't much research on the potential allergic reactions to cicadas among those allergic to shellfish, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America recommends not eating the bug unless you've consulted with your healthcare provider.
Illinois is one of more than a dozen states set to be bombarded with cicadas this year. Two periodical broods are or will soon emerge in what some are calling “cicada-geddon.”
Brood XIII, which will be less widespread, emerges only every 17 years, while Brood XIX emerges every 13 years.
This is the first time since 1803 that Broods XIX and XIII will co-emerge, according to the University of Connecticut (though we last saw a 13-year brood and a 17-year brood emerge together in 2015).
The cicadas are harmless, except for their alarming singing, and will stick around for a few weeks.