Detroit Bars: Summer Drink Scavenger Hunt

During Prohibition, an estimated 75 percent of all the alcohol smuggled into the United States came through Detroit, either by way of the Windsor-Detroit tunnel or produced by local entrepreneurs. That rebellious spirit of ingenuity is still alive in the city today as craft drinks come back into fashion. This summer, we challenge you to visit these Detroit bars and find these summer beverages produced by local makers.

Detroit’s Summer Drinks

1. The Cabernet Franc Rosé at Detroit Vineyards. Tasting of violet and red berries, aged in oak, this rosé is the perfect wine for red drinkers on hot days. Established in 2014, Detroit Vineyards has become the first winery to open in Detroit in 60 years. Freshly moved into their new home in the old Stroh’s ice cream factory, their tasting room has already become a meeting place for parties and wine lovers.
2. The Blueberry Velvet cocktail at Detroit City Distillery. Ginger, Sage, blueberries and their own Peacemaker Gin, this delicious cocktail is sure to get you in the mood for summer. Detroit City Distillery is located in Eastern Market right down the road from our third spot.
3. Eastern Market Brewing Company’s Elephant Juice. Named after their mascot, the elephant, Elephant Juice is a citrus IPA. Love it so much you want to take some home? No worries, EMBR cans their own beers on site for easy takeaway.
   

    

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4. The Chihuahua at Two James Spirits. The first licensed distillery in Detroit since prohibition, Two James Distillery has become a staple in the historic Corktown. The experienced bartenders are always creating new tasty drinks, so check back often! The Chihuahua is a spicy, sweet mix of Old Cockney Gin, habanero, grapefruit juice and salt. Perfect for those that like a little kick to their cocktail.
5. While you’re in Corktown, find Brew Detroit and grab a Cerveza Delray lager. This complex brew will add a touch of sweetness to your day. Brew Detroit also offers contract brewing services. Visit their website for more info on how they can help you create your own masterpieces.
6. Follow the trail to Batch Brewing Co., also located in Corktown, and sample the Audacity. This Kolsch style ale is sure to go down easy. They also serve a beer slushie made from a different beer every year. Make sure to grab a bite to eat from their delicious scratch kitchen menu or stop in for Sunday Brunch.
7. From Corktown, travel downtown to Rusted Crow Detroit and get the Mitten Mule. A twist on a classic, the Mitten Mule is Rusted Crow’s Detroit Steam Vodka, produced at their distillery in Dearborn, lime juice, ginger syrup and ginger beer.
8. A short drive will get you to Ferndale and B. Nektar. Cool down in the B. Nektar taproom with a drink out of their popular mead slushie machine! On tap this June will be Punk Lemonade, a vibrant, lemon and raspberry hard cider.
9. Pop over to Royal Oak and Roak Brewing. Their latest release Ice Cream Man is a kettle sour ale that creates the perfect balance between sour and sweet.

Wine, beer, and spirits. There’s a drink for everyone in Detroit this summer. We challenge you to visit these local spots and discover out what our friend’s at B. Nektar are calling “the craft revolution.”

Find more cocktail bars and breweries in Detroit.