Maybe it’s because of Detroit’s historic reign as the Motor City, but when a new trend surfaces we have a habit of picking it up and running with it at the speed of light. First pop-ups. Then food trucks. After that craft beer, artisan spirits and coffee. Now its craft cocktails and I’m loving every single second of sippin’ on these delicious glasses of heaven. Here are my ten favorite bars in Detroit (in no particular order) serving up some one of a kind craft cocktails. Go ahead, set down that craft beer for a moment or two. Take my hand and let’s explore all of the mixology magic that Detroit has to offer. Just don’t do it all in one day. Or do. Yeah – totally call me if you do.

1. The Sugar House – Corktown

The Sugar House is serving up classic and innovative cocktails on an ever changing cocktail list and a rotating selection of the finest beers and wines in alllll the land. Here you can sit back and enjoy their relaxing, dimly lit, old-style saloon with vintage paintings and mounted deer heads that are just dying for a sip of one of those cool quenching cocktails. Literally. And if you’re not into that cozy lodge décor, just call the waiter over and order another cocktail. By the time you reach the bottom of that glass you’ll forget all about those thirsty woodland critters.

What to try:

• Roosevelt Park Swizzle – Basil infused Havana Club run, Cointreau, strawberry, lime and balsamic vinegar reduction. Swizzled in a Collins glass over crushed ice and garnished with basil
• Incondicional – Milagro Anejo tequila, coffee bean-infused Carpano Antica vermouth, Marie Brizard raspberry liqueur & lemon bitters. Stirred and served down in a rock glass

2. Two James Spirits – Corktown

Step into this gritty urban-industrial style tasting room and claim a seat at the bar in Detroit’s first licensed distillery following the Prohibition. At Two James you can feel good AND do good by enjoying one (or five, don’t let me tell you what to do) of their award winning and environmentally conscious handmade spirits. Your mother would be so proud. In fact, I say this calls for a toast. Let’s toast to The Spirit of Detroit, its reenergization, its people and, most importantly, our awesome moms (hi, mom).

What to try:

• Disco in the D – Medjool date and raising infused Grass Widow Bourbon, agave simple syrup, lemon and house bitters
• Rosemary’s Baby – 28 Island Vodka, rosemary syrup, fresh grapefruit juice and a dash of soda

3. Our/Detroit – Corktown

Our/Detroit is the second member of the global Our/Vodka family and the first micro-distillery in America. This micro-distillery also has a unique mission that underlines the spirit of the Motor City. Each ounce of vodka is crafted with character by using fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Our/Detroit infuses the authentic flavor of Detroit into the brand through a collaborative local team that is dedicated to invigorating the city through community engagement, outreach and celebration. How neat is that!?! So I invite you to engage in a day out on in the D, reach out and grab an Our/Detroit craft cocktail and sip in celebration of Detroit’s vibrant people and unwavering spirit.

What to try:

• Stop in at an Our/Detroit retailer near you or come in for a tour and tasting at the micro-distillery.
• Oh yeah, by the way – each week Drought Juice, an organic, cold-pressed, raw juice company in Metro Detroit, delivers a new juice to be incorporated into a signature Our/Detroit cocktail. With a fresh Detroit focused cocktail each week, you’ll always be in for a treat in the tasting room.

4. Craft Work – West Village

Craft Work is a friendly neighborhood craft cocktail bar in Historic West Village of Detroit. They’re also serving up late night sushi, so we can forget post-bar Coney dogs downtown for at least one night (maybe). Come in, grab a delightful cocktail and break out your chopsticks because it’s never a bad time for sushi (unless you have a fitting food allergy, in which case it’s NEVER a good time for sushi).

What to try:

• Dark and Stormy – Zaya Rum, Crabbies Ginger Beer, lime
• Agnes Street – Gin, St. Germ, Chartreuse, Lemon

5. Café D’Mongo’s Speakeasy – Downtown

Step into a completely different era at Café D’Mongo’s where the live jazz music will sooth your soul as you enjoy the novelty historic décor. Every inch of every room in the speakeasy is covered with jazz memorabilia and Prohibition relics. Whether you’re sitting at a table with Napoleon worthy chairs, or going belly up at the bar, I promise you’ll discover a rich piece of history to admire. But let me warn you – this little gem is only open on Friday nights so plan your trip through time accordingly. Plus, if you’re a fan delicious food (and mind blowing guacamole in particular) be on the lookout for an appearance by Esteban Castro, owner of Esto’s Garage. And if my argument isn’t convincing enough for you, Café Demongo’s is a Travel Channel suggested destination. I mean, even Ryan Gosling has pulled up a seat in the cozy, carefree hangout. Yes, THEE Ryan Gosling. This is not a false alarm. I may have gotten a touch carried away on this one. But if crazy is being a fan of time travel, priceless Detroit relics, great craft-cocktails, guacamole and Ryan Gosling’s face/life, so be it.

6. Wright & Co. – Downtown

Wright & Co. has perfectly designed a stylish, old-school and comfortable atmosphere that offers a variety of high-quality craft cocktails. Belly up at the mile long bar, or slide into a cozy red leather booth to enjoy your sips and admire the sights of the shiny pressed-tin ceiling and rich wood flooring. Relish every moment of your stay because there’s quite an impressive wait to get a seat, and your pals will be dying to hear about your time out on the town.

What to try:

• Snap Pea – Snap-pea-infused vodka, St. Germain with lime zest with frothy egg-white top
• Rosemary & Pine – Pine-nut-infused bourbon, orange blossom honey and lemon, branch of flame-seared rosemary

7. Punch Bowl Social – Downtown

Punch Bowl Social has taken the hassle of choosing between indulging in a reputable dinner and drink and an exciting social experience. All of your wildest wishes have been granted thanks to the Punch Bowl genie and his grown-up playground concept that combines timeless, old school entertainment (like bowling, ping pong, shuffle board, karaoke and vintage arcade games) with trendy comfort food and an impressive assortment of punch bowls, craft cocktails, craft beer, and milkshakes. Yup. Milkshakes. Plus, Punch Bowl Social’s eats, taps and unique craft cocktails feature local Michigan breweries and Detroit distilleries like Two James Spirits. This venue is a Victorian inspired Colorado mountain lodge with exposed brick, reclaimed wood and a deer antler chandelier that will blow your mind. Stop in to eat, drink and be social in this magical gastro-diner-wonderland. I mean look at you, you’re pretty dang wonderful yourself. And, well, you deserve it, champ.

What to try:

• Bachelor’s Punch Bowl – Old forester bourbon, Pimm’s blackberry elderflower, liquor, pineapple guava, yerba mate tea and lemon juice
• Same Thing We Do Every Night, Pinky – Short’s Soft Parade, McCleary Bros apple pie shrub, Pimm’s blackberry elderflower liqueur

8. Selden Standard – Midtown

Selden Standard believes that what you’re sipping on is just as important, if not more, than what’s on your plate. Tastes change along with the seasons, so try not to get too attached. Everything on the menu is sourced from small producers, both local and across the globe, to create original cocktail masterpieces crafted from mindfully selected spirits, seasonal fruits and house made ingredients that will rock your socks off.

What to try:

• Married to the Single Life – aged rum, cinnamon syrup, absinthe, and orange bitters
• Scott’s Folly – Cognac, raspberry shrub, lemon, yellow Chartreuse

9. Detroit City Distillery – Eastern Market

After a long day of shopping in Eastern Market swing by the Detroit City Distillery. This slaughterhouse-turned-distillery tasting room has taken on a comfortable 1930’s speakeasy look that makes each sip of your cocktail more, and more satisfying. Detroit City Distillery’s drink menu features vintage and original creations exclusively using Detroit City spirits, house bitters, syrups and aromatics. Stop in to taste the history and toast to our beloved Motor City. Cheers!

What to try:

• The Last Letter – DCD Railroad Gin, raspberry/lemon/vanilla shrub, lemon juice and egg white
• Lost in Textation – Two Faced Bourbon, Pineapple Sage balsamic shrub, coconut, cinnamon, lime and house Aromatic bitters