If you are looking for a sweet weekend getaway before the hustle bustle of school days hits, I am going to give you a sneak peek of our stomping grounds, and proper ritual eats. I am humbling talking about my Midwestern roots that I lovingly call the mitten state. If you are a Michigander you will understand the draw of the sunsets over the lakes, the boutique shopping and perch fried to your liking dining spots. Michigan does boast massive groupies of breweries as well!
From the up-in-coming streets of Fennville to klomped around Holland, Michigan to our beloved Saugatuck – a small art inspired haven nestled along Lake Kalamazoo harbor that was voted one of America’s “Coolest Small Towns.” Saugatuck features boutique shopping, fine dining, boardwalks, and boats – and the infamous climb of Mt. Baldy has been a family favorite to visit since childhood.
When a cloudy day keeps you from your beach plans always make room for a jaunt to good old Saugatuck!
Land Shark has killer t-shirts and summer wear.
Ida Red’s Cottage – best breakfast place, with big homemade blueberry muffins. Michigan berries to boot!
First stop Kilwins fudge. Or ice cream. Or caramel apples. You pick.
Guaranteed best sunset over the dock. Total perfection.
These are just a few of our favorites, stay tuned and I will be making a To-Do Trail and Must-See’s in my Smitten with the Mitten future post. Always a nostalgic adventure every time we visit!
Summer Salute Sail Away Cocktail
Yield 1 serving
What better way to salute summer but with this fall-inspired drink, perfect to sip wrapped in a wool blanket on the dock of a sailboat cruising the coast of Lake Michigan. During August, the hustle bustle in the orchards surrounding Saugatuck is a bushel and a peck ready for seasonal visitors. It's only natural to think apples, crisp and tart and concocted so your cheeks will blush with excitement. This stuff is strong, but not as strong as the plum wine my grandmother had fermenting under the kitchen sink. So sip responsibly.
Ingredients
3/4 oz. Bonded Apple Brandy
1 oz. Canar Liqueur
3/4 oz. Lemon
3/4 oz. Honey Syrup
2 oz. Stone IPA
Honey Syrup:
1 1/2 cups honey
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the honey, water, lemon juice and lemon zest. Cook over medium heat stirring occasionally until boiling. Continue to boil until the mixture is reduced by a fourth.
Add all ingredients to the shaker and shake hard without ice to flatten the beer. Add ice and shake again for about 10 seconds. Strain over fresh ice in an old-fashioned glass and top with fresh IPA. Garnish with grapefruit twist.
Courses Cocktail
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