Step Aside, Lip Smackers: Jo Snow Syrups Releases Lip Balms

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 23, 2013 3:00PM

Jo Snow Syrups is known for their complex, interesting flavor combinations. These combos add complexity to sodas, coffee drinks and cocktails, and now they're coming to a pair of lips near you.

"I love lip balm, and am always buying new ones to try out," explained creator Melissa Yen. "Some are too dry, some too sticky, some lose their taste a second after you put them on. So I figured, I'm making my own!" Yen was inspired by the smell of the kitchen when she was cooking up certain flavors. "When we make these particular flavors in the kitchen, it smells like a spa. So i started thinking . . .why not use these flavor combos to make other products, like lip balms?"

The three flavors currently in production are tangerine lavender honey, grapefruit rosemary & cardamom rose water. Yen isn't making the balms herself; she's teamed up with local producer Abbey Brown Soap Artisans to turn them out. As of later today, they will be available at Wolfbait in Logan Square and, sometime in the next couple of days, they'll be for sale on her website.

"I need to think of a new title for myself," Yen said, "like 'flavorologist' or something as I am not just the senior syrup slinger any more!"