Savannah native Michelle Weber has always had a knack for mixology.
The former owner of Cocoa’s Dessert Bar made a name for herself among her clientele with her inventive specialty martinis.
“I even won a few martini contests,” she said.
Now, Weber is branching out to produce her own line of flavor-infused vodka.
Her new company, Southern Curves Spirits, will launch the first two flavors in her line of all-natural premium flavored vodkas with a party this weekend at Savannah Station.
More than just a name, Southern Curves Spirits is created by women, for women, Weber said.
“Nothing was ever given to me or left for me. I am just a hard-working woman, a dedicated wife and mother who’s always been willing to lend a helping hand,” she said. “I’ve built this business the old-fashioned way and hope to show other women they can accomplish anything if they believe in themselves.”
Not that it was easy.
“Between developing, testing and permitting, I think I’ve applied for and gotten just about every government approval you can think of,” she said, laughing. “Then I had to find a distillery, a marketing company, a distributor.
“It’s been non-stop for almost two years.”
The two all-natural premium flavors Weber selected for her company launch have a decidedly southern attitude.
“Sweet Georgia Nectar is a special blend of jasmine, honeysuckle and peach that is distilled five times,” she said. “Southern Praline combines the flavors of toasted pecans and crunchy brown-sugar candy.”
While either flavor can be sipped neat, they also work well in specialty drinks.
For example, Weber’s “Savannah Irishman” adds Irish liquor, coffee, whipped cream and toasted pecans to Southern Praline, while her “Savannah Jezebel” combines sweet tea and Sweet Georgia Nectar.
Another favorite is the “Boro Blue,” a mix of Sweet Georgia Nectar and fresh blueberry juice, she said.
The suggested retail price for a 750 ml bottle of Southern Curves, which is 70-proof and 35 percent alcohol by volume, is $17.99.
By the end of the month, Weber hopes to have her vodkas in stores throughout the state.
“Then we’ll expand, state-by-state, starting with Kentucky, then South Carolina, Florida, Louisiana and Tennessee,” she said. “Every state is different as far as permitting and regulations.”
But she is determined to make this venture a success, she says, if for no other reason than to show her daughter and young women everywhere that “you don’t give up on your dreams, you keep trying until you make it.”