Mocktails Proven to Taste Good and Save Lives 🍹✨

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 favorites. I may have had one of each… or maybe three. Let’s just say, quality control was thorough.

The final Herotini event raised an incredible $48,000! The energy in the room was contagious with everyone cheering, sipping, and celebrating a mission that’s literally saving lives one mocktail at a time. These drinks don’t just taste good and look pretty; they make our community safer.

From left to right: The celebrity hosts and judges: Fox 29's Thomas Drayton, Whitney Ullman, Nancy Adler, and the SNJ Sober Party Girl

From Mocktails to Motors: The Fleming’s Pumpkin Run 🎃🚗

After that feel-good event, we barely had time to rest before heading to the Fleming’s Pumpkin Run, a car lover’s paradise that’s been revving up for almost 30 years! Crowned the East Coast’s Largest One-Day Car Show, this event is massive. Thousands of cars fill the junkyard, from classic hotrods to muscle cars, racecars, and even a few surprises (hello, helicopter and locomotive!).

There’s something magical about wandering through it all, the rumble of engines, the smell of fair food, and the nostalgia everywhere you look. My personal favorite part? The pumpkin air cannon that blasts pumpkins over 100 miles per hour at an old double-decker bus. You just can’t make this stuff up.

I was lucky to be part of the action with WOND’s Your Neighborhood Garage and The Gabe Staino Show. If it rolls, floats, or flies, these guys know everything about it. Every time I see them, I walk away a little more car-savvy and with way more appreciation for engines.

We kicked off the day bright and early with 6 a.m. parking, 7 a.m. wings at Pic-a-lilli Inn (yes, wings for breakfast. Hey, don’t knock it till you try it! No mocktails in sight, but plenty of milkshakes, lemonades, and other tasty sips to keep us going like unlimited refills of homemade soda at Pirate Pete’s.

Our live radio show ran from 9 to 11 a.m. with amazing guests like Franck Freon from Pumpkin Cars, a Toys for Tots rep, and even a surprise appearance from my husband, Joe! After the show, we explored the flea market where I may have spent a little too much on vintage finds, and wrapped up another unforgettable Pumpkin Run.

Mocktail Mission: Ye Olde Mill Street Pub Edition 

After all that action, we were ready for something more low-key, so we finally stopped into Ye Olde Mill Street Pub in Mays Landing, NJ. This cozy spot has been a local staple since 1976, and the minute you walk in, you’re greeted with friendly faces and a chalkboard full of nightly specials.

Unfortunately, there was no mocktail menu (cue dramatic sigh), but our server was a gem and whipped up a sparkling cranberry with lime. Simple but refreshing, and a sweet little treat after a long day. It was simple, but I really appreciated the effort. 

The Food Rundown:

• Cream of Chicken Soup: Classic comfort. Nothing fancy, but warm and satisfying.
  
  

• Ravioli & Meatball: The ravioli had nice ricotta flavor, but the meatball leaned sausage-y — not my favorite, but still edible.

• Chicken Tacos: Tasty but messy! Think “step up from white-people taco night.”
  
  

• Stuffed Mushrooms: ⭐ The star of the meal. Generous crab filling, super flavorful — even if it came floating in a bit of mystery liquid.
  
  

The food didn’t totally wow me, but the service was lovely and the vibe was relaxed — and honestly, that counts for a lot.

The Final Pour 🥂

What a whirlwind week from Herotini happiness to high-octane cars and cozy comfort food. Not every restaurant hits a home run with mocktails, but I’ll always give props to those who try or at least say “yes” when I ask for something creative.

Until next time,
The Sober Party Girl 💋

Final Sober Party Girl Score: 5/10

Pros:
✅ Seated right away
✅ Friendly staff
✅ Cozy atmosphere
✅ Crab-stuffed mushrooms = yum
✅ Willing to make a mocktail

Cons:
❌ No mocktail menu (booo!)
❌ Food could’ve been better, but we are willing to give it one more try!