Andrea Bonaventura is many things to many people. To some she's now-defunct Real Detroit Weekly's resident juggalette, to others she's the spunky bartender who cut her teeth at the Painted Lady, and to still others she's just a mill for the funny, insane comments that roll with ease off her tongue.
While she's worked at other Detroit favorites like the Two Way Inn and Garden Bowl, these days Bonaventura tends bar at Hamtramck's New Dodge Lounge. Even when she isn't behind the bar, she's usually hanging around somewhere inside the massive drinking establishment. On the rare occasion that she's not found inside the haunt, she's either watching cheesy horror movies, drawing, or most probably, drinking.
Her adventures in bartending include concocting infused spirits. She's made watermelon-infused vodka on a special occasion or two, as well as habanero-infused tequila, which she mixes up with a dangerously delicious Bloody Maria. When we stopped in last week, Bonaventura wasn't messing around. She poured us a Hell City, which is her housemade habanero-infused vodka. It's a stiff shot to take, but delicious nonetheless. Beware, though; she says she likes to serve this tame-looking shot up to misbehaving customers. Trust us — that would be quite a shock.
Drink Recipe
“Hell City” 1.5 ounces habanero-infused vodka served with pepper rim and a pepper for garnish
