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Tuesday at Cass Café, diners will get a gingery, bubbly blast of flavor when biting into their Asian potstickers.
The chicken, vegetable or pork dumplings will be poached in a Detroit favorite, Vernors ginger ale, and paired with a cucumber salsa, also tossed in the classic beverage.
Cass Café is one of several Detroit restaurants this week that will be serving up special recipes with Vernors to celebrate the 150th birthday of the beloved ginger ale that was invented by Detroit pharmacist John Vernor in 1866.
Other restaurants participating include Batch Brewing Co., Broderick Grille, Ottava Via, Republic, Chartreuse, Mercury Burger Bar and Union Street.
"I'm a huge Vernors fan myself, being born and raised in Michigan," Cass Cafe executive chef Doug Calhoun said. "Who doesn't love Vernors?"
Calhoun said on Wednesday he plans to marinate Ahi Tuna in a Vernors and white wine vinegar mixture, char-gril the fish and pair it with a ginger Vernors cream sauce. The cafe will also be serving Boston Coolers, a drink made of Vernors and vanilla ice cream, throughout the week.
Stephen Roginson, the co-owner of Batch Brewing Company, said they will be brewing an alcoholic ginger beer on-site and cooking up a bread pudding with a Vernors reduction syrup and candied ginger on top.
"Vernors is one of the most storied brands to ever come out of Detroit," Roginson said. "It's a family favorite, we keep it in stock on our shelves."
Republic Tavern Detroit executive chef Sarah Welch said that instead of serving traditional bread with butter, they will be making a Vernors bread.
Chartruese executive chef Doug Hewitt said he has cooked with ginger ale for many years and is excited to take part in the celebration. He will be serving Vernors and whey caramel-glazed pork with a savory pancake and pickled summer peppers.
"Vernors was my favorite pop growing up and it still is," said Hewitt. "It's a Michigan staple."
