South Jersey's Sober Party Girl

If there’s one thing I love about South Jersey, it’s that even when you’re winding through endless stretches of pine trees, a dependable little eatery always pops up right when you need it. After a scenic maze of twists and turns through Woodbine, I finally pulled into Levari’s Seafood and American Grill . The lot was packed, always a good sign, but somehow the universe left me a VIP spot right up front. Destiny? I think yes. First Impressions: A Bar Buzzing With Life Walking inside, I was greeted by a lively bar scene buzzing with chatter, clinking glasses, and a single empty seat in the corner calling my name. I slid in and opened the menu, excited for a mocktail moment… but alas, no mocktail section. When I asked, the bartender offered a polite but not-so-excited “We have juices.” Just juices. No specials. No house mix. No sparkles. Internal panic ensued. I ordered water. The Mocktail Moment (…Or Lack Thereof) After some internal pep-talking, I settled on a cheeseburger and a Shirl...

Whew! Another crazy week. It feels like it never stops! I’ve been running on empty lately, trying to juggle way too many events, parties, and late nights. Between family plans, social gatherings, and a few too many “just one more stop” evenings, I barely had time to breathe, let alone sip on a proper mocktail. Spoiler alert: I struck out on creative drinks this week, but the memories and laughter were worth every minute! A Night at Juliano’s in Egg Harbor Township We kicked things off at Juliano’s in Egg Harbor Township , one of our favorite neighborhood spots. The food is always on point– hearty, flavorful, and consistent. The vibe? Classic local bar energy, ya know, relaxed, friendly, and always buzzing. Here’s the catch: no mocktail menu . If you ask for a non-alcoholic drink, you’ll likely end up with a Shirley Temple. Which, don’t get me wrong, has its charm, but I love when bartenders get creative with mocktails. This isn’t that kind of place, and that’s okay! Juliano’s is where ...

This week was a total win for our local Hero Campaign and for mocktail lovers everywhere! You might remember me writing about their first Herotini Happy Hour at Josie Kelly’s earlier this year. Their summer-long Herotini initiative has one simple and genius mission: make designated drivers the life of the party by offering fun, delicious mocktails that keep everyone safe and happy. Because here’s the thing, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , about 34 people die in drunk-driving crashes every single day in the U.S. That’s one person every 42 minutes. The message isn’t “stop drinking” (unless you want to!), it’s “ drink responsibly .” Every DUI-related fatality is preventable,  and these creative mocktails are helping make that happen. 🍸 The Final Herotini Hurrah To raise funds for their cause, local businesses competed to craft the best mocktail in town. The top 10 finalists served up samples at the big awards night, where guests voted for their...