Apologue is one of the most original liqueur brands in America — a Chicago-born project that looked at what was missing behind the bar and decided to build it from scratch. Founded in 2017 by former Violet Hour bar manager Robby Haynes and partner Jordan Tepper, Apologue was built on a simple but radical premise: all-natural liqueurs made from fresh fruits, roots, herbs, and barks using traditional production methods — no extracts, no artificial flavors, no shortcuts. Every ingredient is sourced from within the Midwest, shining a light on underappreciated regional produce that most spirits brands overlook entirely. The debut lineup featured Aronia berry — bursting with tart cherry and bright citrus — bittersweet Persimmon in an Aperol-inspired aperitivo style, and earthy Celery Root pushing the savory side with tarragon and fennel. Since then the range has grown to include Saffron, Paw Paw, and Carrot expressions that give bartenders genuinely new tools to work with. All expressions use a non-GMO neutral grain spirit base combined with local produce, macerated in the raw state to capture the fullest, most authentic flavors possible. These are liqueurs that make cocktails more interesting. Browse our full Apologue collection with fast nationwide shipping delivered straight to your door.