Detroit isn’t the only area in a craft distilling boom, with outfits popping up in seemingly every ZIP code. In fact, Southeast Michigan is now home to 78 distilleries. Many are serious about the Great Lakes State, sourcing a majority of their ingredients from local farms and making a point to use a variety of different grains in their vodka, gin, whiskey and other spirits. But others are taking a playful approach to the craft.

In the case of Detroit Speakeasy Weiss Distilling Co, the cocktail bar completely transforms its space with a new theme every few months to showcase the talents of the staff behind it. This summer’s “Weiss in the Wild” theme is a jungle adventure complete with flora, fauna and animal noises. Staffers even wear safari hats and glasses to match the theme.

From Grain to Glass: The Unique Process Behind Weiss Distilling Co. Spirits

While the theme doesn’t affect the quality of the cocktails, it adds an element of fun to the experience. For example, a few of the drink names are based on zoology, such as Topsy’s Revenge, a vodka-based cocktail with elderflower liqueur, cucumber, lemon juice, citric acid and lime bitters served in a tiki cup, or Grow A Girlfriend, a gin cocktail with rose amaro, cucumber, simple syrup, sourdough agave, lime and hellfire bitters — all topped with a chili salt rim.

The spring menu consists of 24 new, original recipe cocktails that are broken into categories for vodka, gin, rum and moonshine selections. There are also several spiritless mocktails and a selection of sodas made on-site.

Weiss Distilling Co.
34 E 14 Mile Rd, Clawson, MI 48017, United States
19294843932