Detroit City Distillery’s Orange Cream Pączki Vodka: Learn How It’s Made

Detroit City Distillery's Orange Cream Pączki Vodka was officially released last Friday just in time for Pączki Day on February 13th. The release is ahead of their Pączki Day Party on February 10, 2024.

Pączki's are Polish pastries, usually fruit or custard filled and topped with powdered sugar, glaze or icing. The origin was to use up all of the lard, sugar, butter and eggs before Lent. Which is how pączki's originated.

Pączki Day is celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is also the same day as Fat Tuesday. Hamtramck is one of the most densely populated Polish areas in the country, and that is why Pączki Day is so popular in Detroit.

Six years ago Detroit City Distillery's head distiller, Steve Orzechowski, had a crazy idea to throw Raspberry pączki's into the still with Polish vodka. Which was how the original idea came to be.

The first year, they made 20 bottles for family, and six years later they're producing 20,000 bottles for sale.

New Palace Bakery, makes the pączki's, which are used to make the vodka recently started making an orange cream. Which is how the new flavor was introduced. Detroit City Distillery's Orange Cream Pączki Vodka is available to be purchased for the first time this year and can be purchased here.

Detroit City Distillery's Pączki Day Party is the Saturday before Pączki Day from 10 am - 10 pm. So people who can't party on a Tuesday to attend. The event will be held at their tasting room, 2462 Riopelle St. in Detroit. They'll have Faygo, Hamtramck bakeries and restaurants and a block long SHOT SKI at the event.

Detroit City Distillery's Orange Cream Pączki Vodka can be used in some cool ways, like this Creamsicle Float:

RSVP to the Pączki Day Party here.

Hey there! Let's talk about Paczki Day in Detroit - the one day of the year when everyone forgets their diet and indulges in these delicious Polish pastries.

If you haven't tried a paczki yet, you're missing out! They're basically like jelly donuts on steroids - rich, fluffy dough filled with fruity or creamy goodness and coated in sugar. And Detroiters take their paczki seriously - we're talking lines out the door of bakeries starting at the crack of dawn.

But it's not just about the pastries - Paczki Day is a cultural phenomenon in Detroit. With a large Polish community in the area, the day is a celebration of their heritage and traditions. You'll see parades, live music, and other events throughout the city, showcasing the diversity and vibrancy of Detroit's culture.

People take the day off work and school, and businesses shut down early to make sure everyone has a chance to grab a paczki and join in the fun. And let's be real - who wouldn't want a day off to eat pastries and party?

If you're planning on joining in the festivities, make sure to come hungry and wear stretchy pants - these pastries are not for the faint of heart. And be prepared to wait in line - but trust us, it's worth it.

So if you're in the Detroit area on Fat Tuesday, don't miss out on the chance to experience Paczki Day. It's a day filled with delicious food, fun events, and a whole lot of love for the Motor City's Polish heritage.

Here's a list of places in Metro Detroit to grab those tasty treats!

New Palace Bakery in Hamtramck is definitely worth a visit if you're looking for some delicious paczkis. It's a beloved institution in the area and has been making paczkis for over 50 years. Their paczkis are known for their light and fluffy texture and come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, custard, and blueberry.
Address:
9833 Joseph Campau Ave, Hamtramck, MI 48212

If you're in Hamtramck and looking for some delicious paczkis, the Polish Village Cafe is a great place to check out. This restaurant is a local favorite for its authentic Polish cuisine, including its famous paczkis. Their paczkis are freshly made in-house and come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and apricot

Address: 2990 Yemans St, Hamtramck, MI 48212

The West Warren Bakery in Detroit is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. Located in the city's Mexicantown neighborhood, the bakery is known for its delicious, freshly made paczkis in a variety of flavors. Some of the popular paczki flavors at West Warren Bakery include raspberry, custard, and chocolate, but they also offer other flavors like lemon, blueberry, and apple.

Address: 15708 W Warren Ave, Detroit

The Donut Cutter in Berkley is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned bakery has been serving the Berkley community for over 30 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made baked goods, including their famous paczkis. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, lemon, and cream cheese. They also offer a gluten-free paczki option for those with dietary restrictions.

Address: 28173 Woodward Ave., Berkley

Avon Donuts in Pontiac is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned bakery has been serving the Pontiac community for over 30 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made paczkis. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, custard, and cream cheese. They also offer a variety of specialty paczkis, including blueberry and apple cinnamon.

Address: 45324 Woodward Ave., Pontiac

Chene Modern Bakery is a popular spot in Detroit for fresh and delicious baked goods. The bakery has been around for over 50 years and has a loyal following in the community.In addition to traditional baked goods like bread and cookies, Chene Modern Bakery is also known for its paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and cream cheese.

Address: 17041 W. Warren Ave., Detroit

The Family Donut Shop in Hamtramck is a beloved spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned bakery has been serving the community for over 40 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made baked goods. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and custard. The Family Donut Shop is known for their fluffy and light paczkis that are always fresh and made with high-quality ingredients.

Address: 11300 Conant St., Hamtramck

Bozek's Market in Hamtramck is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned and operated market has been a staple in the Hamtramck community for over 60 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made baked goods. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and cream cheese. Bozek's Market is known for their large and fluffy paczkis that are always made with high-quality ingredients and freshly baked on the premises.

Two locations:
3317 Caniff St. Hamtramck, MI 48212
42354 Van Dyke Sterling Heights, MI 48314

East Detroit Bakery & Deli is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned bakery and deli has been serving the Eastpointe community for over 30 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made baked goods. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and custard. They also offer a variety of specialty paczkis, including blueberry, apple, and chocolate.

Address:
17530 E 9 Mile Rd, Eastpointe, MI 48021

Bartz Bakery in Dearborn is a popular spot for paczkis during the Fat Tuesday season. This family-owned bakery has been serving the Dearborn community for over 40 years and is known for its delicious, freshly made baked goods. Their paczkis come in a variety of flavors, including traditional prune, raspberry, and custard.

Address: 1532 N Telegraph Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128