Our Roots

Back in 2012, friends Michele & Beth imagined a sparkling drink that would capture the character of Michigan's Fruit belt.

We blend juice from fruit, honey and bitters from the orchard for a tart, aromatic and refreshing tonic.

Pressed, not Processed

Fresh-pressed fruit
with nothing stripped away and nothing added.

Functional Botanicals

Plants with a purpose (and great taste)

Thoughtfully Sourced

Local ingredients
grown with care, from people we know.

What's in our Orchard Bitters?

Plucked from the orchard, our bitters blend combines flavor, aroma, functionality and poetry to Fruitbelt. Bee balm promotes relaxation, while linden buds add a touch of sweetness. Black walnut offers earthy depth and cleansing properties, and spice bush brings a warming spice. Rose hips and staghorn sumac brighten the blend with tartness and antioxidants, while aronia berries provide rich tannins. Wild cherry bark and angelica root support digestion and breath. Lastly, quassia bark delivers a clean, assertive bitterness, making this tonic both refreshing and restorative.
Fruitbelt Delivered Fruitbelt Near Me
What is Michigan's 'Fruit Belt'?
The "Fruit Belt" is a stretch of land along the Great Lakes known for its rich soils, rolling orchards, and microclimate magic. That's where we grow, gather, and can every drop of Fruitbelt.
What's in a can?
Our drinks come in a 7.5 oz can — an authentic single serving — with just 45 calories and 14 grams of sugar, all derived from the juice of freshly pressed fruit, verjus, a drizzle of honey, and our own blend of botanical bitters. No tricks, just trees.
Where do we get our fruit?
We search high and low for the best tart fruit, which have antioxidant polyphenols in abundance, for our tonics. Some of the most potent and healthful fruits — aronia and elderberry — grow wild in our region, but are not yet commercially cultivated. Responding to demand from artisan chefs and drink makers, some growers are beginning to pioneer these nutrient-packed and flavorful fruits as niche crops.
Beyond cherry and apple, we aim to bring 'forgotten' fruit crops back to Michigan and the greater Midwest landscape. By working with farmers who are willing to grow them and fruit processors who are willing to convert the fruit in small batches, and by heralding the unique taste and benefits of these fruits, we hope to encourage the widespread revival of indigenous crops, enhancing biodiversity and restoring the soil. To learn more about 'forgotten fruits,' click here.
What makes Fruitbelt special?
Rooted in the orchards of Michigan, Fruitbelt collaborates with fruit growers throughout Michigan to source the best tart fruit and encourage the re-introduction of 'forgotten' crops to our fruit-growing landscape. In fusing a variety of 'orchard botanicals' into our bitters, we honor the visible and invisible processes and species who sustain and enliven the orchard.

why fruitbelt

Fruitbelt exists to make tonics everyone can enjoy. We craft each can with the best ingredients of the season, sourced close to home and treated with care. Thoughtful, refreshing, and rooted in the orchard.

Two cans of Fruitbelt Apple Marigold sparkling tonic held by hands with a floral background.