Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom

EP 87 How Don Lemon Inspired My Mocktail Book + A Special Recipe!

• Deb, Mocktail Mom • Season 1 • Episode 87

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Hey, friends, it’s Deb! I recently posted a few sneak peek photos of my new book, The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Moms' Night In on Instagram, and it hit me—I haven’t even shared the backstory with you yet! Well, we're fixing that today. I’m taking you behind the scenes of how the book came together, all the nervous moments, and the wild inspiration behind it (hint: Don Lemon and a viral Instagram video may be involved).

I’ll also dish on the fun parts, like coming up with all the quirky recipe names you'll find inside. As a thank you, I’ve included a special recipe from the book in the show notes!

So grab your mocktails, and if you’ve got a moment, leave a rating and review (it seriously means the world!). Let’s raise a glass to this next exciting chapter of our alcohol-free journey. Big Time Cheers, and see you inside the episode! 


Mentioned Resources

Grab the FREE Recipe: Taste and See with GaryVee

Check out The Mocktail Box! 


Order a copy of The Happiest Hour: Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Moms' Night In

A huge thank you to the sponsors of the Thriving Alcohol-Free podcast!
Sunnyside | Giesen 0% Wines

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Deb:

Welcome up, friends and welcome to the Thriving Alcohol-Free Podcast. I'm your host, deb, otherwise known as Mocktail Mom, a retired wine drinker that finally got sick and tired of spinning on life's broken record called Detox to Retox. Let this podcast be an encouragement to you. If alcohol is maybe a form of self-care for you, where you find yourself dragging through the day waiting to pour another glass, I am excited to share with you the fun of discovering new things to drink when you aren't drinking and the joy of waking up each day without a hangover. It is an honor to serve as your sober, fun guide. So sit back and relax or keep doing whatever it is you're doing. This show is produced for you with love from the great state of Kentucky. Thanks so much for being here and big time cheers, okay, guys. Hey, it's Deb. Welcome back to Thriving Alcohol Free. It is just us today Well, always us and Coco she is asleep under the desk. She was snoring a minute ago. I don't know if you'll hear her or not, but anyway, I wanted to come in today.

Deb:

Last week I posted some photos on Instagram of my book that's coming out, which is so crazy for me to even say my book. It's so crazy. But I realized I have not shared with you guys the background story of how the book came about, honestly, because I have been so nervous that at some point the publisher's just going to pull the plug and be like we're going to pass. So, nicole, from the publishing house, if you're listening, that's what's been going on. That's why I probably haven't posted as much as probably I should have about the book. I have not shared, like a lot of like the journey of getting here, what it was like to write the book. I didn't post things as I was writing, I didn't post recipes as I was going along. I probably did it all wrong. So, first time author here, what do I know? But I just felt like, oh, it's not going to happen, there's no way it's going to happen. But apparently it is happening.

Deb:

The book is available now for pre-order. Hopefully you've pre-ordered. It's called the Happiest Hour Delicious Mocktails for a Fabulous Mom's Night In for a fabulous mom's night in. This mom loves to be in. I don't know if it's like post-COVID, I don't know if it's just that I'm in my. You know, this phase of my life. I just I love. I love to be home. I do love to go places. I love to travel. You know I like to do some things, but I also like love to be home. So I think it's kind of ironic the name Fabulous Mom's Night In.

Deb:

Okay, the book comes out November 5th. It's election day. America is going to need mocktails, we are going to probably want a drink. You know, probably going to be like time for a cocktail. Let's have mocktails, so let's make mocktails together.

Deb:

If you pre-order the book, I think it'll be on your doorstep. Actually, on election day, typically, like when I've pre-ordered books, they arrive like the day the actual publication day. I think they must ship the day before. But I can't guarantee, I don't want to guarantee that it'll be on your doorstep that day, but I have a feeling it might be. But regardless, regardless, even if it gets to you the day after, right? I would be so grateful if you would pre-order the book.

Deb:

And actually something else, can I ask for something? Would you mind taking 30 seconds to leave a rating and review for the podcast? If this podcast has been of encouragement to you, it will really help other people find the podcast. I didn't realize how much rating and reviews help a podcast, but it really does make a difference. So if you wouldn't mind 30 seconds, type a little rating and review, it would mean a lot and I promise I will read it and it it means lot. So there's that, okay, but I want to share how the book came about, what is going on, because I've been kind of radio silent on the book.

Deb:

All right, so in February of 2023, I don't know if you guys probably don't remember, but Don Lemon shared on I don't know, an episode of CNN, something he was talking about. He was talking about women in their 50s and how women in their 50s are past their prime, and his comments were getting a lot of attention all over the place. People were talking about women especially were talking about what is he talking about? And I couldn't get out of my head, I could not get out of my head what he had said. I was like, excuse me, pardon me, I don't think so.

Deb:

I was in my 50s and I was like you don't know what you're talking about, sir, and you're older than me, and I just felt like you know, I've been through, you know, a divorce, I've been through breast cancer and through my daughter being really sick, my parents passing away I mean like the list is long of hard things, like all of us have right, we all have hard things we've been through and I was like I am not past my prime, like I am just getting started. That's really how I feel. So I hope you feel that way too in your life, like you're just getting started, we're just getting going. The book is, you know, like the future is still bright, my life's not over. I do love to be home, but like my life is not over, I love it Anyway.

Deb:

So I couldn't get out of my head what he had shared or what he had said. So it was a Saturday I think that was maybe the Saturday after he had said that or something my husband, larry, was out working on the truck or doing something. I remember he was doing something on the truck. What was he fixing something? And I was like I'm going to run inside. I was like I couldn't get out of my head. I was like I got to make a video. So I set up my little lights and got my lemons and I was like, all right, I got to make some mocktail using lemons. You know, don Lemon, because when life gives you Don Lemon, make a mocktail. So I made a video and that video ended up going viral. I never had that happen before like that. It was crazy All these new followers and comments and shares and it was just crazy, really crazy on Instagram what was going on.

Deb:

At the same time that I was getting some DMs, direct messages, I was getting some messages on my Instagram and a gal messaged me. A lot of people were messaging I didn't know this. One lady messaged me and telling me she works for this publishing house and she'd be interested to talk to me and I was like oh, and you know, kind of kept scrolling or whatever Like there were. I didn't know. I was like this could be a total surprise scam. I didn't know what this was. She wasn't talking about money or anything. She was just saying like, can we have a conversation about maybe doing a mocktail book? I'm with the publishing house? I was like I don't know who you are.

Deb:

Anyway, then I ended up getting an email from her. She got my email address and sent me an email, you know, introducing herself. It was on her business email, sharing that she, her publishing house, also works with the Baker Mama. If you follow her on Instagram, she's huge on Instagram and she does charcuterie boards and stuff. So when I saw that and then she shared some other things that they publish, I was like I looked up those, like okay, well, this is a legitimate publishing house, this is like a real person. And so I agreed to hop on a call with her.

Deb:

And so we actually got on a call in March of 2023. It was actually I didn't know it at the time, my nephew had actually passed away that day. I didn't know it yet. I didn't find out until that evening. But Nicole and I had our call that same day, march 10th. That was my first call with her. I was sitting in my car on my little on my phone. We just did a little Google Meet call, I think it was, or something like that, and just kind of like a little introduction. You know, do you have recipes, do you? You know who are you, what are you doing, what are you doing over there? Since you're just getting started, let's talk about it.

Deb:

Then later on that evening I found out about my nephew David, and there were a lot of like the next couple of weeks, months, a lot of like really great things happening, you know, like in the world of my mocktail account and stuff, and obviously the discussions about this book was very exciting and at the same time, in my personal life tragic isn't even the right word I mean, it's beyond. I still cannot believe I'm not seeing my nephew until I get to heaven. I still cannot believe that. I cannot wrap my head around it. But all that to say, just a little side note. It's like in life you're going down the railroad tracks of life, right, and it's like on the one track, the one side, you know, is wonderful things, happy things, great things, and at the same time the other side of the railroad tracks, you know, the other track, can be the most difficult things, the hardest things in life, and it can all be happening at the exact same time and it's a lot. Well, it's life, right, life is a lot to deal with, but it's not like you're going through life I haven't gone through life and there's only been happy times on the railroad tracks of both sides at the same time and you keep moving forward, even though there's really awful things and really wonderful things can be going on at the same time. So that was what behind the scenes, what was going on at the time of, like, signing the contract for the book so exciting, like so exciting, but at the same time didn't really believe it was happening. Even then it was like, well, we'll see. I kept saying like well, we'll see, we'll see, which is actually so funny because that's what Larry says all the time Like I'll say something and he's like, well, we'll see. I'm been like we'll see, I don't know. They're going to call me when there's be like we're pulling the plug. You know, we found somebody else. We like her better, you know. But that hasn't happened. The book is coming out, it's official, it's in print right now. So super exciting for you guys to get your copies.

Deb:

But I just wanted to share, you know, kind of the background of how this whole book came about. It was really I have Don Lemon. So let's just take a moment here to say Don Lemon, thank you. Thank you for sharing that. Women in their 50s are past their prime. Because, guess what? This woman is not past her prime. And the women in America have spoken of all sides of the political aisle. We don't care, we are one saying we are not past our prime, we are just getting started. And so here I am, first time author. When life gives you Don Lemon, make a mocktail, and so we are. It's called the Happiest Hour delicious mocktails for a fabulous mom's night in first time author. And I have you, don Lemon, to thank because you said women in their 50s were past their prime and you're very much not Okay.

Deb:

Some of you know that I accidentally stopped drinking when I did a challenge to take a month off from alcohol, my BFF Chardonnay, and now I live an alcohol-free lifestyle and I absolutely love it. But I also realized that's not for everybody. Originally, my goal was just to moderate. I wanted to learn how to moderate. So you might be thinking I would love to cut back a bit, but I am not ready to quit cold turkey, so you don't have to. I have a little tip for you. It's called Sunnyside. It's the number one alcohol moderation app in the United States and maybe it would be a fit for you if you're looking for no pressure, just support and tools to help you actually drink less. With Sunnyside, you set your own pace, track less. With Sunnyside, you set your own pace, track your drinks and connect with a community of people who get it. You pick a plan that fits your goals and, the best part, 96% of people who use Sunnyside drink less after just 90 days. That's huge. So if you're ready to cut back your drinking without feeling overwhelmed, maybe give Sunnyside a shot. Visit the link in the show notes to get a free 15-day trial and check out Sunnyside for yourself.

Deb:

As you guys know, I love Giesen 0% wines. Their Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to on a regular basis, but they recently launched a delicious sparkling brute 0% which is quickly becoming a fan favorite. I am so proud to have Giesen as the exclusive non-alcoholic wine sponsor of the Thriving Alcohol-Free Podcast. Giesen 0% wines are created through the magic of advanced spinning cone technology to remove the alcohol from their full-leaded wines. The award-winning winemaker Duncan Shuler and his team have done wonders in Marlborough, new Zealand, by creating an entire family of 0% wines with all the flavor and deliciousness you expect from traditional quote full-leaded wine. Their non-alcoholic wines maintain the aroma and the body to create a low-calorie wine that never contains more than 0.5 ABV. Globally available, look for Giesen 0% wines wherever you shop for your non-alcoholic options. Their family of alcohol-free wines include the most effervescent member of the family, the sparkling Brut 0%, which is absolutely delicious for any celebration. My personal favorite, although I do love them all, is the Sauvignon Blanc, coming in at only 100 calories for the entire bottle. And, not to be missed, the other members of their 0% family the Riesling, the Premium Red Blend, the Rosé, the Pinot Gris. With Giesen's 0% wines, there's a de-alcoholized wine for everyone and every occasion. Give Giesen a try and let me know how much you love it. And if you want to meet their winemaker, go back to episode 33 of the podcast, where Duncan Shuler joined me to share about the Giesen story. Okay, one of the recipes in the book and I'm going to put it in the show notes is called Taste and See with Gary Ve.

Deb:

Gary Vaynerchuk is one of my favorite business entrepreneurs. He's one of my favorite people to follow on social media. He's the only man in my life that I will allow to curse at me all day long. He loves dropping the F-bomb. I shouldn't say loves it, it's just. You know, he's just whatever, just part of his vocabulary, whatever. But I love Gary. He's been such an encouragement to me and really his encouragement to taste and see. That's kind of what he'll say.

Deb:

Like, you know, just taste and see. Like, if you're somebody who's a writer and you maybe want to start a blog or you want to start writing articles. You know, just taste and see, go do it, go, try it. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if it's like a little side hustle or a new business or something. You know, don't be afraid to try new things. Just try Like what's the worst thing that happens? Let's say you start a blog. Let's say you love writing, start a blog. What's the worst thing that could happen? And it doesn't go well, or nobody reads it or whatever. Maybe it just gives you joy or maybe it totally takes off. You know, and it's something amazing that's happened in your life that never would have happened if you didn't just taste and see, just go like, let me just see how this happens, see what happens with this. So that's how I started my Instagram.

Deb:

Gary was really the inspiration behind starting my Instagram because I was like I was so bored when I stopped drinking, like at night, I wasn't buzzed. So I was like I don't want to do puzzles, I don't want to do coloring pages, what can I do? And I was like, well, let me just, you know, maybe I'll start an Instagram account and start sharing, you know, the mocktails, the non-alcoholic options that I was finding, and you know, also be able Instagram account. He is really the inspiration behind it, and so I wanted to put a recipe in the book in honor of Gary Want, to give him put a recipe. So it's a blueberry spritz. He loves blueberries, it's one of the fruits he sits and he'll snack on. In his little videos and stuff I'll put the recipe, the taste and see with Gary Vee, I'll put that in the show notes for you guys Would love for you to have that. It's a delicious, easy, simple recipe that is so, so good. And it's a nod to Gary Vaynerchuk, who was the inspiration for my Instagram account, mocktailmom, and he is a huge inspiration in completing the book the Happiest Hour.

Deb:

Because I know Gary did not do very well in school. I was a horrible student, horrible. Our class was. I went to a small Christian school and we had 66 kids in my graduating class and I was number 64. I was holding up the entire bottom of the class and so I like in the Bible where it says the first shall be last and last shall be first, I think in heaven I might be close there to the valedictorian, but it doesn't even matter. I just I was. So I was having so much fun talking to people and making friends and I could have cared less about school. I didn't care. Anyway, all that to say, gary didn't like school. He didn't do well in school.

Deb:

He and I were like bringing in the recipes, making the recipes, trying them with Lily, things like that, coming up with the names for the recipes. I had a lot of fun with that, like Taste and See with Gary Vee, when Life Gives you Don Lemon, make a Mocktail, just fun recipe names. And then the chapter titles was so much fun, but I will say it was. It was a slow process. Like you submit stuff and then you don't hear back for weeks and then like you submit something else or then you have another deadline that you don't hear back for. It's just how it goes. I've never written a book. I don't know anything. I don't know how this goes. Even like coming out with this now, like I don't know how this goes. So we're just going to all see. We're going to see how it goes together.

Deb:

Called Mules for Days, because mocktail mules are so easy to make, so simple, definitely helped me surf the urge. I actually have a mocktail mule box. If you're interested, it's on my website, mocktailmomcom. If you want a little box. I have a mule cup, some free samples of rituals included in there, all the different ritual ones, some ginger beers from Q Mixers. Anyway, there's some fun stuff, a little mule box, a little side note there. If you want a mule box I'd be happy to mail one to you.

Deb:

There's a chapter called Buzzworthy Brunch. Mine is the Buzz. My nickname is Buzz. That comes from. I was a camp counselor and Deborah in Hebrew means honeybee and so my nickname at camp or my camp counselor name was Buzz. So Buzzworthy Brunch mine is the Buzz. Mint to be mocktails is one of the chapters with some mint mocktails.

Deb:

A chapter called hot flash mamas need frozen drinks because us women having our hot flashes, we definitely need frozen drinks. So maybe you wanna start there. If you're in the menopause post-menopausal, pre-menopausal you might wanna start in that section. I have a section called a chapter called sharing is caringidays, without Hangovers, just Getting Started, not Past Our Prime, and then a chapter called Spicy Mama Mocktails. So a lot of mom names and things like that.

Deb:

But the book is for anybody male, female mom, dad, mom to a dog, whatever. You don't have to have kids. These are recipes for everybody and it's just very down to earth Hopefully I just get to share a little bit of my personality in there that the fun is not over and there are still good things to drink and we can have great, great times and stay connected in our lives, whether we're completely sober, soberish, just want to drink mocktails, just want to evaluate our relationship with alcohol, take a little break, take a little challenge. Wherever you are in your alcohol-free journey or in your mocktail journey, I am cheering you on. Just wanted to share today a little bit about the background of the book, because there were some questions and I realized like I really have done a bad job about sharing the journey to get here, because I've been so nervous that the plug was going to get pulled. It was just gonna be like nope, this is not happening, so it's happening. So November 5th, let's all drink our happy sour mocktails together and let's just celebrate.

Deb:

Life is so good, even in the midst of really awful things. Life is good. We just need to treasure each day. I do say every day is a gift and I truly mean it to treasure each day. I do say every day is a gift and I truly mean it. Every day is a gift and we just need to enjoy and embrace each moment. So love you guys.

Deb:

I'm really grateful for the opportunity to be connected to you through this podcast. I'm grateful to be of support. Having this podcast keeps me going, so you guys being listeners. You being a listener helps me stay on my alcohol-free journey. So I appreciate you so much for your encouragement, your support and I just love you guys. I appreciate for you guys ordering the book, pre-ordering it, order a couple, send them as gifts.

Deb:

The holidays are coming. Dry January is coming or dry-ish January. Whatever you're doing, I'm just cheering you on. So big time cheers, lots and lots of love. I will see you guys next week. Podcast interviews are coming back, but I wanted to share with you a little bit behind the scenes of the book. You're my favorites, so I wanted you guys to hear a little bit directly from me. Talk to y'all later. Big time cheers to you for tuning in to the Thriving podcast. I hope you will take something from today's episode and make one small change that will help you to thrive and have fun in life without alcohol. If you enjoyed this episode and you'd like to help support the podcast, please share it with others. Post about it on social. Send up a flare or leave a rating and a review. I am cheering for you as you discover the world of non alcoholic drinks and as you journey towards authentic freedom. See you in the next episode.