Where to get little bottles of liquor (& liqueur) in Chicago? Near-burb, rather

Cafe Society
1

I just bought a book called Small-Batch Baking and there are several recipes that call for tiny amounts (1 or 2 tablespoons) of liquor and liqueur. Big bottles are expensive and we don’t drink much, so I was thinking about those small bottles you see on airplanes to try out the recipes. I went to a liquor store near my house and found out that those small bottles are illegal in the city of Chicago! Why in the world…? How very bizarre.

So, does anyone know of a store that’s easy to get to via public transportation (I have no car) in Evanston or another nearby 'burb that would carry a good selection of such things? If I try the recipes and like them, and think I might want to make bigger versions, I can then buy a bigger bottle, but I’m not going to pay $30.00 for a bottle of Frangelico just for an experiment.

These are the main ones I’m looking for. I don’t even know if some of them come in airline bottles.

Chambord
Frangelico
Cointreau
Grand Marnier
Kahlua
Baileys
Dark rum
Brandy
Some kind of banana liqueur (the recipe doesn’t give a name)

There might be others. I haven’t gone through the whole book yet.

Thanks!

2

I’m not so familiar with the Evanston area specifically, but Jewel/Osco has stores all over Chicagoland and they have a liquor department where you could likely find much of what you’re looking for. They keep the teeny bottles with the expensive champagnes, in a locked glass cabinet between the photo counter and the wines. Or thereabouts - most of the Jewel/Oscos are set up the same way.

You might also check your phone book for a liquor store called “Armanetti’s” - there are a bunch of those in the Chicago area.

3

Evanston 1st Liquor is at 1019 Davis St. 2 Blocks West of the Davis St. el stop. They should have what you are looking for.

There is also Austin liquors in Skokie at 3305 Dempster a few blocks W of McCormick.

There’s another place on Western 3 blocks S of Howard in the mall where the BlockBuster is across from Mullens.

4

Binny’s’ carries the small bottles of at least half of those. They have a store on Milwaukee Avenue in Niles, but there may be one closer.

I have a tiny bottle of Armanac waiting for me at home that was bought at Binny’s. $7 for 50 ml, but worth it.

5

Thanks LifeOnWry, MikeG and lee, I appreciate the answers. I’ll give all those places a call.

What is Armanac? $7? Youch!

Can anyone suggest the names of some banana-flavored liqueurs so I’ll know what to look for?

6

I am drawing a complete blank on label names, but asking for Creme de Bananes ought to get you somewhere…

Hey, lookie what I just found! Liqueurs

7

That’s extremely helpful, thank you!

8

Armagnac is grape brandy, which is distilled wine, from the Pays de Gascogne in south-west France. This one is very smooth and has a wonderful rich flavor and scent.

If you like something that is sweet and cooks up well, the Godiva liqueurs are very nice.