Beating the South Jersey Heat with Mocktails at Maplewood Inn in Hammonton
Guyssssss... it's HOT.
Like, "walk outside and immediately regret your life choices" hot.
The "feels like" temperatures climbed well over 105 degrees across South Jersey, and wow...we definitely felt every single degree of it. Thankfully, I spent a good portion of the week hiding inside with the air conditioning blasting.
If there's one thing we all need during a South Jersey heat wave, it's hydration. Mostly water...but I firmly believe a refreshing mocktail deserves a spot in the rotation too.
A Hot Day in Wildwood with WMGM
Earlier this week, I got to spend the day hanging out with 103.7 WMGM and Corona at The Inlet on Olde in Wildwood.
Ironically, as a Corona girl this summer (yes, I hear the jokes), I get to travel up and down the Jersey Shore every Saturday giving away prizes, coolers, swag, and even cash.
It's an absolute blast...but it is BUSY.
Between talking with listeners, walking the venue, and handing out prizes, I barely have time to eat, let alone cool off. Thankfully, my sweet husband Joe came to the rescue and surprised me with a refreshing nonalcoholic drink from the bar.
Unfortunately, I have absolutely no idea what it was called.
It tasted like the perfect fruit punch-inspired mocktail, smooth, refreshing, and exactly what I needed after sweating my way around the venue for hours. The bartenders were more than happy to whip something together, and honestly? Sometimes the mystery drinks are the best ones.
Joe even sacrificed some of his fries for me before I headed back out to keep the party going.
If you're spending your Saturdays at Jersey Shore events this summer, you just might see me! Be sure to check out 103.7 WMGM's Facebook page to see where we'll be next.
Birthday Dinner at Maplewood Inn in Hammonton, NJ
The weekend also brought us to Hammonton, New Jersey, to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday.
Her restaurant of choice?
Located right on the White Horse Pike, Maplewood Inn in Hammonton has been serving classic Italian cuisine for more than 80 years. Family-owned and operated for generations, they're known for homemade pasta, classic Italian favorites like Chicken Marsala and Chicken Parmigiana, complimentary garlic bread, and warm family hospitality.
When you walk through the doors, it feels exactly like an Italian restaurant should; comfortable, welcoming, and full of people enjoying giant plates of pasta.
The Mocktails ⭐
Cue the dramatic music… THEY HAVE A MOCKTAIL MENU!
Can I get a hallelujah?!
Finding dedicated mocktails at restaurants is still exciting for me, especially at classic Italian restaurants, so this immediately earned Maplewood some bonus points.
Fruity Punch
I ordered the Fruity Punch, made with mango, pineapple, orange, and cranberry juice, served over ice and garnished with fresh citrus and a cherry.
This was summer in a glass.
The tropical juices blended together perfectly without one overpowering another. It was bright, refreshing, fruity, and impossible not to smile while drinking.
Exactly what I wanted after surviving a week of triple-digit temperatures.
Berry Spritzer
Joe ordered the Berry Spritzer, featuring lemonade, blueberry simple syrup, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon, and club soda.
This one leaned sweet and tart with just enough bubbles to keep it light and refreshing. It was topped with an overflowing handful of fresh blueberries, making it just as pretty as it was delicious.
Another perfect mocktail for a hot South Jersey summer day.
The Food
Robin's Chicken
I ordered Robin's Chicken with homemade pasta. Can we talk about this chicken for a second?
It has to be the largest, and somehow thinnest, grilled chicken breast I've ever seen. It was practically the size of my head, and I am absolutely not complaining.
It's topped with roasted red peppers, spinach, and a glorious blanket of melted mozzarella cheese. The homemade pasta deserves its own standing ovation. Honestly, I could've just eaten a giant bowl of the pasta by itself.
My calorie-counting app would probably file a formal complaint, but sometimes you simply have to live your life.
Seafood Alfredo Gnocchi
Joe, as always, stayed loyal to his favorite: the Seafood Alfredo with gnocchi.
The gnocchi were soft, fluffy little pillows that soaked up every bit of the rich Alfredo sauce.
The seafood included shrimp, scallops, and chunks of crab meat, giving you a little bit of everything in every bite. The sauce was creamy and cheesy without feeling heavy, making it one of those meals you don't want to end.
Ending the Week at Lindy Hops in Galloway
No summer week is complete without ice cream. Naturally, we made our way over to Lindy Hops in Galloway.
Lindy Hops isn't just an ice cream shop. It's practically a South Jersey institution.
Linda Lindy has been serving homemade ice cream for decades, and many of her specialty ingredients are homemade too. Even candies mixed into flavors like Tahitian Butter Sand are made in-house.
Walking inside feels like stepping back into an old-fashioned neighborhood ice cream parlor. If someone walked in wearing a poodle skirt, it honestly wouldn't feel out of place.
And the menu? Absolutely enormous.
You'll find homemade ice cream, dairy-free and gluten-free options, water ice, novelty treats, ice cream cakes, pies, cupcakes, chocolate-covered bananas, chocolate-covered cheesecake...
...and then there's the legendary ice cream pizza.
A brownie crust.
Vanilla ice cream.
A layer of hot fudge.
Then toppings like Banana Split, Peanut Butter Cup, Brownie Delight, and more.
As God is my witness… I will be ordering one this summer.
Dairy-Free Favorites
My mom and I both ordered the non-dairy strawberry and banana flavors.
They were incredible. Creamy, rich, and honestly convincing enough that you'd never guess they were dairy-free. Best of all? No upset stomach afterward.
Joe's Triple Scoop
Joe had an impossible time deciding before finally settling on three scoops:
Horchata – Somehow tasted exactly like the drink, complete with that subtle cinnamon finish.
Cookie Dough – You can never go wrong with a classic.
Mounds – Coconut ice cream with chocolate pieces that tasted just like the candy bar. This one absolutely screams summertime.
If you'd like to learn more about Linda Lindy and the history of this South Jersey favorite, be sure to check out my article in Shore Local Newsmagazine.
Final Thoughts
Between working events in Wildwood, celebrating family in Hammonton, discovering another fantastic mocktail menu, and ending the week with homemade ice cream, I'd call this another successful week of making memories around South Jersey.
This week, though? I'm slowing things down a little.
It is a holiday after all. Wherever your Fourth of July takes you, enjoy the sunshine, the beach, the pool, the barbecue...and please don't forget to hydrate.
Life is always a little safer, and a whole lot more fun, with a mocktail in hand.
Until next time,
The SNJ Sober Party Girl
⭐ Final Sober Party Girl Score
⭐ 10 out of 10
✅ Pros
- 🍹 Dedicated mocktail menu – Instant win! Having multiple alcohol-free options makes Maplewood stand out.
- 🍍 Delicious mocktails – Both the Fruity Punch and Berry Spritzer were refreshing, flavorful, and perfect for a hot summer day.
- 🍝 Homemade pasta – Fresh, authentic, and absolutely worth ordering.
- 🧄 Complimentary garlic bread – Because free bread is always a good idea.
- 🧀 Generous portions – Come hungry or plan on taking leftovers home!
- 🍤 Excellent seafood dishes – The Seafood Alfredo with pillowy gnocchi is a must-try.
- 👨👩👧👦 Family-owned for over 80 years – You can feel the welcoming, family atmosphere from the moment you walk in.
- 🚗 Convenient location – Right on the White Horse Pike in Hammonton with plenty of parking.
- ☀️ Great summer dining option – The bright, fruity mocktails pair perfectly with classic Italian comfort food.
❌ Cons
- 🍽️ You'll want dessert... but may not have room! Save space if you can.
- 🎉 Popular for family dinners and celebrations – It can get busy during peak dinner hours, so expect a lively atmosphere.
- 🤤 The homemade pasta may ruin boxed pasta forever. Consider yourself warned.
- 🍹 You'll probably wish every Italian restaurant had a mocktail menu after this visit.
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