H2Only – the new water-only tasting room on Third St. in Midtown Detroit – has been going gangbusters since opening last week.
“We knew people wanted a place where all they could get was water,” says owner Jan Natinsky-Kickenen, who also runs Strong, the all-broth restaurant a few blocks away. “Other places claimed to be all water, but they hedged their bets with candy corn, apple slices, pimentos…”
Here, all you can get is regular tap water – served 42 different ways, with each different cocktail named after a Detroit street.
“If you’re in a hurry this isn’t the place for you,” says Natinsky-Kickenen, noting that some drinks may take two hours or more to prepare.
Most find the wait amazingly worth it.
Here’s how they make just one of their specialties: The 34th Street
Ingredients: 1 cup of water; 1 one-ounce glass of water; 1 seven-inch beaker of water; 1 empty drinking glass; eye dropper.
Instructions: Heat cup of water over single flame to 103 degrees; Pour half of cup into drinking glass; Allow other half to heat to 115 degrees, then fall to 98 degrees; Using eye dropper, place six drops from second half cup into drinking glass; Stir clockwise 10 seconds; Stir counter clockwise 18 seconds; Shake 3-inch beaker for 60 seconds, pour into drinking glass; Using eye dropper, place 11 drops from second half cup into drinking glass; DISPOSE IMMEDIATELY of unused half cup of water; Allow drinking glass to sit for 2 minutes, 20 seconds; Serve.
