A Once-a-Year Vodka Worth Making Room For

Detroit City Distillery creates small-batch, artisanal whiskey, gin, and vodka using local ingredients sourced from farms near their distillery and tasting room in Detroit’s Eastern Market. But around this time of year, they’re best known for one thing: Pączki Day Vodka.

Despite being one of our favorite, and most unique, vodkas here at Seelbach’s, its tie to Pączki Day gives us a very narrow window to share it.

Pączki Day, or Fat Tuesday, is a Polish tradition centered around enjoying pączki, rich, filled pastries. Over the years, Detroit City Distillery has built a cult following for their once-a-year Pączki Day Vodka, a spirit infused with these beloved, locally made pastries.

What started as a small experiment of just 20 bottles for friends and family has grown into a must-have annual release, especially within Michigan’s Polish community, and now well beyond it. 

What makes it truly unique is how it’s made. This vodka is distilled with real raspberry-filled, glazed pączki sourced from New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck. The base is a blend of 100% potato vodka from Poland and Michigan, distilled together in a 500-gallon copper still.

Whatever you think you know about vodka, expect that to be challenged. Grab a bottle now so you have it in hand for Pączki Day on February 12.