Cover Founder and CEO of Melati Drinks, Lorin Winata
Founder and CEO of Melati Drinks, Lorin Winata
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Winata, the founder and CEO of the Singapore-based company, tell us why cocktails are out and low ABV beverages are in
Non-alcoholic and low-alcohol drinks have been taking the global beverage industry by storm. No, we’re not talking about bright-coloured mocktails that come with a cocktail umbrella, but rather, drinks that are made from full-bodied non-alcoholic spirits.
These spirits mimic the taste of a particular alcohol, through the use of botanical blends and herb supplements. The result? An aperitif that tastes like the real deal—without the dreaded hangover on the next day.
Over the years, we have seen non-alcoholic spirit brands, such as Seedlip and Lyre, enter the market—with the latest being Melati Drinks, the first Asian non-alcoholic botanical spirit and brainchild of entrepreneur, Lorin Winata.
Read more: 11 non-alcoholic cocktail recipes to make at home
A massive foodie—as evident from her Instagram page, @sheeatsshecooks—as well as a drink lover, Winata started out as a venture capitalist. As her job required her to stay sharp while attending multiple work events and dinners, she would try to avoid alcohol. That said, she couldn’t find a crave-worthy non-alcoholic drink that didn’t contain sugar or caffeine. “No one gathers over a glass of water,” she adds.
Finding it hard to find a “healthy and tasty replacement for happy hour”, she set out to create her own.
“[Regardless of why you choose to] have one less drink, it doesn’t change the people you meet or the food you eat. I wanted to craft something delicious, healthy, and food-friendly without the added sugar, empty calories, or hangover the next day,” Winata continues.
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The concept came together during the entrepreneur’s trip to her ancestral farmland in Jatiluwih, Bali. There, she discovered Asian botanicals which have been used by locals for thousands of years to create ancient tonic drinks. Inspired by these botanicals, she created Melati, in hopes to “bring these botanicals to the world and share their goodness through our drinks”.
After two years of research and testing, Melati Classic was born, a full-bodied expression that offers earthy flavours of raw cacao balanced with bitter orange and warm Asian spices. Through its blend of herbs, spices and fruits, the spirit is guided by flavour and functionality, rather than mimicking an existing drink. It’s no wonder the expression can be easily incorporated into various recipes.
With the release of Melati Drinks’ latest spirit, Melati Fresh, we sit down with Winata as she shares with us more about how she makes it work.
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What is a typical morning like for you?
Lorin Winata (LW): I like to wake up early, drink a glass of water and do a quick workout before checking emails. As Melati Drinks is growing across various countries, I tend to wake up to emails from various time zones. After catching up with emails I like to take a break for my morning coffee.
What do you usually have for breakfast?
LW: I heard on a podcast by a neuroscientist that the ideal time to have a cup of coffee is 90 to 120 minutes after waking up. So, I brew myself a cup of coffee, go outside for some fresh air and take in some sunlight.
What does a standard work day look like for you?
LW: It depends on the day but typically a mix of meetings and computer work reaching out to new partners and some quiet work time to plan. If I’m in Singapore then I always try and go into the office when I can.
How would you describe your working style?
LW: As I get distracted and overwhelmed like any other person, I’ve started blocking time out for specific functions. For example one day a week is allocated to marketing or one day to sales outreach. It helps to ensure all work, including my least favourite type, is done.
What time do you usually have lunch? What do you usually have for lunch?
LW: I normally have lunch around 1 to 3 pm, depending on the day. I like to have a salad or soup as a breather from work.
Free time: overrated or underrated? Why?
LW: Underrated. I like going for walks around nature to give my eyes a break from the computer screens and give my thoughts perspective. It’s important to take a pause from the whirlwind of a day and find inspiration for new ideas to help our customers more. When I get some fresh air, I think about what could truly add value to our drinker’s day and how we can help make that a reality.
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How do you achieve a work-life balance? How do you set boundaries?
LW: I believe in sustainability rather than work-life balance. I aim to set up routines and habits that allow me to work at my best without feeling burnt out. At this stage of my life, I decided to dedicate most days to growing my company as I don’t have children or many other responsibilities yet. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution but we tweak and improve every day.
What was your first job? What did you learn from it?
LW: My first job was as a waitress at a local ice cream shop. There, I learnt the value of managing staff with compassion and trust. If anyone doesn’t feel like they’re appreciated or growing, then it’s hard for them to believe in the greater mission of a company.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?
LW: “The only way to be an entrepreneur is to be one.” A mentor told me this and recommended I start a side business even just buying and selling things on Instagram if I wasn’t ready to fully jump into a business. We build things up so much in our heads that we forget that we need to offer something that people value to make their lives easier or happier to start a business.
How do you manage stress?
LW: I try and step back from what’s causing me stress and gain perspective on the situation. I can only control what I can control, so I try and make a decision with the information I have at that point in time before moving forward.
Do you have moments of doubt and how do you overcome them?
LW: When my self-doubt creeps in, I always look to my friends and family to give me strength.
How do you stay motivated?
LW: By remembering what I’m working towards and the values I want to bring to this world.
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What would you still like to accomplish?
LW: Between offering products that help everyone feel happier to improving myself and learning new things, the better question is what wouldn’t I like to accomplish.
How do you deal with your shortcomings?
LW: I’m still learning how to do this. I’ve heard it’s not how you fall but how you get up until you stay up. It’s a life journey in being kinder to ourselves and resilient. I always try and improve my skill set, and acknowledge when someone else can do something much better than me. I focus on building a team that rounds out everyone’s shortcomings.
How do you chase your dreams?
LW: I like to break up bigger dreams into smaller actionable tasks I can do. For example, if the goal for Melati Drinks is to be in every home bar and Michelin-starred restaurant, I have to start one customer at a time. Each empty glass is a win for me.
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Amanda Goh was the former senior writer for Tatler Singapore.
