( ENSPIRE Business ) MEDASE Expands Zero-Proof Cocktails To E-Commerce Platforms In LA
MEDASE is a Black woman-owned, premium, ready-to-drink, zero-proof cocktail brand that focuses on wellness, joy, and connection. Co-Founders Monica Cornitcher and Inga Dyer, best friends of over 30 years and sorority sisters, have launched the company. The idea of MEDASE was born during Inga’s battle with cancer. The word MEDASE means “thank you,” reflecting the brand’s core values of gratitude, intentionality, and living life to its fullest. Cornitcher and Dyer sought to create more mindful, health-conscious alternatives to traditional cocktails that were just as flavorful and suitable for any occasion. The Howard University alumni started to concoct flavorful mixtures using a patented heat formula, which delivers the flavor and feel of a traditional cocktail.
In 2024, Dyer passed away; however, Cornitcher and Dyer’s vision is still present with every sip and nonalcoholic cocktail sold. MEDASE offers margaritas, lemon drops, and old-fashioned drinks, all crafted with certified organic juices and premium-quality ingredients. Each beverage is an invitation to celebrate everyday moments with intention, authenticity, and flavor. “MEDASE is not just a drink, it’s a tribute to enduring friendship, legacy, and the joy of living well. Though Inga passed away last year, her spirit continues to inspire everything we do.”
The full lineup includes 12 zero-proof cocktails (six infused with hemp and six non-hemp), each expertly crafted to deliver bold flavor, beautiful balance, and wellness-driven intention. Cornitcher shares the emotional journey and challenges that came with creating MEDASE, including the collaboration on concocting the cocktails, strategies for well-being, and their e-commerce expansion.
MEDASE was born from a deeply personal place during Inga’s battle with cancer and is now a tribute to friendship and legacy. Can you share more about the initial emotional journey of turning a personal challenge into a business venture, especially given that you were also supporting your best friend through illness?
When Inga was courageously battling cancer, everything shifted. The hospital visits, the long conversations about life, and the quiet moments in between made me see just how precious time and connection really are. We started experimenting with drinks during those visits, not just to pass the time, but to create something that made us both feel good, body and soul. What began as a small act of love and comfort eventually became MEDASE. It was born from those moments of connection. Turning that into a business was emotional. Preserving the joy and connection we shared through something others could now experience.
How did you and Inga collaborate on creating drinks and flavors that are healthy, taste great, and resemble an authentic cocktail experience?
We approached flavor creation almost like storytelling. We would collaborate on ideas inspired by our days at Howard or a memory, and we would focus on balancing the flavors to ensure they were both satisfying and nourishing. We played with herbs, fresh juices, and natural sweeteners, but the goal was always the same: it had to feel celebratory, not like a compromise. We tested everything with friends and family, asking, “Does this give you the same joy as raising a glass of your favorite cocktail?” That was our benchmark.
MEDASE is centered on wellness, joy, and connection, and offers a “zero-proof” alternative, creating a mindful and healthy approach to celebration through drinking. As a founder leading a brand with such a strong wellness focus, what specific practices or strategies do you employ to prioritize your own mental health and well-being?
I’ve learned to treat my wellness like a non-negotiable business meeting; it’s on the calendar, and it’s honored. I start my mornings with meditation and a gratitude practice, which keeps me grounded in why I started MEDASE in the first place. I also build intentional pauses into my week to unplug, whether that’s going for a walk, going to dinner with friends, or simply enjoying one of our own mocktails and enjoying it with music playing in the background. Leading a wellness brand means I have to live it authentically, and that starts with protecting my energy and mental clarity.
With the expansion of MEDASE to e-commerce platforms, you’re making the brand accessible to a wider audience. As MEDASE expands to e-commerce platforms, how will you ensure your brand authentically communicates its core values to your customers?
Our e-commerce presence isn’t just about selling cans, it’s about telling our story in every touchpoint. From the packaging design that nods to our origins, to the product descriptions that explain the inspiration behind each flavor, to our social content that celebrates wellness and connection, everything will carry our voice. We also share customer stories and highlight community moments on our website, because MEDASE is as much about the people enjoying it as it is about the product itself. Transparency is key. We want customers to feel like they know us, understand why we exist, and trust that every sip is made with intention.
Furthermore, MEDASE is expanding its full line of premium zero-proof cocktails to E-Commerce Platforms in Los Angeles, CA. All 6 non-hemp signature cocktails are now available for purchase on http://www.medasecocktails.com and Amazon.com. The signature MEDASE favorites include: Hello Sunshine Margarita, Goodnight Moon Moscow Mule, Hey Big Dipper Old Fashioned, Sun Kissed Lemon Drop, Heavana Can’t Wait Mojito, Golden Hour Jamaican Rum Punch. For more information on how to purchase MEDASE non alcoholic cocktails, visit http://www.medasecocktails.com or follow on Instagram.
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