Cicada-infused liquor was a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience — but it was also illegal

As a surplus of buzzing cicadas emerged in the Chicago area, one local bar got creative with the simultaneous arrival of the two broods.

Noon Whistle Brewing in Lombard, Illinois, took the cicadas, whose 13 year and 17 year emergence overlapped for the first time in 221 years , and placed them into Chicago’s infamous liquor — Jepsons Malört.

The “once-in-a-lifetime” collaboration of flavors announced by the bar in May turned many heads — but it also got the attention of the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC).

It turns out the drink was illegal , according to officials.

The ILCC cited an establishment for selling the bug-infused liquor containing cicadas, according to an Aug. 7 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, by the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago.

“So please take note that in Illinois retailers can not infuse spirits with cicadas for retail sale,” the nonprofit said.

The ILCC did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ Aug. 14 request for details on the citation.

Multiple news outlets , including Eater Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times, reported Noon Whistle Brewing confirmed they were the establishment cited for the drink.

Noon Whistle Brewing did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment Aug. 14.

The brewery started selling the shot of infused Malört garnished with a cicada on May 21, according to the establishment’s Facebook page. They advertised the drink as a “safe, nutritious, and totally unique” experience that would have an unexpected “lobster-like flavor,” according to the post.

The brewpub even encouraged customers to bring cicada husks for “extra flavor,” according to the post.

Sales of the infused liquor abruptly ceased May 30, just nine days after it was announced.

“Effective immediately we do not sell Cicada infused Malört ,” the bar said in a Facebook post. “It was a fun little moment there that sort of honestly started as a joke/dare and really just totally blew up. What a wild ride. We hope you all appreciate our spirit of exploration and our devotion to creating a fun (sometimes a little crazy) atmosphere.”

Noon Whistle Brewery did not give a specific reason for removing the unique shot from the menu.

Illinois law outlines strict rules for how liquor can be infused and stored. The Liquor Control Act of 1934 says the infusion-period cannot last more than 14 days and the liquor must be used or destroyed within 21 days after the aging process.

The law does not outline what infusions are allowed, but defines “infusion” as “a spirit where ingredients, including, but not limited to, fruits, spices, or nuts, are added to naturally infuse flavor into the spirit,” according to the act.

Lombard is about a 20-mile drive west from Chicago.

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