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CJ Cup to pour cocktails inspired by Korean tradition
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By
Ko Dong-hwan
Published
May 7, 2026 11:45 am
KST
Updated
May 7, 2026 11:45 am
KST
A bartender makes cocktails using Munbaesool at House of CJ on the sidelines of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas in this May 2025 photo. Courtesy of CJ CheilJedang
CJ CheilJedang, the host and main sponsor of The CJ Cup Byron Nelson later this month, will showcase Korean traditional alcohols throughout the PGA Tour event, which is scheduled to take place from May 20 to 24 in Texas.
The major Korean food company said on Thursday it will introduce Munbaesool liquor and Gamuchi soju as bases for cocktails. Munbaesool is the brand name for Korea's most famous munbaeju, a drink originally made in Pyeongan Province in North Korea and famed for its delicate floral fragrance, reminiscent of pear blossoms. Gamuchi soju, brewed by Danong Bio, is a premium distilled spirit made with rice.
The company first introduced Munbaesool to the United States at last year’s tournament, using it in four different cocktails.
Munbaesool Brewery CEO Lee Seung-yong said he was grateful for the renewed collaboration with CJ CheilJedang and the opportunity to showcase Moonbaesool in the U.S. and to visitors from around the world through the tournament.
“Enthusiastic response from the local market in the U.S. allowed us to confirm our traditional liquor’s potential and market competitiveness. We expect it will help us expand future product sales,” Lee said.
CJ CheilJedang
is stepping up efforts to promote Korean traditional alcohols globally through collaborations with small and medium-sized local breweries under its premium distilled liquor brand, Jari, which has recently been trademarked.
After signing partnerships with Munbaesool Brewery and Danong Bio, the CJ Group subsidiary has been aging the partner companies’ distillates at its maturation facility in Nonsan to produce Jari liquors.
Jari, according to the company, will debut in the U.S. market during the second half of this year.
CJ CheilJedang aligns its alcohol business with Bibigo, the firm’s signature food brand, now available in over 40 countries. Since 2017, the company has promoted its food lineup, including dumplings, tteokbokki and gimbap, at the tournament.
CJ’s promotion of Bibigo and collaboration with Korean breweries at the CJ Cup and other overseas showcase opportunities prompted the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to select the company for the “Global NEXT K-Food Project” launched last month.
"We’ll lead the advancement and mutual growth of our traditional liquor industry to establish Korean distilled spirits as one of Asia's representative liquor categories alongside Japanese sake and Chinese baijiu," a CJ CheilJedang official said.
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