Paczki day is just around the corner, but the jelly filled donuts have been in grocery stores for weeks. But along with the season comes the annual limited release of Paczki Day Vodka.
The spirit which is available online was created as an experiment more than a half-dozen years ago by the team at Detroit City Distillery (DCD) in Eastern Market.
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Each year, the distillery launches online sales of the vodka infused with local raspberry-filled paczki, a Polish pastry enjoyed on Fat Tuesday, celebrated Feb. 17 this year, and the day before Lent. Paczki, which is the plural form of the pastry, are ultra-rich, with a variety of fruit or cream or custard fillings coated with powdered sugar or a sweet glaze. The pastries are known as a sweet indulgence before the Lenten season, a time of reflection and fasting for the Catholic faith.
Online sales of Paczki Day Vodka infused with raspberry-flavored paczki are available here.
Available this year is Orange Cream Paczki Day Vodka and the distillery’s new Home Town Poland X Detroit Vodka — a blend of Michigan and Polish potato vodkas.
All bottles, 750 milliliters, are $35 each and can be bought online at detroitcitydistillery.com for pickup at its Eastern Market tasting room at 2462 Riopelle, Detroit.
The DCD is hosting its annual Paczki Day Party on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. The party takes place at 100 Proof, 1000 Gratiot Ave. in Detroit, the distillery’s new event space. It runs from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. indoors and outdoors. There will be live music, Polish ice luge, ice carving, merch, an appearance by Mr. Paczki Head and food by Srodek’s Campau Quality Sausage Co., along with other Polish favorites available. Admission is free.