Article is sponsored by Journeyman Distillery in Three Oaks
Michigan is home to many accomplished craft distillers producing whiskey, vodka, gin, and more. Many of these distilleries have received high honors and have become West Michigan favorites. Here are some suggestions of where to raise a glass, or grab what you need to make a cocktail at home.
1. Try Uniquely Crafted Spirits in South West Michigan
Located near Lake Michigan and a vast fruit belt, Round Barn Distillery has been a hot spot for creating unique libations since 2001. Straight up, on the rocks, shaken or stirred…however you like it! Their DiVine Vodka is their best selling spirit and was the first American vodka distilled from grapes! Vodka not your taste? Try the award-winning 269 Gin, made from a grape brandy base and vapor infused with a unique blend of botanicals. They also offer other unique craft spirits such as Red Sky Rum, Blue Flame Agave, Berrien Ridge Whiskey, and Baroda Straight Bourbon.
Their spirits are available at all locations, including the Round Barn Estate, Round Barn Brewery & Public House, Round Barn Tasting Room, Tabor Hill Winery & Restaurant, and Free Run Cellars.
2. Enjoy a Hand-Crafted Drink in a Historic Space
Journeyman Distillery is a hand-crafted, certified organic, and certified kosher whiskey and spirits distillery located in the historic Featherbone Factory in Three Oaks. Journeyman produces vodka, gin, rum, and a variety of whiskeys.
Warren, a staunch prohibitionist, founded the historic building in 1883 as a Buggy Whip, and Corsets factory. He revolutionized the manufacturing of corsets with the use of the softer featherbone, over the stiffer whalebone for corsets in the late 19th century. EK Warren’s success reached worldwide attention putting Three Oaks, Michigan on the map.
You are invited to explore throughout the historic building and take a look through the gallery windows which let you view the distillation process as it happens.The original maple factory floors are still in place from the 1800s. They use wood from the owner’s family barn in central Indiana; wood that was once the flooring for an early 1900s schoolhouse. They even have an original concrete bar made in Grand Rapids, with coordinates etched into the side—to mark this historic and unique location.
Journeyman offers artisan spirits with a focus on whiskey. While whiskey is what their team originally fell in love with, they also offer a variety of quality organic spirits such as vodka, gin, rum, and more. Everything about Journeyman Distillery is handcrafted. They distill, bottle, label, and package each spirit at their Three Oaks distillery.
3. Try Mead Made with Fresh, Local Ingredients
The best mead is made from fresh fruit and raw honey, and Great Mead Hall & Brewing Company in Bangor sources local ingredients to ensure the freshest possible.
If you’d rather head North, another of our favorite mead stops is St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah.
4. Create a Wintery Mule at Home
St. Julian Winery has created a delicious Cranberry Bourbon Mule recipe for you to enjoy from the comfort of your own home. See below for the recipe!
3oz St. Julian Cranberry Wine (or juice)
1.5oz St. Julian Cask Strength Bourbon
0.5oz Lime Juice
Ginger Beer
Pour all ingredients into a Moscow Mule Mug and stir. Serve with a slice of lime and cranberries.
5. Celebrate Craft Beverages in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Craft Beverage Week is coming up January 29 – February 6 with fun events and specials all throughout the week that celebrate our local breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
6. Visit New Holland Brewing Company’s Locations for a Tasting
For award-winning, handcrafted spirits in Saugatuck, be sure to stop by the New Holland Brewing Spirits Tasting Room where you can enjoy tastings and a variety of innovative, handcrafted cocktails.
Their South Haven spirits tasting room is another ideal destination for happy hour cocktails or an after-dinner nightcap.They offer tasting flights and cocktails made with our award-winning spirits, along with light snacks and a retail area with bottles to go.
7. Grab a Tasty Canned Cocktail
Add canned cocktails from Holland’s Coppercraft Distillery to your shopping list next time you head to the grocery store! A perfect option for a beach day getaway, family cookout, or a hike in the woods, these cocktails in a can are sure to fuel even the thirstiest of explorers.
Holland is also home to distilleries, breweries, and wineries that pride themselves on creating fantastic beverages using the finest locally-grown ingredients. Get a true taste of Holland’s handcrafted beverage scene with a free Handcrafted Passport from the Holland Convention + Visitors Bureau.
8. Spirits and Strolls
Muskegon’s two Social Districts allow you to take your cocktail for an outdoor stroll! Three local distilleries allow you to get your toddy “to-go” and explore downtown Muskegon!
9. Cheers to Cocktails in the Capitol City
If you are looking for exceptional spirits and cocktails, then Greater Lansing is the place to be with great tasting rooms, cool cocktail bars and the best mixed drink recipes that you can imagine. You can enjoy your drinks on site, purchase bottles to take home, or best of all-do both!
10. Enjoy an Outdoor Tasting Tour in Traverse City
Discover several unique distilleries in the Traverse City area, including Grand Traverse Distillery, Iron Fish Distillery, Mammoth Distilling Traverse City Outpost, Northern Latitudes Distillery, and more. You can also find locally crafted spirits at Black Star Farms, Chateau Chantal, and other area restaurants. Each distillery brings something special to the table. This winter, bundle up and enjoy an outdoor tasting tour, or pop in to buy a bottle of your favorite spirits. Can’t make it up north? Find cocktail recipes and virtual tasting opportunities online.
11. Taste the local flavor in Charlevoix
Calling all craft beverage drinkers! Charlevoix welcomes you to try Northern Michigan beer, wine, and spirits. Maximize your time by booking a guided tour with one of the area’s local tour companies that will help get where you need to go and take away the stress of driving.
12. Make a Stop in Bellaire
A trip to Northern Michigan’s Shanty Creek Resort is not complete without a stop in beautiful Downtown Bellaire. Known best for Short’s Brewing Company, Bellaire is also home to Mammoth Distilling Tasting Room.Together, along with other local wineries, breweries, and distilleries, downtown Bellaire has become a refreshing destination to enjoy hand-crafted cocktails, beer, mead, cider, and wine.
Short’s Brewing’s new indoor taproom in Elk Rapids, The Pull Barn, features 20 taps of the freshest Short’s on the planet —it’s right next to their production facility after all—and ample indoor seating. Light snack food is also available, and guests are encouraged to bring their own picnic or order takeout and have it delivered. No reservations needed, walk-ins welcome.
Be sure to also visit Hello Vino Wine and Cocktail Lounge, and enjoy their delicious selection of specialty cocktails and delicious treats!
13. Try Mammoth Distilling, Bay Harbor style
Mammoth Bay Harbor offers a comfortable and relaxing space where friends and family can connect for an enjoyable afternoon or evening together. Offering all the great cocktails, classes, and events you expect from Mammoth, now in Bay Harbor style.
14. Enjoy Spirit Tastings at Walloon Lake Winterfest
Head to Barrel Back Restaurant for the 5th Annual Walloon Lake Winterfest on Saturday, February 19th from 12-4pm. Visit the tasting room featuring over 10 Michigan craft wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Pre-sale tickets are available now!
15. Explore more Michigan Craft Spirits
Learn more about the Michigan small batch spirit producers and distilleries with the Michigan Craft Distillers Association and the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.
Click here for more West Michigan distilled spirits, craft breweries, wineries, cider, and mead.
