Detroit, MI

I was finally able to knock down the hometown Old Fashioned visit. Along with my son & his wife, we hit Sugar House in the Corktown area of downtown Detroit. Sugar House has its own special vibe- dimly lit, plenty of space, and excellent staff. This bar is another example of how Detroit has enjoyed a resurgence over the last few years. The bar & restaurant scene has so many great choices now that it’s hard to choose.

Their list of craft cocktails at Sugar House was extensive, including many Old Fashioned choices. I went for a Sugar House original, The Blackfoot Old Fashioned. This is one of their most popular original cocktails. They get it. They use a rye, instead of a bourbon, as the spicy dryness of the rye works well with the sweetness of the maple syrup and the warm baking spice flavors of the bitters and allspice. Their Knob Creek Single Barrel was the perfect choice to elevate this classic cocktail. They already knew to use a 100 proof selection—no request or explanation needed.

They use 2 oz. of their Knob Creek Single Barrel, 3/8 oz. of Michigan Maple Syrup, 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters, 2 dashes of St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram & a flamed orange peel. They mix it in a rocks glass with a large crystal clear cube and gently stir to chill and dilute the drink. It had a very refreshing taste. I’ll put it way up there on my journeys.

I’m proud of my hometown city and honestly, if you love a good comeback story, you should visit. Add Sugar House to your list of stops while there, with so many interesting offerings you’ll be happy you did.