One of the most awarded vodkas of the past two years—boasting two perfect scores, three platinum and ten gold ratings—Meili officially arrived on the Hungarian market this August with a series of special events, joined in person by co-founder Jason Momoa. The actor, producer, and now spirits entrepreneur, shared the story of how he and his long-time friend Blaine Halvorson created Meili—a vodka born from friendship, discovery, and a shared vision to redefine what vodka can be.
From searching for the purest water source in Montana’s wilderness to designing eco-friendly bottles made entirely from recycled glass, creating Meili took seven years. The result is a sipping vodka—meant to be enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or mixed—remarkable for its smoothness and character, rare in its category. “Vodka was boring… until now,” said co-founder Jason Momoa, adding: “Meili is about flavor, quality, and soul. It’s a spirit we built from the ground up, with respect for nature and for those who share it.”
The Hungarian launch campaign brought the spirit of Meili Vodka to life through a series of unique experiences, led by Jason Momoa himself. The opening event gathered the hospitality industry, press, business partners, and the public for a memorable celebration.
For the HORECA community, the highlight was the Clean Spirit Wild Heart Masterclass at Blue Fox The Bar, part of the Kempinski Hotel and a key supporter of the launch. The session opened with a guided tasting led by Zoltán Nagy, Meili Vodka’s ambassador and co-founder of BOUTIQ`BAR. Then, eleven finalist bartenders—winners of a month-long social media cocktail competition—presented their creations to Jason Momoa. The co-founder tasted and judged each one live, ultimately choosing not one but two favorites.
Richárd Kommos impressed everyone with his Moviac Highball, inspired by a passion for cinema and the parallels between mixology and acting. Built on Meili Vodka with clarified wheat-beer syrup and popcorn syrup, the cocktail paid tribute to Montana’s grain-growing traditions and the magic of storytelling. A lemon-peel “M” garnish symbolized Meili, Movie, Maniac, and Momoa.
Péter Gelencsér created the unforgettable KOA SOUL, capturing Meili’s wild yet pure essence. Banana–turmeric syrup and salted caramel were boldly crowned with a Guinness foam, described by the bartender as “a wild soul in a glass—the harmony of purity and untamed spirit.”
Both cocktails perfectly reflected Meili’s true nature: craftsmanship, creativity, and the joy of sharing something genuine.
“This launch wasn’t just about introducing a vodka—it was about sharing a vision,” said Zoltán Nagy, Meili Vodka’s ambassador. “Meili is craftsmanship, sustainability, and adventure in a bottle, brilliantly showcased by the creativity of Hungary’s bartending community. What the participants achieved in the Clean Spirit Wild Heart competition was outstanding—the storytelling, the quality of the cocktails, and the way Jason and the Meili team were genuinely impressed by local talent made it unforgettable.”
After the Masterclass, guests embarked on a bar tour of Budapest’s leading cocktail venues, where bartenders presented their own Meili creations, followed by a private dinner with key partners.
The evening continued at Akvárium Klub with a live rock concert by Öof Tatata, featuring Jason Momoa performing alongside Mike Hayes and Kenny Dale. Guests discovered and enjoyed Meili Vodka in a variety of cocktails, making the night a true celebration of music, friendship, and the spirit that brought Meili to life.
“Budapest opened its arms—and its heart—to Meili, and that truly touched me,” said Jason Momoa. “From tasting those incredible cocktail creations to feeling the crowd’s energy when we hit the stage with Öof Tatata, everything gave us amazing energy. Meili was born from friendship—from our search for pure spring water in Montana’s wilderness and our desire to create a vodka you savor, not just mix. And that spirit? It came alive in every glass shared here in Budapest. I couldn’t have imagined a better launch.”
Radu Moldovan Petruț, CEO of MPR Group, Meili Vodka’s exclusive distributor for Europe and the Gulf region, added: “This was more than a launch—it was a celebration of shared values and creative energy. We started with Romania and Hungary because we saw that these vibrant, innovative hospitality scenes were ready for something truly special—and this event proved us right. We are proud to have Crush Wine and Spirit Kft. as our Hungarian distributor.”
With its Budapest debut, Meili Vodka has introduced not just a product but a spirit—one that inspires and connects people worldwide.
MPR Group is a leading premium beverage distributor specializing in building unique brands across Europe and the Gulf region. As the principal distributor of Meili Vodka in these markets, the group is committed to offering products that embody craftsmanship, authenticity, and powerful brand storytelling.
Alongside Meili Vodka, MPR Group represents a diverse portfolio of internationally recognized and emerging brands—including Corby, Spearhead, Moena, and Melorosa—all united by a commitment to quality, tradition, and inspiration.
In Hungary, MPR Group has appointed Crush Wine and Spirit Kft. as its exclusive distributor, building on trust and a shared vision of growth. This decision follows outstanding results in Romania and Hungary, where MPR’s brands quickly established strong presences in both hospitality and consumer markets.
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