Production Philosophy
An Aperitivo in the MURI Idiom. New Forms is a bitter red aperitivo built on fermented Danish cherries, released as a limited edition within MURI's Test Kitchen series. MURI positions it as an aperitivo-style non-alcoholic blend inspired by vermouth — the fortified wine infused with herbs and bitter botanicals — while remaining, like all MURI blends, naturally non-alcoholic by design rather than de-alcoholized. It follows MURI's core method of fermenting individual components without producing more than trace alcohol, then blending them into a layered whole rather than imitating an alcoholic drink.[1],[2]
Origin and Name. According to MURI, the drink stems in part from co-founder Diego Paniagua, whose favorite tipple includes vermouth, an interest MURI credits with inspiring the creation of New Forms. MURI states the name is drawn from the 1997 drum and bass album 'New Forms' by Roni Size, which won the Mercury Music Award — consistent with MURI's practice of naming its drinks after records from the club scene. New Forms was first tested at MURI's first tasting dinner, held in August 2025.[2]
Composition & Vinification
Fermented Stevnsbær Cherries — Base. New Forms is built on a base of fermented local Stevnsbær cherries, per MURI, giving the blend its bitter red aperitivo character and, in tasting terms, its foundation of red and black fruit.[2]
Blackened Bergamot — Umami Note. Blackened bergamot is included in New Forms, which MURI describes as contributing an umami character to the blend.[2]
Bitter Cinchona Bark — Bittering Agent. Bitter cinchona bark is included, in keeping with the vermouth-inspired, aperitivo bitterness of the blend.[2]