Where to Drink Handcrafted Cocktails in Kalamazoo, Michigan

Posted on October 12th, 2021

Experience exciting new flavors at distilleries and cocktail bars throughout Kalamazoo, discover the popular Downtown Social District, or attend one of the many tastings, happy hours or special events. Read on for our guide to Kalamazoo’s craft cocktail scene, then head to our events calendar to help you plan your next trip or night out.

600 Kitchen & Bar

Real food, by real people. 600 Kitchen & Bar sources their bread, dairy, produce and meat from Michigan farmers and artisans whenever possible. Located in downtown Kalamazoo’s River Edge district on the northwest corner of The Foundry building, it features a diverse menu that honors both people and tradition.

The restaurant is part of a 52,000-square-foot creative incubator with office space and event areas that help breathe new life and energy into a historic space that was once a gray-iron foundry built around 1905.

We recommend ordering the Limoncello Spritz – made with limoncello, brut and lemon zest – or the Pinky Up – made with Reyka Vodka, fresh lime juice, Triple Sec and raspberry liqueur.

Canal Street Cafe

Looking to step out of your regular routine this weekend and try something new? Canal Street Cafe in Augusta is on our list of Hidden Gem Restaurants in Kalamazoo County and is the perfect spot for a date night or dinner and drinks with friends!

The cafe is cozy and casual, and their food handcrafted and is locally sourced. This is also one of the best spots in Kalamazoo to order a fresh and festive cocktail! Their Spicy Cajun Pasta is a fan favorite if you’re unsure of what to order.

We recommend ordering the Campfire Cocktail – made with spiced rum, apple cider and Fireball Whiskey – or the Goodness Sage – made with Traverse City Bourbon, house-made sage simple syrup and lemon bitters.

Cove Lakeside Bistro

Cove is a lakeside culinary retreat in Portage, where you can enjoy fresh and local fare alongside handcrafted cocktails and gorgeous views of West Lake. They’re open for both brunch, lunch and dinner, and offer a variety of specials weekly.

We recommend trying are the Mockingbird – made with Camarena Blanco Tequila, Aperol, rosemary simple syrup, grapefruit juice and lime juice – or the Skeleton Key – made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, ginger beer and a dash of bitters.

Green Door Distilling

Green Door Distilling Co. is a self-proclaimed “grain to glass distillery” and recent recipient of the “Michigan Vodka Distillery of the Year Award” by the New York Spirits Competition. When Green Door opened in 2014, it was Kalamazoo’s first distillery in nearly 200 years.

You can take a tour of the distillery for just $10, which includes a comprehensive walk through of the facility, information about the process of distilling, and a flight of spirits that you can enjoy outside while playing corn hole or enjoying their live music events!

We recommend trying the You Guava Be Kidding Me! – featuring vodka, guava nectar, lemon, orgeat simple syrup, and bitters – or the Pepper Punch – made with Wheat Whiskey, pineapple+orange, pepper mix, simple syrup, lemon+lime.

Gull Lake Distilling Company

Gull Lake Distilling Company is a family-owned, locally-sourced craft Distillery, Brewery, and Winery located in Galesburg! They have corn hole leagues every Wednesday, trivia on Thursday and every Sunday you can enjoy Bloody Mary’s and Brunch with The Kitchen at Avalon Farms food truck!

Their full drink menu includes everything from the classics like Mojitos, Old Fashioned’s, Manhattan, etc., to hard seltzers, beer, and of course, their signature craft cocktails!

We recommend trying the Maple Mitten – made with Apple Brandy, apple cider, barrel-aged maple syrup, orange bitters and ginger ale – or the Spicy B – made with Spiced Rum peach, jalapeno and honey.

Latitude 42 Brewing Co

While Latitude 42 is one of Kalamazoo’s most well-known breweries, their cocktail menu and offerings are truly unique and just as delicious!

We recommend trying either the Prickly Pear Micharita – made with L42 Vodka, Prickly Pear Puree, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, Himalayan pink salt rim, garnished with a lime – or the Traverse City Cherry Bomb – made with L42 Bourbon, Smoked Black Cherry Syrup, Michigan Cherries and lemon.

Old Burdick’s

Old Burdick’s takes pride in crafting delicious meals and cocktails with fresh ingredients. While their true claim to fame is the amazing variety of local craft beers they offer on tap, their cocktails are just as unique and delicious.

You can expect everything from frozen tropical-themed drinks and margaritas to sangria, Bloody Mary’s and even spiked hot chocolate in the winter months!

We recommend ordering the Snow Monkey – made with Malibu rRum, Frangelico, butterscotch schnapps, piña colada mix and pineapple juice – or the Violet Beauregarde – made with Green Door Botanical Gin, Green Door Blueberry Liquor, simple syrup and fresh lemon juice.

Principle

Principle Food & Drink features craft cocktails and scratch made cuisine in a casual yet elegant vintage atmosphere. The Principle kitchen presents an array of ‘medium’ plates, comprised primarily of ingredients sourced within 50 miles of Kalamazoo.

One of their most popular and raved about cocktails is the Smoked Sazerac – made with Bulleit Rye Whiskey, Demerara syrup, absinthe mist, Peychauds and anise smoke.

South Kitchen

South Kitchen is a southern inspired restaurant with coastal cuisine located on beautiful Gull Lake. While they offer an extensive wine list and beer options too, their craft cocktails steal the show!

We recommend trying the Spicy Sailor Punch – made with Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Strawberry, Cinnamon and Vanilla, topped with Ginger Ale!

Stamped Robin

Find artisanal cocktails at places like the Stamped Robin. Most of their cocktails include only three ingredients, which makes every drink simply delicious. The experience is enhanced by high quality ingredients and knowledgeable mixologists.

Along with their cocktails, you’ll find both wine and beer on tap, as well as a small menu of appetizers and desserts. Their little garden patio is located in the middle of downtown Kalamazoo and is open ’til midnight Tuesday-Saturday!

We recommend ordering the Buck 75- made with Tito’s Vodka, Ramazzotti Aperitivo, ginger spiced honey, lemon & sparkling brut – or the Rum & ‘Choke – made with New Holland Freshwater Rum, Cynar, Amaro Lucano, Allspice Dram & Topo Chico.

Table of Contents Cafe

Table of Contents is a full service bookstore cafe, where the food and the drinks are literary inspired! You can order drinks with names like Una Rosita by Any Other Name – made with gin and house-made rose syrup – or Once Again to Zelda – made with gin and house-made and clove syrup.

Water Street Coffee

Water Street believes that specialty coffee and hand-made food is both science and art, and they tinker until it’s perfect. Join the thousands of people who connect over full-flavored, Kalamazoo-roasted coffee and hand-made food every day.

When the studying and work has ended for the day, you can sit back, relax, and catch up with friends over a refreshing cocktail, smooth glass of wine, or cool local beer!

Try the Hibiscus Twist – made with Tito’s Vodka, lemon juice, freshly brewed Hibiscus Rooibos Iced Tea, and Lavender Syrup – made in house using locally grown lavender from Shades of Lavender Farm in Mattawan, Michigan.

The post Where to Drink Handcrafted Cocktails in Kalamazoo, Michigan appeared first on Discover Kalamazoo.

Source: Kalamazoo CVB