Looking for a new beverage to drink during the next U-M game? The LSA Wire asked four Michigan mixologists to design a drink they thought worthy of the name “Wolverine.”

Think you have the best recipe? Leave it in the comment section below.

Spirits of a Wolverine

Created by Cris Hoogerhyde and Lucy Carnaghi
Zingerman’s Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor

Ingredients:
1/2 fresh peach or 1 oz. peach nectar
1 1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
1 1/2 oz. of New Holland whisky
Regan’s Orange Bitters
Sparkling white wine

Directions:
Muddle peach with Grand Marnier and whisky. Stir with ice. Flame Regan’s Orange Bitters into a cocktail glass using a spray/mist bottle and a lighter. Strain mixture into the glass. Fill with a Michigan sparkling white wine.

The Wolverine Dilemna

The Wolverine Dilemna

Created by Dave Kwiatkowski (U-M ’00), owner and bartender
The Sugar House Bar
2130 Michigan Avenue, Detroit

Ingredients:
A young, 100 percent blue agave tequila, such as Campo Azul or El Jimador Blanco
1 1/2 oz. fine corn whiskey or bourbon
1/2 oz. tawny port
1 tsp. vanilla infused agave nectar*
3 dashes each of Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters
4 swaths of lemon peel

Directions:
In an old-fashioned glass, pour the tequila and swirl, allowing the tequila to coat the glass. In a separate mixing tin or pint glass, combine whiskey or bourbon, tawny port, vanilla infused agave nectar, and Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters. Add a generous amount of cracked ice to your mixing vessel and stir for at least 30 seconds (longer if you’re using a pint glass). Strain the contents into the educated glass. Twist four swaths of lemon peel over the glass, allowing the oils to mist the surface and rim, and drop the last peel into the drink to garnish.  

Tip:
*To quickly prepare a vanilla-infused agave nectar at home, thoroughly mix one teaspoon of high-quality natural vanilla extract with 11-12 ounces of agave nectar.

The Drink: “Winged Wolverine”

The Drink: “Winged Wolverine”

Created by Sean Paul Mankowski
Vinology Wine Bar and Restaurant
110 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

Ingredients:
1 finger muddled blueberries
1/2 shot Southern Comfort
1/2 shot Brandy
1 shot Blueberry Stoli Vodka
1 shot Chambord
1 packet of sugar

Directions:
Shake with ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with three lemon wedges for a winged helmet homage.

Tip:
Make a “Winged Wolverine” for future alumni by swapping the alcohol for Sprite and keeping the blueberries and lemon slices.

The Drink: “Wolverine’s Bite”

The Drink: “Wolverine’s Bite”

Created by David Landrum
Cafe Felix
204 S. Main St., Ann Arbor

Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz.  El Tesoro Anejo Tequila
1 oz.  Hangar One Chipotle Vodka
1/2 oz.  Fernet Branca
2 drops Emile Pernot Veiux Pontarlier Absinthe
1/2 oz.  Agave Simple
3 dashes Xocolatl Mole Bitters
Grapefruit peel

Directions:
Stir all ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with grapefruit oil.

Tip:
For the grapefruit oil, cut a swath of fresh grapefruit rind with a standard vegetable peeler.  Hold the peel lengthwise across the glass and pinch quickly to expel the oils from the fruit into the glass.