The Michigan Vodka is best known for spectacular beer and wine, but the artisanal spirits produced across the state are making a name for themselves as well. Whether you prefer your drinks straight or mixed, a bottle of a Michigan-made spirit can enhance any happy hour.
Michigan Vodka
Rifino Valentine wanted a great dirty martini and was frustrated that the big-name vodkas on the market weren’t doing the trick. So he opened his own distillery and used Old World techniques and equipment to produce what has become a national award-winning brand. His Ferndale-based operation is at the forefront of a renaissance in small or artisanal distilleries.
In this week’s Top Ten, we celebrate local spirits distilled from Michigan ingredients and made by passionate craftspeople who take pride in their work. From a whiskey sourced from a historic farm to a vodka that combines the flavors of fresh, local paczki, these spirits are a welcome addition to your bar cart.
Featuring locally-sourced ingredients from the Grand Traverse region, this vodka is smooth and has a hint of sweetness. The founders partnered with Round Barn to distill the vodka, which includes potatoes from family farms in northern Michigan and Poland as well as wheat from Send Brothers Farms in Williamsburg. The final product is a one-of-a-kind spirit perfect for cocktails, or enjoy it with a perfectly handmade paczki.
