Cider in fall, hot cocoa in winter & craft cocktails year-round—find the best local sips to match every Ann Arbor season.
Ann Arbor’s drink culture shifts with Michigan’s seasons, each temperature change bringing new flavors to your cup. Local spots craft beverages that tell stories through steam and ice, transforming simple ingredients into memorable sips.
Where to Enjoy Your Seasonal Drink
1. Cozy Coffee Shops
- Liberty Street spots offer window seats perfect for people-watching
- Campus locations tend to be quieter during semester breaks
- Independent shops often feature local art and live music
- Morning hours provide freshest pastry selections
2. Lively Cocktail Bars
- Basement bars offer year-round temperature control
- Rooftop venues shine in warmer months
- Historic buildings house unique atmospheres
- Kitchen hours vary; check ahead for food service
3. Pubs & Cider Houses
- Traditional pubs excel during winter months
- Cider houses peak during apple season
- Beer gardens transform in summer
- Family-friendly options available before evening hours
4. Liquor Shops
- Local stores stock regional specialties
- Staff recommendations prove invaluable
- Seasonal selections rotate frequently
- Special orders available for unique items
Coffee: A Year-Round Essential
Fall Flavors & Winter Warmers
1. Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea
Their seasonal menu reads like comfort food in liquid form. The pumpkin spice latte uses real pumpkin puree and house-made syrup, while winter’s peppermint mocha blends organic chocolate with natural mint. Each location has its own personality, but Liberty Street wins for cozy vibes.
Pro Tips: Ask baristas about secret menu items. Morning hours (7-9 AM) offer freshest pastry pairings.
2. RoosRoast Coffee
This quirky spot balances serious coffee with playful attitude. Fall brings their maple-infused roasts, and winter’s “RoosRocks” blend combines dark chocolate notes with subtle spice. The staff turns coffee education into entertainment.
Pro Tips: Try their seasonal cold brew flights. Subscribe to their newsletter for early release info.
Spring & Summer Picks
3. Comet Coffee
Nickel’s Arcade’s hidden gem approaches coffee scientifically. Their 18-hour cold brew process creates smooth summer sips, while spring brings single-origin pour-overs highlighting floral notes.
Pro Tips: Visit before 10 AM for best selection. Window seats offer prime people-watching.
4. Vertex Coffee Roasters
Zero-waste meets maximum flavor here. Spring features lavender-infused drinks, while summer brings creative iced concoctions using local ingredients. Their outdoor seating transforms into a community hub.
Pro Tips: Bring your own cup for discounts. Check their social media for daily specials.
Cider: Celebrate Ann Arbor’s Apple Harvest
Fall Flavors & Winter Warmers
5. Dexter Cider Mill
Michigan’s oldest continuously operating cider mill creates autumn in a cup. Their traditional press method produces rich, complex cider that tastes different each week as apple varieties change. Hot spiced cider becomes liquid therapy during winter months.
Pro Tips: Weekday mornings avoid crowds. Buy half-gallons to freeze for year-round use.
6. Grizzly Peak Brewing Company
Century-old stone walls house modern cider experiments. Their peach cider bridges summer and fall, while winter brings warming spiced varieties. The rotating tap list keeps regulars guessing.
Pro Tips: Thursday releases showcase new flavors. Happy hour includes cider flights.
Spring & Summer Picks
7. Bløm Meadworks
These cider artists craft light, refreshing options perfect for warm weather. Their tap list changes weekly, featuring everything from bone-dry traditional to fruit-infused experiments. The tasting room feels like a friend’s cool garage.
Pro Tips: Sunday afternoons offer relaxed tastings. Join their mead club for exclusive releases.
8. Black Pearl
By day, seafood spot. By night, cider cocktail laboratory. Their signature Black Pearl combines blueberry vodka with house-spiced cider and elderflower. The bar program transforms seasonal ingredients into liquid art.
Pro Tips: Bar seats provide the best entertainment. Happy hour includes creative cider cocktails.
Craft Beers and Cocktails: Sipping Through the Seasons
9. Mothfire Brewing Co.
This brewery proves craft beer pairs perfectly with cozy vibes. Wood-fired pizza complements their seasonal brews, while the mocktail menu deserves equal attention. The tap list rotates with Michigan’s harvest.
Pro Tips: Join their mailing list for new release announcements. Pizza pairings enhance beer flavors.
10. Arbor Brewing Company Session Room
High ceilings and 70+ beers create an inviting winter refuge. The comfort food menu matches their robust seasonal brews. Local ingredients feature prominently in both food and drink.
Pro Tips: Happy hour includes seasonal flight specials. Check their event calendar for beer releases.
11. The Last Word
This is an underground cocktail den that emphasizes seasonal ingredients and classic techniques. Winter brings spiced whiskey creations, while fall features apple and pear infusions. Bartenders craft drinks like poets write verses.
Pro Tips: Trust the bartender’s seasonal recommendations. Early evenings offer quieter atmosphere.
12. Mani Osteria & Bar
Italian hospitality meets craft cocktails. Their mulled wine recipe changes yearly but always warms the soul. The bar program mirrors the kitchen’s commitment to seasonal ingredients.
Pro Tips: Bar seats provide best service. Reserve ahead for weekend evenings.
Spring & Summer Cocktails
13. Jolly Pumpkin Café & Brewery
The patio transforms into Ann Arbor’s favorite summer hangout, with locals claiming tables for hours. Fresh herbs and fruits from local farms define their warm-weather cocktails, while their signature sour beers shine year-round. The kitchen’s seasonal menu complements the drink list perfectly, especially their wood-fired pizzas and house-made pickles.
Pro Tips: Weekday afternoons offer prime patio spots. Try their beer-cocktail hybrids.
14. The Earle
This underground wine cellar atmosphere creates the perfect backdrop for serious cocktail craft. Spring brings herb-infused gin creations using botanicals from nearby farms, while summer features fresh citrus concoctions that could double as artwork. Live jazz adds the perfect soundtrack, and their seasonal wine list deserves equal attention.
Pro Tips: Live jazz enhances the experience. Their “Spring Spritz” changes monthly.
15. Biercamp
Artisanal meets approachable in this unique spot where house-brewed beers complement their impressive meat program. The indoor-outdoor space adapts seamlessly to Michigan’s mercurial weather, offering cozy refuge or open-air socializing as needed. Their experimental small-batch brews often incorporate ingredients from their own smoker.
Pro Tips: Thursday releases offer first tastes. Sandwich-beer pairings create perfect meals.
16. hear.say brewing
Theater meets brewing artistry in this innovative space where performances and pints share equal billing. The taphouse and theater spaces create distinct but complementary vibes, while their ever-changing beer list tells stories through flavor. Special event nights combine both worlds, with beer releases timed to show openings.
Pro Tips: Check performance schedules. Early evening offers quieter tastings.
Spirits, Vodka, Whiskey and Wine
17. Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
This grain-to-glass distillery crafts spirits using Michigan-sourced ingredients. Their seasonal gins showcase local botanicals, from winter spruce tips to summer wildflowers, while their coffee liqueur blends locally roasted beans with house-made spirits. The tasting room offers both guided flights and craft cocktails featuring their products.
Pro Tips: Tasting room offers education. Seasonal releases sell out quickly.
18. HOMES Brewery
Named for the Great Lakes, HOMES creates innovative brews that capture Michigan’s spirit. Their famous Smooj Hard Smoothies lead a diverse drink menu including experimental beers and craft spirits. The Jackson Avenue location pairs Asian-fusion food with house beverages in a space that feels welcoming despite its industrial size.
Pro Tips: The Hitasu, Dub Tropica, and strawberry banana slushy are must-tries.
Tips for Making the Most of Ann Arbor’s Seasonal Drink Scene
- Look for limited-time offerings
- Explore new places
- Take advantage of happy hours
- Visit during off-peak times
- Subscribe to newsletters of the spots
- Leverage social media
Final Toast
Ann Arbor’s drink scene rewards the curious. Each season brings new flavors worth discovering, from spring’s floral notes to winter’s warming spices. Start with what interests you most, then let the city’s talented beverage crafters guide your journey through the seasons. Cheers to your next favorite sip!
