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By: Mike DeWitt

While Grand Rapids is known as Beer City, USA, it’s not the only beverage worth consuming around the city.

Experience Grand Rapids is celebrating Michigan craft spirits with the first ever Cocktail Week GR from November 11-22, and Ganders at DoubleTree by Hilton is ready for the opportunity to show off its newly remodeled restaurant, Michigan inspired menu options, and 3 specialty cocktails perfectly paired for the restaurant’s appetizers.

About that remodel, Ganders replaced the Spinnaker seafood restaurant with a new, causal dining flavor focused on Michigan based products and meals made from scratch. Find your spot at a table, a high-top, a booth, or pony up to the bar if you’d like!

While the inside renovation is inviting, the food will keep you coming back for more.

Ganders is offering two shared-plate appetizers during Cocktail Week to choose from. The first is a roasted red pepper hot sauce shrimp risotto. “All of the ingredients, from the arborio rice in the risotto to the bliss hot pepper sauce, to even the shrimp from a local farm in Okemos, is all locally produced,” explained Executive Chef William Read.

The second appetizer Ganders is offering is a twist on their specialty Ganders tots, with bacon and Michigan bleu cheese, and served with a beer-braised pork belly. Talk about delicious!

However, it’s not called Cocktail Week because of the food! Ganders has put together three specialty cocktails to go with their delectable appetizers.

First up is the Michigan Mule, a take on a Moscow Mule. It starts with a copper mug – do not forget the copper mug! – some New Holland Dutchess Vokda, and a smooth ginger beer to wash it down nice and easy.

Next up on the list is a New Holland Zeppelin blend ol’ fashioned. If you like it strong, this is your drink.

Last, but certainly not least, is a Bloody Mary that pairs up well with the bacon Gander tots appetizer because they’re both bacon infused! That’s right, the Bloody Mary is made with bacon vodka from Chelsea, Michigan! This also happens to be the personal favorite of restaurant manager Tatiana Lamarr, “I love Bloody Mary’s, it’s always been a profile for me that I’ve enjoyed. I love the addition of the bacon vodka. I think people are going to be very pleased with it.”

Come visit Ganders at 4747 28th St. SE during Cocktail Week GR and can delight in a wonderfully crafted appetizer and two Michigan inspired cocktails for only $25.