Do you think all the good cocktail bars are in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids? You would be wrong. Michigan has an incredible insurgence of amazing cocktail talent and the Lansing area is no stranger to this. It’s been a long time since I have had a serious cocktail “research” night near the capital. In fact, it has been over 11 years. The Art of the Cocktail event, hosted by the Greater Detroit USBG Chapter and the Eli & Edythe Broad Art Museum of Michigan State University at the Red Haven is the perfect opportunity to explore the tastes of the area.
Let’s step back for a second. Why did the museum partner up with the guild? If you have been to the campus in the past few years, you might have noticed the recent-ish addition of the new museum building. Some people find the sharp angles and modernistic metal exterior a departure from the classic buildings of MSU. I find it a welcome exploration of materials and contrast. It only makes sense that an art museum would explore the bounds of a collegiate structure. The structure makes you think and question. Do you question where the common things around you come from? I’m personally fascinated in the framework that allowed our favorite cocktails to come to be.
The team at the museum same passion for knowledge and wants to share it with you. They are putting on a series of events that find art in accessible places such as gardening, BBQ, tea, coffee, beer and the humble cocktail. The Art of the Cocktail is part of the series and happens on 4/30 at Red Haven. The board of the Greater Detroit Chapter of the USBG will lead the audience in creating 5 drinks that exemplify the history, science and, of course, art of the cocktail. Key fundamentals of cocktails taught at the event include; bitters, food pairing and balance.
While the group can’t teach you everything there is to know about cocktails, they can give you the tools to be curious and start your path of exploration.
The event will feature light food, a welcome cocktail and spirit sampling which is covered in the ticket price. They can be purchased here and are very limited.
I’ll be attending the event and I hope to see you there.
Budmo!