"If we'd waited a day longer to harvest the Meyer Lemons, we literally wouldn't have Meyer Lemon Vodka this year," says Marko Karakasevic, 13th generation distiller at CHARBAY(R), a family-owned winery and micro-distillery in Napa Valley. "The citrus freeze this past January was devastating for most growers, but luckily our fruit was perfect."

"We make our flavored vodkas once a year using 100 percent real fruit. Fortunately, we have a solid relationship with our grower so we were in constant contact during the crucial decision time of when to pick the fruit," says Karakasevic.

Charbay brings in whole fresh fruit directly from the orchards within 24 hours of picking. Charbay Meyer Lemon Vodka has been a best seller since 1998, with the newest batch hitting retail shelves and cocktail lists this month.

Meyer lemons originated in China and were brought to the U.S. in 1908 by Frank Meyer, an agricultural inspector. They are thought to be a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. Charbay is the only Vodka that uses Meyer Lemons to create the unique and authentic flavors enjoyed by vodka lovers.

Restaurants throughout the country have designed signature drinks around the Charbay Meyer Lemon Vodka. "It makes an awesome Meyer Lemon Mojito," comments George Janek, Bar Manager at Meadowood Napa Valley.

Charbay retains the distinction of using exclusively whole, fresh ingredients. Marko shreds whole Meyer Lemons to extract flavor and color; that extraction is integrated into Charbay's award winning Clear Vodka. What you taste is 100% real freshly picked Meyer Lemons, not so-called "natural flavors."

About Charbay

Charbay(R) Winery & Distillery is owned and operated by the Karakasevic family. Miles Karakasevic is 12th Generation Master Winemaker and Master Distiller from former Yugoslavia. His son, Marko, is a California native and 13th generation to carry on the family tradition. Together, they ferment and distill small releases of vodkas, ports, pastis, grappa, and classic Alambic Pot Still spirits such as rum, whiskey, and brandy.

  CHARBAY(R) Meyer Lemon Drop
  1.5 oz CHARBAY Meyer Lemon Vodka
  1/2 oz Cointreau
  Juice of 1 Meyer Lemon (retain 1/2 of the rind)
  1 oz simple syrup

Muddle ingredients, including rind, in a shaker; add ice & shake; strain into a sugar-rimmed martini glass; garnish with lemon wheel.

  CHARBAY(R) Meyer Lemon Bloody Mary
  2 oz CHARBAY Meyer Lemon Vodka
  2 oz V-8
  1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
  2 shakes Worcestershire
  2 shakes Tabasco

Salt and pepper to taste; garnish with a celery stick.

Source: CHARBAY Winery & Distillery

Web site: http://www.charbay.com/