EP 100 Shake Up Mocktails in Delaware with Deb and Lori Liguori!

Hey friends, we’re already laughing and having a blast, so you know this episode is going to be fun. And it’s not just any episode—it’s our 100th! 🎊 I’m celebrating this milestone with none other than the fabulous Lori Liguori, Director of HR and Marketing at High 5 Hospitality (19 restaurants strong!) and all-around powerhouse. Lori’s joining me from the award-winning Limestone BBQ and Bourbon in Wilmington, Delaware, to chat about their exciting new venture into the world of mocktails.

Lori shares why a bourbon bar is embracing non-alcoholic cocktails, dives into what it means to serve others well (she totally blew me away with her thoughtfulness at a past event), and why the mocktail movement is gaining major buzz. Did someone say Dry January goals? 

Plus, Lori gives us the scoop on our upcoming Mocktail Brunch & Workshop on January 26th. Trust me, you’ll want to mark your calendar for this deliciously inclusive event. We’re talking a fabulous brunch, hands-on mocktail-making (with recipes from my book!), goodie bags, and plenty of fun with yours truly!

Limestone BBQ and Bourbon
Website | Instagram | Facebook

Mocktail Brunch & Workshop: January 26th @ Limestone BBQ and Bourbon - Call 302-274-2085 to register today!

Join the community of mocktail-loving ladies in the Mocktail Social Club. 

• Instagram: @Mocktail.Mom
• Mocktail Book: The Happiest Hour
• Website: MocktailMom.com       

 You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

Transcript

Intro

Deb 0:01

Buckle 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 ,

Meet Lori Liguori

Deb 0:48

okay , hey , friends , welcome back to Thriving Alcohol-Free . We're already having a good time , so welcome to the party . I have Lori Liguori here from Limestone Barbecue and Bourbon in Newark , delaware . Is it Wilmington , delaware ? Am I saying it wrong ? I was saying Newark , it's Wilmington .

Lori 1:03

It's Wilmington , but that's all right , it's close enough .

Deb 1:05

It's close enough . It's close , you're so close . Wilmington . Delaware is so small it doesn't matter Exactly . Okay , it's Delaware , you'll find it . Yeah , it's right there . Okay , I'm going to read Lori's bio , just to introduce her , but I'm episode 100 . I could not think of a better person to be recording with today .

Lori 1:27

I am so excited . I am so excited to be here . I'm so happy for you , I'm so proud of you , so I'm honored to be 100 .

Deb 1:35

Episode 100 . Okay , yes , and you are so much fun . Okay , I'm going to read your bio so everybody knows who you are , and then we're going to talk about the event that we have coming up next month in well , at Limestone the Mocktail event , the brunch and the Mocktail workshop . I can't even speak today . All right , I'm going to read your bio and this is always the big challenge for me . So all the listeners know this is like when Deb was in second grade and it's like stand up to read you know aloud . Here we go .

Deb 2:03

Lori Liguori currently serves as the Director of Human Resources and Marketing at High 5 Hospitality , where she oversees HR and marketing functions for 19 restaurants soon to be 20 , across five different brands . That's a huge role . Her role includes developing comprehensive marketing strategies , managing employee relations and ensuring compliance with labor laws . Hello , not fun . Lori has been instrumental in the opening and acquisition of new restaurant locations . Lori's community involvement includes serving as Air Mobility Command , civic Leader , a member of the State of Delaware Tourism Board and various other civic and professional boards . She is a top woman in business honoree and has been recognized for her contributions to both the business and community sectors . On a personal note , she lives in Lewes . Am I saying it right , lewes , delaware ? It's Delaware .

Lori 2:45

Lewes Delaware . Really it's Delaware , lewes Delaware it's .

Deb 2:47

Delaware . Okay same thing , it's Delaware .

Lori 2:48

You'll find her .

Deb 2:49

She's at the beach . She's the proud mom to her daughter Rachel and her son Chase . And on a personal note from me , I will just say I have known Lori . We've known each other . She knows me as the merch mom , not the mocktail mom , and that's what I'm thinking .

Lori 3:09

You should be like the M&M , mom , merch and mocktails .

Deb 3:12

Merch and mocktails . I think that's like a whole other thing . We could bring the businesses together right , All right . So yeah , we've known each other for I mean , it's been almost , yeah so when you started . So the overall company you're with is High Five Hospitality I should have said that and they own Limestone . So you've been with High Five how long ? Almost eight years , Okay , Okay . So we started working together right then and I do merch for only a few select businesses at this point . At that time it was many more , but now I've taken my foot off the gas a little bit since we've been doing some mocktails , but so I know you from doing fun merch and T-shirts and stuff like that for the brands .

Lori 3:49

So thank you , I think you might need to combine your buzzworthy promotions with your mocktail stuff . I'm just thinking merch With the Mocktail Mom .

Deb 3:57

Yeah , I know Well , it makes it easy to get , like the mule cups that I have with the Mocktail Mom logo on it . I bet it does that kind of stuff . I'm like I know a girl , I know somebody who can get this Right .

Lori 4:09

Awesome .

Deb 4:09

Yes

Mocktail Brunch & Workshop

Deb 4:10

, okay , do you want to talk about ? I want to talk about the event coming up on January 26th . I want to talk about that and the mocktails we're going to make , and my first question to you , though , is all right , first of all , congratulations to Limestone Barbecue and Bourbon , because you guys have what six years in a row , best barbecue in all of Delaware .

Lori 4:28

That's amazing . Yeah , upstate Delaware , since we've opened the doors , best barbecue . It's a huge , huge honor . It's delicious . We learn from the best . What makes us stand apart from everybody else is that our stuff is smoked every day . When we first opened up , folks were like , well , you ran out of rib , you're ran out of brisket . Well , yeah , it's kind of like thanksgiving day dinner , you know . I mean , mom makes one turkey and when it's gone , it's gone . So same thing here . Like we don't serve you reheated meat , we just don't do it . So when the brisket's gone , it's gone . So so you have to get here early , so you have to plan , and it's so worth it . And our mac and cheese is amazing .

Deb 5:09

Is it ? Okay ? I love the mac and cheese . I'm a big fan . Okay , it's Texas barbecue .

Lori 5:15

It's like the real deal , so do I need to ?

Deb 5:18

wear cowboy boots when I come in January . You could do a little hee-haw .

Lori 5:22

Yeah , in January you could do a little hee-haw . Yeah , Wear a little hat . Some boots , yeah . Okay , I might have to do a little shopping .

Deb 5:28

I might have to do a little shopping . I just stay home , usually in my jogger pants and my little house shoes , my denim shirt . Oh , you can do that too .

Lori 5:34

But you can see , like in the back room , this is our rack room and it's kind of got like , you know , the metal , the wood , so it's kind of got that feel throughout the entire restaurant . So it's pretty special here .

Deb 5:48

So awesome . Okay , so you guys are a bourbon

Adding Mocktails To A Bourbon Bar

Deb 5:50

bar . Can you tell me why would you ? Because you guys are bringing non-alcoholic options onto the menu . Bringing some non-alcoholic options we are . Why is a bourbon bar bringing mocktails or non-alcoholic cocktails onto the menu ?

Lori 6:02

Why wouldn't we ? Why wouldn't we ? You know , that's the first answer . I think because times are changing . You know what I mean .

Lori 6:10

I think folks are , you know , placing a focus on themselves . They're being healthier , they're making better choices , and I think you know just like we've we modified our menu as well so that people are like , oh , I don't eat meat , okay , well , we have salads now . We want to be able to welcome everybody all the time and we certainly don't want you to feel uncomfortable here . Every experience at Limestone should be a great one and a positive one , and you shouldn't have to feel left out in any way , sense or form . So for you to be able to show up and order a mocktail and still feel like you're part of the buzz and the energy , without putting that in your body , I think that's great . I think that's great . So , yeah , we're super excited .

Lori 6:54

I think it's one , I think it's kind of the way of the future . I mean , I know more and more people are trying to , you know , do sober living , and maybe not necessarily because they have a problem with alcohol , but just because they want to . It's a choice . So we don't want people to feel uncomfortable or awkward when they come here with their friends , who may drink bourbon , who may have a vodka and tonic or something like that . I mean , you can have a similar looking cocktail and feel like you fit in with everybody else and nobody knows the difference . So yeah , I think , why not ?

Deb 7:27

Lori , you cannot imagine right now how my community is like is literally like going yes , yes , by everything you're saying . Because even just last night I was on a Zoom and some women were like , why don't more restaurants have mocktails ? Like , why is this taking so long ? You know even just some really simple . Like you don't have to get non-alcoholic spirits . Like , just make some simple mocktails . Like , why is this taking so long ? You know even just some really simple . Like you don't have to get non-alcoholic spirits . Like , just make some simple mocktails and it is , it's so people feel included . Like you don't have to be excluded from the buzz of the party .

Lori 7:52

You know , so to speak , you don't have to have a buzz , but you can still be a part of it . Yeah , just that , just that energy , I mean . And you know , like folks , I know sometimes people will be like I'll be like , oh , do you want to go out for a drink or something ? And they'll be like I don't drink , so what am I going to do ? Sit there and drink water ? No , you don't have to drink water . There's so many other options , and so we want to be that place that offers those options and I just think , yeah , how unique is it , but how fantastic is it too , you know . So we want to speak everybody's language I love it .

Lori 8:24

Yeah , so we're so excited to have you . There's been a , you know , buzz seems to be the word , but there's been a buzz and energy around here . Um , you know , one of the local freelance writers has reached out and is going to be promoting you in delaware today . Um , we've got people signing up for the event already , which is fantastic , great . So , yeah , I think I think I heart radio might be even putting a little plug out there for you .

Deb 8:49

Seriously , seriously . This is going to be great .

Lori 8:52

There's an , there's an audience and there's a population that wants this and to meet you is going to be fantastic to you know , learn about your book , which I have right here . A big shout out to the book and I , you know , I was thinking I'm like this is like the perfect size for like a Christmas stocking , like little bow , and just pop it right in there . So this is so . It's beautiful , the colors are great , sturdy and , like I said , I think it's a great Christmas present . So I might have to order a few more of these .

Deb 9:26

Thank you , thank you . Thank you Almost turned me into cocktail mom writing this , but I burst a beard . I stayed the course . I stayed the course . Yeah , okay .

Deb 9:37

So I want to let everybody know that , thank you . Thank you

The Impact Of True Service and Inclusivity With Beverages

Deb 9:39

so much . I can't tell you how it's just really wonderful to hear you talk about , you know , bringing in non-alcoholic options . I can't tell you how it's just really wonderful to hear you talk about bringing in non-alcoholic options . I can't tell you how encouraging it is . And I will say , on a personal note , you did something because I came out there actually for a high five corporate event .

Deb 9:52

I came out there for my merch business last year and I flew in for the event Beautiful , beautiful celebration of 20 years you guys have been in business and there was going to be a champagne toast and I cannot tell you how thoughtful it was of you when I came and checked in and you said hey , deb , I just want to let you know , go over to the bar and they have a non-alcoholic champagne for you . They have a non-alcoholic white , sparkling white that I made sure they had for you . You cannot imagine how meaningful that is to somebody who wants to still be a part of the party , wants to still have fun , doesn't want to feel Like I literally was there toasting with everybody else . Nobody knew it was in my glass , nobody cares what's in your glass anyway , but like , thank you so much , just on a personal level You're welcome , you're welcome .

Lori 10:39

I mean , I feel like that's one of the core values of high five is to serve others well , and I know who you are , I know what's important to you and , again , I would never want to put you in a situation that makes you , you know , stand out for a reason that you know that's not your choice . You know what I mean . So , like back then , it's like listen , you are just like everybody else . You're just drinking something a little bit different . Yeah , just not drinking alcohol , right , and we don't have to make it a big deal . You know what I mean . So , to serve others well , I mean it was important for me . One , I was thrilled that you were there , and then , two , yeah , I wanted to serve you well , because you always serve us very well .

Deb 11:21

So yeah , thank you . I will never forget that . Like I will never forget that I told my sister Rachel and I was like I cannot believe they had non-alcoholic .

Lori 11:33

I cannot believe they had non-alcoholic wine , because you know what ? You probably weren't the only one in the room .

Deb 11:36

Oh , a hundred percent . I mean , I know that now , yeah , absolutely .

Lori 11:39

So again , in the hospitality world , we have to think about everybody that's walking through our door . In our brand , buffalo Wild , not everybody's a beer drinker , you know what I mean . Not everybody is a bourbon drinker . Not everybody is a drinker on alcohol , you know what I mean . So we just have to think about everybody . Yeah , yeah , of course , especially you girl .

Deb 12:00

Thank you . Thank you , I love you .

Sponsor Message - Giesen 0% Wines

Deb 12:04

Okay , as you guys know , I love Giesen 0% wines their Sauvignon Blanc is my go-to on a regular basis . They recently launched a delicious sparkling fruit 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 .

Deb 12:20

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 Shouler 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 brute 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 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 Shouler joined me to share about the Giesen story .

How To Register For The Mocktail Workshop

Deb 13:26

Okay , all right , so I'm coming out there . The event is January 26th . It's from 12 to 2 . We'll do a mocktail workshop . We're actually making two recipes from the book , easy recipes that actually feature non-alcoholic bourbon . So I thought that would be perfect for , obviously , limestone barbecue and bourbon . So these are good drinks . So if somebody wants to come and just kind of get an idea of how to make a mocktail , I'm going to walk everybody through it . They're going to have a great brunch . Get a little goodie bag . I'm going to give the number , though I will put this in the show notes . Though , too , for anybody who wants to register , you need to actually call Limestone Barbecue . So if you're in Delaware or you're going to be in Delaware January 26th , the number to call is 302-274-2085 to register , and you can pay in advance . I would love to meet you personally . Bring your book , because we're going to make two recipes from here . Should I tell everybody what recipes we're making ?

Lori 14:16

No , don't tell them yet . You just never know , we might throw in a little curveball .

Deb 14:23

Okay , I like that A little surprise . It'll be a surprise , so bring your book , I'll sign it , or whatever . We can take pictures together and just get connected and meet , yeah , so there's that . And then , before I come out , there , though , is the Mocktail Summit , I know .

Lori 14:35

Tell me about that .

Deb 14:37

Okay , if you just want to get like the Mocktail Summit , I started hosting it last January . I could not get this out of my mind , lori , in 2023 , it kept going through like a roll . Like I want to do some kind of online event , a virtual event , where I can have people come in and almost be a little welcome mat to the non-alcoholic community experiences . Here are some options . It's not a course , but I just brought together several mocktail influencers , mixologists , brands to come in , make a mocktail with me on camera , share some tips and tricks , and so there's about , I think , this year . So we did .

Deb 15:12

The first year was last year . January 2024 was our first year and I hosted it during National Mocktail Week . So we're doing the same thing again this year . It'll be January 14th , 15th and 16th . It's virtual , so people can be anywhere in the world . We have , I think , about 17 or 18 differentocktail influencers and mixologists who are coming in making drinks . So if anyone wants to sign up , you can sign up at . Mocktailmomcom is the sign up for that , but just a good , like a little welcome mat to the world of non-alcoholic options . It's not a end-all , be-all , but it's so much fun . And then if you sign up for the all-access pass . I do a live happy hour each night .

Deb 15:48

Oh so we make , make a drink together . Yeah , very nice , very , very fun , very fun . So I know I'll see you there . I'll be excited to see you before I actually come out there , so yeah , absolutely , absolutely .

Lori 15:59

Yeah , no , we're super excited . Everybody here is really excited about I think it's gonna be a full house , so I think people could probably jump on . I do , I think . Okay , we're going to be in Delaware Today magazine , iheartradio . Like I said , we're going to be promoting it through our email blast , so there's a lot of opportunity for exposure and , like I said , we already have a list going . And , yeah , the brunch will be awesome . So we'll start off with the brunch , we'll do the mocktail demonstrations , maybe throw in a little bit of raffle here or there , and then you'll walk away with just a little goodie bag , just something little little . And then , of course , we can do pictures with you . Pictures with you , yes , we'll do pictures together .

Deb 16:40

Okay , Listen , selfies all day girl , yes , yes .

Lori 16:47

So it'll be a great time . We're super excited . And then it allows us to do the introduction of four or five mocktails to our actual bar menu , which is going to be nice . So we'll be kicking that off right around the same time so excited I'm so excited A great way to end up , you know , end out a dry January .

Deb 17:07

Dry January . Yes , so many people . It's really interesting . That's actually how .

Deb 17:24

I got started was doing a dry January . Yes , it's really interesting . That's actually how I got started was doing a dry January . I just wanted to drink less . I think what you said there's a lot of people who just want to be healthier . I just didn't want to wake up on a Tuesday with a hangover . I was like , why am I ? I just wanted to drink a little less . So I think this is , and it's so nice now that it's become so much more mainstream and that so many restaurants , and especially you guys , are now bringing in non-alcoholic options . So it's great yeah .

Lori 17:43

That'll be fantastic .

Deb 17:45

Yes , yes , yes , yes , thank you

Learning About High 5 Hospitality & Limestone BBQ and Bourbon

Deb 17:47

, thank you . Okay , Anything else you want to share about Limestone Barbecue or about High 5 that the listeners should know ? Should we tell everybody all the brands that you guys have ? You have Jersey Mike's .

Lori 17:58

We have Jersey Mike's . High 5 is the umbrella organization , so we're the hospitality organization that owns and operates seven Jersey Mike's , nine Buffalo Wild Wings , two Expectations , Limestone Barbecue and Bourbon , and we are also building Buffalo Wild Wings Go's . So we are opening one up in the next couple months in Aberdeen , Maryland , and then we'll be opening up another one in Maryland . So our restaurants go across Delaware and Maryland for right now .

Deb 18:30

So yeah , it's a nice restaurant .

Lori 18:31

Yeah , definitely .

Deb 18:33

Yeah , yeah , and I know Buffalo Wild Wings has some mocktails , I think , right on their menu , even Like I think there's some . I mean they're not fancy , but it's like at least it gives you that option of feeling included and like you could order something and it's like you're calling it yeah , yes , yeah , yeah , yeah . They are pretty .

Lori 18:48

Actually we had an event here the other night for one of our meetings that was leaving and Matt made up a couple of mocktails and he's like hurry , try this one , Try this one . And everybody was like this is so refreshing . I think it was a gin one and it might have been out of your book , I'm not sure , but it was a gin one and it was delicious . Like I don't like gin , but that tasted delicious , Like I would love that on a great like hot summer day .

Deb 19:15

So really so we've been playing around a little bit for sure .

Deb 19:17

I love that . Yeah , so that's all because of you , thank you . It's so fun . It is like it's this whole new world and it is . I found it really fun to start trying making drinks . I wasn't making mock , I wasn't making cocktails at home , lori , like I was not here . I really was never a cocktail mom , I was just a wine mom , you know . So , like I literally like when I stopped drinking that January 2021 , well , that was my first full month alcohol free I had to go dust off the shaker cup , like in the back of the cabin , and it was like I got to find this thing , like how do you use this , laurie ? Explain this to me . What am I doing , you know ? So , yeah , figuring out . So that's very fun that you guys are trying trying the non-alcoholic , trying everything out right now before you bring it all onto the menu . You got to taste it all .

Lori 19:59

No doubt . No doubt I mean because we want great options . You know what I mean . We want great options and and we want the you know non-alcoholic spirits that are , that are popular and common to you know what are they ? What's everybody ordering , you know ? So what's the ? What are the major non-alcoholic spirits that we should be testing ?

Deb 20:14

Are you asking me or you're saying that's what you want to bring ?

Lori 20:16

No , we're just saying that's what we're doing . We're just , you know , we're asking what are the ones that everybody drinks . You know what are the most common drinks and how do we replace them with non-alcoholic spirits ? So nice .

Deb 20:26

It's good stuff . It's a whole other world . I'm so happy that , um , that limestone barbecue and bourbon is bringing on some non-alcoholic options , and thank you for being such a supporter and cheerleader to me personally for helping promote this event . I cannot wait to get on a plane and come out there .

Lori 20:45

I know .

Deb 20:45

I am so excited , yes , and I cannot wait for the mac and cheese . I'll be first in line there .

Lori 20:51

I'm telling you , although I will tell you we just recently added to our menu so it's not just so , it's not the barbecue , and that might be great for your audience to know as well . It's not just , you know , ribs and brisket . We have to have burgers , which are delicious , and then we have tacos . So I'm not a catfish fan . We have the best catfish tacos I've ever had . I'm not kidding , they're delicious . We just had a food influencer come in here and he was like , okay , that brisket is good , but those catfish tacos , they're delicious .

Deb 21:34

And then we have this like texacorn street corn dip .

Lori 21:35

That is ridiculous . And if you take a little bit of that and you put it on a burger , oh my gosh , so good . So we don't just have , you know . And then we have salads . So you know , if you are a vegetarian , there's options here for you as well . So yeah , so it's burgers , it's tacos , it's the best barbecue . We got crust sprouts , mac and cheese . Listen , we got a lot of options . Hence the reason we're bringing in mocktails in . That's awesome .

Deb 22:03

Okay , whose idea was it to bring in catfish tacos ? Whose idea was this and how did this ? Start Do you have any idea how it started ?

Lori 22:09

No , I have no idea . We have other tacos . Oh , we also have a brisket melt . That's pretty good too .

Deb 22:15

Oh , my gosh . Okay , I may have to stay for like a week . I need to try everything .

Lori 22:19

Oh , and we have these like and we have these hand pies . I think they're called hand pies . Hand pies they're sweet potato hand pies with a Utah .

Deb 22:30

Okay , I cannot wait . I do . I'm so excited for anybody who has not signed up . Please sign up for the mocktail workshop at limestone barbecue and bourbon . This is the phone number to call . Put it in the show notes 302-274-2085 . In Wilmington , delaware , january 26th , from 12 to two .

Lori 22:48

I cannot wait to be there , Lori . I love you , my friend .

Deb 22:49

We will see you dad Love you too . Girl , you are the best . High 5 won the lottery when they hired you . I hope every day you are getting an email that says employee of the year employee of the century . I hope every day . That's what they should be sending you .

Lori 23:07

Yes , they are Well . I appreciate your time today . You have been awesome and we can't wait to see you .

Deb 23:14

Thanks for joining me on Thriving Alcohol-Free with Episode 100 . Thanks you guys . Love you all . Thank you . Thank you

Outro

Deb 23:22

Big time cheers to you for tuning in to the Thriving Alcohol-Free 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 .