With Paczki Day (also known as Fat Tuesday) less than a month away on Tuesday, February 13, Detroit City Distillery (DCD) has announced the return of its popular celebratory spirit, Pączki Day Vodka, which will go on sale on Friday, January 26 at 8 am online. Also, this year, DCD will increase supply of Pączki Day Vodka available for direct-to-consumer shipping in select states nationwide via its new partner, Seelbach's, an online distributor of craft spirits.

This year’s release will once again be made with fresh raspberry pączki from Hamtramck, Michigan’s iconic New Palace Bakery. Bottles are $35 each. Customers can pick up their online orders directly on January 26 at 4 p.m. at DCD's Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle Street in Detroit's Eastern Market.

“It’s been amazing to see what started as an experiment to make 20 bottles for just friends and family six years ago became a tradition within Michigan’s Polish community and expanded to families and communities across the nation,” says J.P. Jerome, master distiller and co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “We’ve had people travel from all over the country, visiting us here in Detroit, just to get their hands on this once-a-year spirit so they can celebrate with family back home on Pączki Day, also known as Fat Tuesday.”

Pączki Day Vodka is made by distilling fresh raspberry pączki in 100 percent potato vodka from Poland and Michigan in a 500-gallon copper pot still. The result is a crystal-clear one-of-a-kind spirit that is smooth, buttery and has a distinct raspberry finish. It can be enjoyed chilled over ice, mixed in a cocktail or as a pączki chaser.

“We like to think of it as a Pączki Day Party in a bottle,” Jerome says. “At 88 proof, it’s ultra-smooth, and you can really taste the raspberry and buttery pastry of the pączki.”

On Saturday, February 10 from 10 am to 11 pm, DCD will once again host its annual Pączki Day Party at its Tasting Room in Detroit’s Eastern Market, indoors and outdoors, with limited capacity and free admission. The outdoor patio area encompasses an entire city block. Food, including Polish favorites, will be available for sale, along with PDV cocktails and DCD’s regular menu of spirits.