High Spirits for the New Year

 

When Sondra Baker, a curiosity maven by nature, first heard whispers of shochu—an ancient, 500-year-old Japanese elixir with a reputation for health benefits—she knew she had to learn more. What began as a quest for knowledge quickly turned into inspiration. From that spark, MUJEN was born.

In celebration of the coming New Year, we present an excerpt from her interview in FUTURO VOL 2 along with some extra pearls of wisdom.

Happy New Year everyone.
Charge your glasses.
Here comes the future

LAB  Spirits and literature are tightly bound, which piece of literature most resonates with Mujen?

SONDRA BAKER   A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway & In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, with its focus on savoring life’s pleasures in the vibrant setting of Paris, feels like the perfect fit with MUJEN’s spirit of celebration and the embrace MUJEN has received in iconic places like Hotel Costes, Hotel Lutecia, and at The Hemingway Bar at the Ritz .

Proust’s ability to evoke deep memories through a single taste—the famous madeleine moment—really resonates with what we aim to achieve with MUJEN. We want to offer a sensory experience that goes beyond the surface, one that feels timeless and reflective.

Both novels inspire the idea that we can transform everyday moments into something unforgettable, through quality and taste.

LAB  Who would be at your ultimate dinner party?

SB  I can think of endless combinations of fascinating people, both living and dead, who would make for a captivating dinner party!  But honestly, one of the things I love most is walking into a room where I know absolutely no one. There’s a unique thrill in that sense of discovery, the spark of engaging with someone for the very first time, and the unexpected connections that emerge. Sometimes the best conversations happen with the person you never anticipated meeting, and for me, there’s something truly rewarding about stepping into the unknown and being open to where that choice takes you.

LAB  What are your life philosophies?

SB  Remain open. You NEVER know where the unexpected takes you.

Stay kind, because even one small act of kindness can create a ripple effect.  

Know that if you can conceive it, then it is possible.  There are 100 ways to get to the other side of that wall. You just have to be creative and figure it out.

LAB  Your personal favourite Mujen recipe? 

SB  Well that really depends on the day, but I do have a few favourites.

My number one is our MUJEN 7. it’s so light and refreshing and super simple. It’s made with MUJEN Original, muddled cucumber, basil, lime juice, and a little bit of sweetener.

 

“One sip and you’ll be transported to the poolside at The Tower Bar in West Hollywood, where our favorite bartender Chad created this cocktail.”

 

MUJEN 7

2 oz MUJEN Original

  • 1 oz Lime Juice

  • ½ oz Agave

  • 2 slices of jalapeño

  • 2 slices of cucumber

  • 4-5 flesh basil leaves

  • Garnish: fresh basil leave & jalapeño slice

  • Glass: Double Rocks Glass

  1. Add all ingredients except one basil leave and one jalapeño slice to shaker

  2. Muddle lightly

  3. Add ice, shake and strain in double rocks glass with ice

  4. Garnish with basil leaf and jalapeño slice

*****

My other Number One is MUJEN Ai on the rocks. The only problem is it just goes down way too fast!  Anderson Cooper, when he tried it for the first time on his live New Year’s Eve show on CNN, said “… it’s like a lovely siren licking you from the Seas of Odysseus!” 

 
 

 

very laboratory