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Honey has been a beloved ingredient for centuries, prized for its natural sweetness and versatility in both cooking and cocktails. Across Metro Detroit, chefs and bartenders are harnessing the power of honey to elevate their dishes and drinks with a rich, floral depth that only this golden nectar can provide. From honey butter biscuits to infused cocktails, here’s a look at where you can find some of the best honey creations in the area…
BELLE’S LOUNGE
161 Vester Avenue, Ferndale
Belle’s Lounge offers a wide range of cocktails that are both elegant and refreshing, exclusively featuring spirits made by their distillery, Valentine Distilling. As for honey-infused options, The Maiden’s Muse is a drink featuring a delightful blend of vodka and citrus, creating a smooth, slightly tart cocktail with a hint of sweetness from orange liqueur and lime. Another standout is the Beige Derby, which combines gin and grapefruit for a modern take on the classic Brown Derby cocktail. For something a bit more floral, the Belle’s Blossom pairs vodka with honey and rose liqueur, while the Venetian Spritz offers a honeyed twist on the traditional Italian cocktail with cucumber-infused vodka, housemade limoncello, and soda. For mocktail choices, check out More Than Beets The Eye and Ruby Reigns for light, refreshing, non-alcoholic options. These honey-infused drinks are perfect for sipping in the lounge’s relaxed, stylish atmosphere.
HOLY CLUCK
25827 West Warren Street, Dearborn Heights
Holy Cluck has quickly become a local favorite for its chicken sandwiches, and one of their standout menu items is the Hot Honey Butta chicken sandwich, which features crispy fried chicken topped with smoked cheddar cheese, pickles, and Holy Cluck’s hot honey butta. The sweetness of the honey enhances the savory, spiced flavor of the sauce, creating a perfect balance of sweet and savory. Originally starting as a “pop-up food truck during Ramadan,” Holy Cluck’s popularity skyrocketed, with customers flocking to try their sandwiches, impressively selling “between 400 and 600 sandwiches in just two hours,” according to Ali Bazzi. He shares, “Initially, our menu featured just two chicken sandwiches and some fries, but we now offer a diverse range of chicken sandwiches, chicken shawarma, and even smash burgers.” With another location on the way and its food truck, Holy Cluck is bringing its honey-coated creations to more across Metro Detroit.
CAFE SOUS TERRE
445 West Forest Avenue, Detroit
Cafe Sous Terre in Detroit is great for a morning coffee or a late-night drink. It features the seasonal King Bee cocktail, a crowd-pleaser that showcases the natural sweetness of honey. This drink, made with cognac, honeycomb, and lemon, strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart. It’s a fresh take on the classic Gold Rush cocktail, bringing in the warmth of cognac with the delicate floral notes of honey. Another honey-flavored favorite is their Brown Derby, which combines bourbon, honey, and grapefruit, making it a light yet flavorful option for cocktail enthusiasts. If you’re looking to infuse honey into your coffee instead, Cafe Sous Terre makes its own syrup that can be added to its beverages.
COMO’S
22812 Woodward Avenue, Ferndale
At Como’s, the pizza is a must-order. Joshua J, for one, features spicy honey drizzle, pepperoni, and jalapeñoes, and is a go-to. The Wimp is also popular, with Calabrian chilies, jalapeño, banana peppers, and spicy drizzle, too. There is also a Vegan Wimp, which replaces the hot honey with a homemade spicy version that is bee-free. No Bees Were Harmed is also a favorite, as this cocktail combines Bacardi Mango Chile, pineapple, spicy vegan honey, and Tajin. If pizza isn’t on your radar for brunch, you can keep things light with the yogurt bowl, with honey and vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and Pepita dark chocolate granola. This simple yet flavorful dish highlights honey’s natural sweetness, making it the perfect way to start your day. Como’s commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients shines through in its menus, and its creative use of honey is just one of the many reasons this spot is a favorite.
JIM BRADY’S
1214 South Main Street, Royal Oak
Jim Brady’s is another spot where honey-infused cocktails and dishes shine. With over 70 years of Metro Detroit history, this spot is known for its comforting yet elevated menu. For a starter, the honey-whipped ricotta is a must, as you’ll get grilled sourdough alongside honeycomb and bee pollen. As for beverages, the French 75 is a go-to, with gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and champagne, with a sugar rim. On draft, you can also find Blood Orange Honey, a smooth, citrusy Cheboygan wheat ale. This would pair well with one of Jim Brady’s burgers, like The Inferno Burger or the Charlie Brown, named after a long-time regular from the original 7 Mile location.
MILK & FROTH
535 Griswold Street, Detroit
328 South Main Street, Ann Arbor
For a sweet treat, head to Milk & Froth, where they’ve been known to create artisanal ice cream made in small batches. Offering classic dairy and vegan options, Milk & Froth makes its ice cream from scratch in its Eastern Market kitchen, keeping production simple and local, and keeping out pre-manufactured mixes, artificial flavors, colors, and more. The Honeycomb is a must, with raw honey-infused custard and chunks of homemade honeycomb brittle for a delicious treat powered by this delicacy. Other delectable flavors include Sea Salt Butter Cake, Malt Cherry Chocolate, and Matcha Pistachio.
