What Happens When a Master Distiller Trusts His Instincts?

It takes guts to mess with a fan favorite. It also takes really, really good mandarins.

Crafted the Charbay way—with 100% real fruit and no artificial flavors, dyes, or additives—this limited release is for those who care about what’s in the bottle and the legacy behind it: bold, honest flavor from real ingredients. After nearly three decades of sticking with a classic, Charbay took a leap—guided by instinct, curiosity, and the juiciest mandarins Master Distiller Marko Karakasevic had ever seen. The result is Blood Orange Mandarin Vodka—a vibrant, juicy twist on the original, made with the same whole-fruit approach Charbay is known for.

Reimagining a classic wasn’t something Marko rushed. He’d been exploring the idea for years, knowing mandarins—sourced from California groves—could elevate the richness of the original blood oranges. But he also knew the only way to find out was to try.

Mandarins weren’t just an idea—they were an inspiration. This year’s harvest was unusually bright and shockingly juicy—fruit so vibrant it practically perfumed the distillery during shredding. The result: a vodka with bright citrus oils and a soft floral finish that’s both familiar and unexpected. “I’ve made Blood Orange Vodka the same way for almost three decades,” said Karakasevic. “It was already a fan favorite. But I knew we could go deeper, juicier, more expressive—and still keep it real. It’s bold. It’s floral. It’s summer in a bottle—and delicious on the rocks!”

Charbay Blood Orange Mandarin Vodka isn’t just a new release—it’s a tribute to the original, with a twist. A reminder that even classics can evolve, and that innovation doesn’t require compromise. For loyal fans, it’s everything they love—just dialed up with even more brightness and depth. For first-timers, it’s a bold, honest pour of what Charbay does best.

“The mandarins didn’t overpower —they just showed up in all the right places,” says Jenni Karakasevic (Marko’s wife & Director of Operations). “It’s subtle, but it changed everything. We’re already thinking about next year!”

Available in limited quantities—just 600 cases of citrus-rich, cocktail-ready goodness, bottled at 40% ABV and priced at $33.99 for a 1-liter bottle.

About Charbay Distillery

Charbay Distillery was founded in 1983 by the Karakasevic family, whose distilling lineage goes back to 1751. Thirteen generations later, they’re still making bold, expressive spirits by hand in Ukiah, California—from whiskey distilled from beer to vodkas infused with whole, seasonal fruit. Every release reflects a belief that tradition and experimentation aren’t opposites—they’re the soul of the same bottle.