Thriving Alcohol-Free with Mocktail Mom

EP 130 | The Confidence To Say NO: A Mocktail Journey, Meet Felicia Marshall

• Deb, Mocktail Mom • Season 2 • Episode 130

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Ever been handed a cocktail menu and felt that flicker of pressure to justify your choice? We’ve been there. Today, we celebrate the beauty of alcohol-free living with Felicia from Mocktailing Around—creator, homeschool mom, and unapologetic champion of drinks that look stunning, taste vibrant, and leave you clear-headed for tomorrow.

We kick off by building a blueberry mojito that proves presentation and flavor can carry the whole experience. From mint-smacking and gentle muddling to smart garnishes and fizz, you’ll pick up practical techniques to make your glass pop. We also explore simple ways to add depth, like botanical zero-proof spirits with blueberry-ginger-mint notes or a touch of spice from an NA “bourbon” alternative. 

The heart of our talk centers on confidence and boundaries. Felicia shares how she learned to say no at corporate happy hours, the awkward questions that follow, and why “I’m not drinking today” is enough. A powerful story unfolds: a table that mocked our mocktails returned a year later and ordered them too. Your no can change the room. We dig into scripts, social strategies, and the importance of curating a circle that respects your lines—especially in the early days.

You’ll also hear insider tips for ordering off-menu when a bar has no mocktail list: ask for a fruit-forward mojito build or invite the bartender to be creative and match a photo you love. Most pros light up when they get to craft something beautiful. Between content creation insights, homeschool rhythms, and a proud archery win, this conversation blends real life with practical alcohol-free tools—and offers favorite picks like crisp NA rosé and peach Bellini–style bubbles to keep on hand.

If this resonates, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s sober curious, and leave a quick review so more people can find alcohol-free confidence and joy. Cheers to bold boundaries and beautiful drinks.


Give Felicia a follow on Instagram: @MocktailingAround & be inspired by her beautiful mocktails! 

To purchase Amethyst Non-Alcoholic Spirits, code MOCKTAILMOM will save 20%

Send me a message about the show!

Click HERE to join the next Mocktail Challenge!

Click HERE to snag a list of some of my favorite non-alcoholic drinks & brands.

You are loved. Big Time Cheers!

SPEAKER_00:

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. Alcohol is maybe a form of self-care for you, or 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, hey friends. It's Deb. Welcome back to Thriving Alcohol Free with Mocktail Mom. I'm so happy you're here. We have, I am her biggest fan on Instagram. You guys, Felicia Marshall of Mocktailing Around is here to join me today, to join us. And we are going to hear a little bit of her story, her background. We're going to make a mocktail together that she shared with me. Felicia, how are you? I'm good. Hi, Deb. How are you? I'm great. Oh my gosh. I love you so much. I love following you. Your page is so uplifting and beautiful. Everything that you make, your mocktails are beautiful, stunning. I want everybody to be following you. Mocktailing Around is your Instagram handle.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you so much for having me, Deb. This is such an honor to be on your podcast. I've been following you for years and I love what you're doing, your platform. Thank you. You're just so uplifting. Your energy unmatched.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh.

SPEAKER_02:

And I'm just excited to be here today.

SPEAKER_00:

I am so really, I want, if you're on Instagram and you're listening to this, go right now and follow Mocktailing around. She has the most beautiful mocktail creations and her garnishes everything. She's actually going to be a presenter at the Mocktail Summit 2026. Felicia's going to be making, um, I'm so excited to have you. You're going to be doing a batched mocktail and then dressing it up three different ways, three different ways to garnish. I'm going to learn. I'm so excited because I, number one, always forget the garnish. I'll even have it sitting there. I forget to put it in the drink and then I start, whatever I'm doing, moving on with my life. So I can't wait. You're going to slow me down. You're going to slow us all down and show us how to like make these drinks look beautiful. So can I read your bio, a little bit of your bio so everybody knows a little bit about a little background of you? Would that be okay? Yes, go ahead. Okay, perfect. Okay. Felicia Marshall is the creator behind Mocktailing Around, a lifestyle brand that celebrates alcohol-free living through beautiful, wow-worthy drinks. And yes, they are. As a home mocktail maker and content creator, she shares simple yet elegant alcohol-free recipes that make everyday moments feel special. Oh, I love that. Through Mocktailing Around, Felicia encourages others to live boldly in their alcohol-free lifestyle, embracing their decision with confidence and joy. She champions the power of presentation, flavor, and experience, proving that you don't need alcohol to enjoy life. I love it. Yeah, love it. Your message is so on point. Okay. Do you want to make your mocktail that you shared with me? We're going to make a little blueberry mojito. Okay, we have our, I have in my glass, I already put my blueberries in.

SPEAKER_02:

So so yes, I've already put everything in here too. So I put in the blueberries, I put in the mint. And I did smack my mitt a little bit, and I always put it at the bottom because I'm still gonna muddle it with everything else. I love that. Um, I have my limes in there, or you can use lime juice, uh, one ounce of lime juice, one ounce of agave, or you can use a half an ounce if you don't like it to be too sweet. And right now we're gonna muddle, and I'm gonna use your phrase, we're gonna muddle like a mother.

SPEAKER_00:

Let's do it. Let's do it. Okay, so I'm putting in my mint leaves right now. I like that, that little tip that you said um to put the mint leaves at the bottom, because like obviously, as we muddle it, it's gonna, if you muddle too much on the mint, it's gonna make it bitter. We don't want to do that.

SPEAKER_02:

I didn't know that when I first started that because I'm a home mocktail maker. I am not a bartender. Same. And so I took a class and it's like, oh, you don't want to bruise the mint, because I know I was bruising that mint. You're beating it up, you're beating the mint.

SPEAKER_00:

Same, same. I was like, yeah, you're gonna learn from me, man.

SPEAKER_02:

Would you get a good model? Everything's like spraying everywhere. Okay.

SPEAKER_00:

Poor Felicia, everybody. She's in her beautiful office. And this is the first time she's making a mocktail in her office for us. So we can record together today, and we can um enjoy this beautiful mocktail together. But she's in her office. So, okay, look at that. All right, very nice. I've got my um, I've got my mint, my blueberries, and I just did, I squeezed in some fresh lime juice. I'm gonna give a gentle muddle because my mint is actually not on the bottom. So I'm just gonna gently muddle the um blueberries, a little bit of agave. You already had yours in there, right? I do. Okay, perfect.

SPEAKER_02:

I still melted a little bit here. Do you have like an ice bucket?

SPEAKER_00:

I don't have it out right now, but I do have one. And I use it like during the Mocktail Summit. Normally I'll have my ice bucket. Um, because we're, you know, just do a lot of recordings kind of at the same time or whatever. Very nice. Okay, I've got mine. I put a little stainless steel straw in already. I love a stainless, good stainless steel straw. We're gonna add some what? Sparkling water. What do you have there?

SPEAKER_02:

I have club soda though, so okay. That's what they had at the grocery store. Perfect. You go to Publix. Are you a Publix girl?

SPEAKER_00:

I'm serious. Oh, had a little spill. Oh, did you just baptize your office? Is that what's happening over there? I just baptized my office.

SPEAKER_02:

It is holy and sanctified at this point. Oh my god. So, and I opened it prior to this, so it wouldn't do that. Like I said, I'm good. Maybe I should look it up. Sorry. I'm so sorry. It was a small spill. It's fine. Okay, so we're gonna pour this in.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, perfect. Very nice. And then you got let's see, for garnishes. I actually have some blueberries on a little cocktail pick.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay. Ooh, that's nice.

SPEAKER_00:

Garnish is on a little cocktail pick, and then I kept like a nice little piece of my mint.

SPEAKER_02:

I'm gonna stir mine up before I garnish this a little bit.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay.

SPEAKER_02:

Stir. Ooh, not too much because this stuff is fizzing white. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's a little bit fizzing up. Yes. Normally I use sparkling water, but they didn't have it for some reason. But I'm gonna use just like a sprig of mint. Nice, same. I have like a little lying wheel. Pretty. And I'm just gonna throw a few blueberries on top. Okay, look at that. Look at that.

SPEAKER_03:

Okay.

SPEAKER_02:

Nice little situation there. Then I have a I have a glass straw. Oh, you like the do you like the glass straws? I do, because I need to see what's going on on the inside of the straw.

SPEAKER_00:

I like what's happening in the straw. That actually is very good. Yes. You never know what's going on the inside of a straw. You never know. You know? The dishwasher isn't always good to the straws. So you want to know what's happening inside the straws. Okay, Felicia, big time cheers to you. To everything that you're doing with mocktailing around. Thank you, thank you.

SPEAKER_02:

Thank you. This tastes so good. This is like really my favorite go-to mocktail.

SPEAKER_00:

It's perfect. It's so good. Um, I think, well, yeah, just one thing, like if somebody wanted to add like a non-alcoholic spirit or something, probably my favorite to put in a in a blueberry mojito would be um the amethyst blueberry mint.

SPEAKER_03:

Um ginger mint.

SPEAKER_00:

It's so good. And it's just like it, it just would add like a little tiny bit of like a bite to this. But otherwise, I mean it's perfect without a non-alcoholic spirit. But if you wanted one, probably my favorite in this would be the the amethyst uh blueberry ginger mint.

SPEAKER_02:

That sounds really good. And also, I've tried adding um the virtual bourbon just a little bit because it gives that a little bit of that spice. Yep. And it's really good with it as well. Okay.

SPEAKER_00:

But I'm not gonna try the amethyst because that that sounds so good. It theirs are fantastic, their flavors are fantastic. But yeah, the blueberry ginger mint's probably my favorite. The watermelon's really good too. All of them are really good. All of them are really good. Okay, this is delicious. A perfect little mocktail to be drinking with my friend mocktailing around. Mm-hmm. Okay, friends. Okay, Felicia, I really want to hear, I've been following you, and I, again, I love following you. I love your account. Can you share just like a little bit about, I want to talk today, but kind of about like standing boldly in living a non-alcoholic lifestyle and like where does that confidence come from? You really like your page really exudes confidence and just like to feel comfortable that you're not drinking, you don't you're not making excuses for why you're not drinking. Like you're just you're just living it and sharing it. So, like, where does that come from?

SPEAKER_02:

So I guess we have to kind of start at the beginning. Um, I don't have like the typical before and after um alcohol journey because I I don't drink.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

And I was literally raised in a home where alcohol was not on the table.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

So basically, um my dad, he would tell us stories about like family members who either, I'm still trying to get it straight, they either died of alcohol poisoning or died of alcohol consumption. And so it was like the scared straight version of alcohol, right? Yep. And so it was like it was something that I just didn't want to do. If you told me somebody died for consuming it, I'm done, you know, because I want to live, right? I'm with you. And so we didn't have alcohol. So even when we went to family um gatherings, there was no alcohol. When we went to church community events, there was no alcohol. When I went to my friend's house, there was no alcohol. So we just didn't have it in our community. So the community kind of supported that decision of not drinking. So it wasn't like a big deal for me. So I'm like, okay, I as I got older, I just kind of stuck with my beliefs. And then also seeing how alcohol has affected other people. Um, I didn't want that for myself. Yeah. And so um, however, I can say we did have some influences of alcohol because I was trying to, I was talking with my sister just to make sure um, you know, remembering things correctly. But yep, um, we would watch like movies and you'll see it on TV, and that's where we got the influence of okay, there's there's alcohol out there, these these beautiful beverages. And so we would just make mocktails as kids. Seriously. Yes. And I'm surprised like our parents never picked that up, but we made mocktails all the time. We would watch Fraser and one episode of Frasier. Um, there was a pink Weber that he created. So we're like, okay, let's go grab a glass. And we got some pink lemonade and added some sprites. Okay, this looks close enough, you know. And then we would toast to that. We always watch the shows where they say, Oh, you know, they have the champagne. It says, Oh, the bubbles tick on my nose. We always want to say that, right? So there was influences. I think we like more the appearance of drinking something beautiful versus actually the effects of what alcohol could bring. So that's how we started. Now I was trying to think back to figure out like when did I really, when I was really confronted with having to stand up for not drinking. And it really wasn't in college because in college I was that student that just went to class, went to work, and I went home. So I really wasn't influenced in that way. But it was when I got into corporate America and I was working in IT at this time, and here comes the invitation to the happy hours, right? Yeah. Here comes the invitation to the, you know, the holiday parties, and here come the invitation to let's get together after work. And so at that point, I had to come out and say, hey, you know, I don't drink alcohol. And when you say that, it's like, you know, what's like, what's why? That's the next question. I never, and I thought about it, I never asked anybody why someone drinks, but if you say you don't, they have to come out back with the reason as to why are why don't you drink? And so one thing my mom taught us when we were younger, and she's like, she always would say that it's easier to join in with the crowd than to stand up and be different. So choose basically to stand up and be different. We didn't have a choice. That was it. You you stand up and be different. And so having that in me, it wasn't something new for me to just stand up. And so I was used to not fitting in within the crowd. I was used to not having the same beliefs, I was used to not, you know, being okay with being mean. And so I would explain, you know, the reason why I don't drink. And um that's when I had to, you know, just be okay with my boundaries, right? Because you're gonna still get the invitations. Now I worked there for 10 years too. So by the second year, I stopped getting the invitations, right?

SPEAKER_00:

They're like, she's not coming. Yeah. I'm not coming. We don't know how it went.

SPEAKER_02:

Yeah. So um that's kind of how I became bold and confident in my choices. Now, has it gotten easier over the years? Um, you still have situations to where you run into where people want to know if you drink. So a few years ago, I was invited by one of my friends to an end-of-the-year celebration for her job, right? So I'm the plus one. It's at this beautiful restaurant. Um, the waitress comes in and she's all smiles and she's taking cocktail orders, right? So we know where we're going with this story, right? Yeah. She gets to me and my friend, who also doesn't drink, and we order mocktails. And so when the drinks come out, I just told her, just make me something beautiful because they really didn't have anything on the menu at the time. And I didn't have like orders together back in the day. So I said, just make me something beautiful that tastes wonderful. And they came out with some beautiful drinks, right? And then people start to ask, okay, what is that? And so when I said it was a mocktail, they started laughing. Oh. They literally mocked us for ordering mocktails. And for me, like at that moment, I hadn't been in corporate America for a while. So I've I was a business owner and I could choose who's around me. And the people that I choose around me, we don't um talk about each other's choices. We kind of accept each other for who we are, because that what makes us who we are, right? And I'm like, girl, this is what you have to go through on a daily basis. And I'm like, I'm praying for you. Um, but for the whole dinner, it was like the running joke, you know, what is that gonna do for you? And and so I'm like, wow, it was just such a big deal. And then when I start to think about it, like, why does me and my friend choosing not to drink, why is it such a big deal? And I realized that sometimes you're holding a mirror up to other people because they're rethinking their consumption. So it's not even about me, it's really about where they are in their journey. And so I think it's so important to be able to say no, no, thank you. Should it be accepted? Yes. Will it always be accepted? No. But you're putting that boundary and you're doing it for you, one, right? Because it's liberation and you saying that I don't do something, and you're sticking to what you promised yourself. And then you don't know, your no may impact someone else. That may be what they needed to rethink. Well, well, well, if they're not drinking, maybe I shouldn't be doing that. So, what was very interesting about this, um, the next year they had the same um gathering, same people. Okay. I wasn't there, um, but because I was sick at the time. And my friend came back and told me that two of the people who were mocking us, they stopped drinking. Oh, wow. And they were ordering mocktails. Felicia. Like, you just never know the impact of your no that can you that can have on someone else. And so I'm like, I'm I'm glad that it impacted them in a different way because I'm okay because I know why I'm not drinking, you know, and they have to re-evaluate why they're drinking and their consumption and find out like what's gonna work for them. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

That's so powerful. That's so powerful. You never know how your no is impacting somebody else. You never know. And even like our, you know, being on social, you never know who you're encouraging. They look at your account and they go, Oh my word, look at these beautiful drinks. Like, I'm not gonna be left out. No, I'm not missing anything. You're not missing anything. Wow, wow, talk about a full circle. So they came back the next year and they're ordering the mocktails. Yes.

SPEAKER_02:

And so, like to me, that that actually does something to my heart. Oh, yeah. Because even in that moment, yes, I was laughed at, but I'm I'm okay with that. If it the results were they made a uh a thought and they made changes, it was a transformation that literally took place from our no and being bold about it.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, yeah. And what did you say? You said um it's liberating, like to say it's liberating, right? Because you're you're being true to yourself. Yes. And there's nothing more liberating than that, being true to yourself and what your boundaries are, what's right for you. Fine. You know, do whatever you guys want to do, order whatever you want. But I'm sitting here and I'm enjoying my beautiful mocktail. Yeah. Yeah. And I I enjoyed it because you know me.

SPEAKER_02:

I'm gonna pull out a camera and start taking pictures.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Do you have pictures of that night? Uh, was that before you started your account? Obviously, it's before.

SPEAKER_02:

I mean, so I have to go back and look. So I was looking for that and to see, but I I have pictures of the food. I know that.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I'd be curious. That's just such a great, I mean, it's just the true story of your journey, but it's so encouraging for others who are sitting at a table with work friends, you know, especially there's that that like pressure of like everybody's drinking, they're coming around, they're taking the cocktail orders. Okay, now I I have to I have to be bold right now. It takes confidence to say I'm to say no. Takes confidence. You know, it get does get easier, I think, but in the very beginning, it can be very hard for somebody, maybe who even used to drink with their work putties, you know? It's like, what do you mean you're not having your what do you mean you're not having a gin and tonic or whatever? Like people are it puts a mirror, like you said, holds a mirror up to them.

SPEAKER_02:

And you just never know what's going on in their heads. And so, like being able to find that courage to say, you know, I'm not drinking today, or no, thank you. And then if if they come back at you, you can just you can explain where you are on your journey if you feel like you want to. If you don't want to, you don't have to explain. Silence is great. It works so true.

SPEAKER_00:

Right. And they don't not, you don't owe anybody an explanation. You don't. I mean, you can give it if you want to, but you don't. Anybody an explanation, yeah. And I love that you well, no is a full sentence. And even and even just, I'm not drinking today. Great. What do they know? Like, doesn't matter. You know, you don't have to make any declaration of sobriety, whatever. I'm not drinking today. Great. I love it. Felicia, your story's incredible. Boy, your parents, they're like, this is who you are. Training, yeah, raised, they raised you right. Yeah. Yeah. I think your parents would get along with my parents. Yeah, we didn't really grow up with alcohol in the house. Later on in life, my my mom started drinking wine and would have like a cosmopolitan out and about. But like my dad, like, I don't maybe twice remember him having a drink, but like, so rare, wasn't in our house. Took me going through a divorce and having really hard times in life to be like, hmm, let's see, how can I numb this pain? Oh, let me see. This this Chardonnay is doing the trick. So, how do you honor those boundaries that you've set for yourself?

SPEAKER_02:

I think first identifying what your boundaries are, right? Um, don't put yourself into a situation until you know your why behind not doing something, right? Setting your own boundaries for yourself prior to even getting in the situation, right? I think it's very essential because one, you give um a guideline for others to know and understand what you do and what you don't do. And it's for yourself as well. And I think just saying it and sticking with it is the best. And then, like if you have people who are around you that are constantly trying to get you to go against either the promise you made to yourself or the boundary you set, then you have to re-evaluate who's around you. Bingo. And it may be tough, and maybe that friend that you've been known for years, but if they're not going to support you in your journey, yeah, regardless if they, you know, believe in it or not, then you have to really think about considering is this the relationship that I need to have?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

In this time of my life. Now, you may get to the point to where you're stronger in your journey, and you know it doesn't matter if people try to, you know, convince you to drink and you can still be around them and still be in the atmosphere. But if you're new to trying to not drink or try to do something that you haven't done before, it's kind of best to do what's best for you. Put yourself first. Like this is a time to be selfish, right? This is a time to say, okay, I'm gonna put myself first because I know why I make the decision not to drink or whatever it is.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

Or I'm gonna minimize my drinking, you know, if that's what you want to do. Like, know why you're gonna do that and just stick with it.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, yeah. No, and I love what you said because I think, I mean, you certainly just from no from knowing you on Instagram, you're not a selfish person at all. But I think it's so true to say, like, I have to be selfish at this time. I have to put myself first. Like, you have to put your own oxygen mask on and surround yourself with people. It doesn't mean they have to be cheering you on every second of the day, but just people who aren't gonna try to drag you back to maybe like the decisions you used to make together. But they're gonna honor those boundaries you set for yourself. Like this, I'm I'm changing. Like we can all make, you know what, we can wake up today and be a different person. Just what we did yesterday does not mean that doesn't mean who we have to be forever. We can make changes. Yeah, we can make changes. Yeah, and you want to be with people and maybe and friendships change, right? Relationships change. It's for sometimes it's just for a season. Yes, yeah, yeah. And that's okay. Yeah, that's okay. Okay, so what is you're such an amazing content creator? I mean, really, like you guys, uh mocktailing around, follow on Instagram. Um, what is your what do you love about creating content? Like you're so good at it. Just is it natural to you? Does this come now? Like, is this just does it just flow out of you, like making these beautiful videos? How does this happen? How do you do the magic?

SPEAKER_02:

I just think that I've been practicing for years. I capture content all the time, and it's a joy for me to do it. Yeah. And so, like, even before I did mock tone around, I have my personal account with just like a hundred people on there. And they're like people that I actually know in real life, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

They're like, they've been begging me, please make your account public so you can share this. It needs to be seen. And I'm like, well, I've share personal stuff and I want to keep my personal personal. Yep. So I'm like, okay, I'll come up with something. Yep. And I've been envisioning something to do, and that's how we end up, I end up creating a mock telling around. But like content creation for me is just something that um it's just the way I see the world. Yeah. So I shoot things in the way that I see it. Yeah. It's taking time to like, I'm a carpe diem type girl, you know, stop and smell the roses. It makes you be more grateful for your everyday when you can take and look at the small things and like, okay, this whipped cream on a coffee or, you know, a garnish. And that's why if you I focus more on the aesthetics because I love making beautiful things, right?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

I love it. So I think it's just like just the way I see the world, and that's how I capture content.

SPEAKER_00:

It's so gorgeous. And that joy, that natur that joy and that passion that you have, it just flows off the page. I mean, it really like it's it's scroll stopping. What are you looking forward to in this coming year with mocktailing around for 2026 as we as we head, we're in the fourth quarter now. So um as we head, yeah, as we head into next year. What are you what are you like excited about or what makes you excited about? What are you looking forward to?

SPEAKER_02:

So one I'm excited about January, the mocktail summit.

SPEAKER_00:

Mocktail Summit. Yes. I'm so happy you're gonna be a so happy you're gonna be a presenter, really. I was so thrilled you said yes.

SPEAKER_02:

To kick off the year with that is gonna be amazing. And then also I want to get into more series. I want to do um try some different content, maybe show my face a little bit more. Um because we're like we all have our things that we want to do and don't want to do. And it's like when I when I'm taking content, yeah, I am sometimes in my pajamas, yeah, I'm not dressed. And so to get that shot of you know, me and the camera is just not gonna happen. It's either we're gonna get the content or we're not, right? Yeah, but I do want to be able to, you know, plan out a little bit better to where I can get all dressed up and made up and then put myself in the content more, do more storytelling, um and maybe, you know, a virtual or an advent, who knows?

SPEAKER_00:

Great. Oh my gosh. Yes, sign me up. That would be a yes. I'll be your first sign up. I can tell you that. Um, yes, it is, isn't it a challenge? It's like there's days where you're like, okay, I'm I have no makeup on, and you know, it's like, but but you're in the mode of like, oh, I'm making this drink and I want to make the content right now, but do I really want to go on camera right now? Like the other night, I literally just I was like, okay, I'm trying this new beverage. I was like, forget it. I have no makeup on, a hat on, I have the sweatshirt I wore to bed. I'm making a video. Like, I just, it's like, I just wanted to let people know, like, this is what it tastes like. And I'm not gonna overthink it. But there are other times where I'm like, yes, I want to get like fixed up. Okay, so when you're at a restaurant, now, like, and if they don't have a mock tail on the menu, what will you ask them? Is there something in particular you'll ask them to make you? Will you have them make you like a blueberry mojito? Or what's like your favorite thing to ask a bartender to make for you if they don't have a mock tail on the menu?

SPEAKER_02:

So one, I always, okay, I do two things because like I like to have more than one mock tail when I drink.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

So I'll either ask, um, like if they can't make a mojito, you know, it didn't doesn't matter what flavor. Yeah. So I have to blueberry, use whatever fruit you have, just make a mojito. Or I'll ask them to be creative. Yeah. Because I'm a creative. I don't know what I don't know. I don't know what I hadn't had, right? And either sometimes I have one time I brought like a picture of a drink and I said, I want it to look like this and taste good. The end spelling. Was it like from Pinterest? Where was this from? What was this drink? And they made it. And it it looked like, you know, so we don't have that exact glass. I said, anything, but we'll find something close to it. And they were excited. I don't know, like the experiences I had with bartenders, I get so excited about a mock tail. Yeah. And so one time I was even um this content I haven't shared yet. Yep. Um, I had went on a Disney cruise and I actually mockedel around. I need to post all that stuff. And I'm sitting there with my shirt, and she was like, Well, we don't normally do certain things for, you know, because it's not um, it wasn't an alcoholic beverage. I said, okay. So, but I'm mock telling around. She's like, please, please, please help me.

SPEAKER_00:

We we're making content together here. Work with me.

SPEAKER_02:

And so she did extra stuff, and I'll share that soon. I was like, oh, it's so sweet because it's about the experience too. But um, so normally I just ask them to be creative because I think you find so many things of creativity, and then once they make something creative, I kind of think, okay, what was in that, you know? So I can have as a new recipe.

SPEAKER_00:

I love that. Yeah. And I love what you said, like be creative because you don't know what you don't know, right? You don't know, like, oh, they have this trick that they do or this thing that they use, this ingredient they use, and that's how we learn, right? Learn so much. Learn so much. Yeah, yeah. And you're right, like bartenders typically get excited to work with you on something. I love that. Make this. This is this is the picture. I want it to look like this and taste delicious. Okay, guys. So that's your tip for the day. Find the picture of the mocktail you want at a restaurant, right? If you're going out somewhere, show that to the bartender, ask them to make that for you and make it delicious. Yeah, that's perfect. That's so smart. Okay, so you are stay-at-home stay-at-home mom and you are homeschooling mom. Yes, I am. So any, okay, I love that. And your son, did he did, did you tell me that he won like number one archery award, right? In all of Florida? Is that tell me tell us what he won. Let's hear your proud mom moment. I want to hear it.

SPEAKER_02:

Proud mom moment. Yeah, I'm I am super proud of him because he worked so hard. And this kid is just, he's phenomenal. And I'm grateful that God gave me him because that's he's the kid that I needed.

SPEAKER_00:

Oh, and you're the mom he needed.

SPEAKER_02:

Yes, yes. We make a good match. Um, so what he did was he he's a part of 4H. And um, this is his he's been competing for two years in archery. Okay. And so um this year, it was like a struggle prior to because he's trying to be like he has how can I explain it? Like, he's a perfectionist.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay.

SPEAKER_02:

And so he's gonna work very hard. And if he's not meeting the goals that he he gets frustrated. And I'm like, It's okay, it's gonna come. And you know, this generation, they think that everything comes quick. Yeah, it's like, no, it's over time. And I can continue to say the thing, same thing. It's over time. You're gonna grow with time. And so he's been working very hard. Like two weeks prior to he was doing archery every day for sometimes four or five, six hours. This kid ain't like he's very strict. He'll get his work done early in the morning. It's okay, take me to the range, mom. You know, and so I either take it to the range, I'm sitting there, Deb, for hours. Of course, sometimes I'll drop him off and do what I need to do and come pick them back up. Yeah. But um, so he went to um the archery tournament. Kid was ready. He told me that morning, he said, Mom, I feel like I'm gonna be number one today. Really? I said, okay. Well, you can't knock the kid's faith, right? So he's like, okay.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay, yep, I'm ready. Let's go. Yep, yep, I believe.

SPEAKER_02:

So the whole time, I'm praying though for him.

SPEAKER_00:

Like, of course, of course.

SPEAKER_02:

Please, Lord, let this happen for him. And so he actually made um number one in his division for the state of Florida, which is the senior division. And when it was so funny when they were um calling the this the places, they start at fifth. And so we don't know what everyone scored because it's like an event that lasts from eight o'clock to um two o'clock. Okay. And so there were three other, there were two other sessions before, so we don't know where he placed.

SPEAKER_01:

Okay.

SPEAKER_02:

And so when they got to the second place, I was like, oh man, because we thought who's probably gonna do second place. And then when they said that they called his name for first place, I was like, oh my gosh. Oh he's worked so hard for it. And so he has other goals that he's um that he's doing. He's just an extraordinary kid. And so I just want to support everything that he wants to do. And I've been doing that, and it's it just makes for an interest, an interesting time as raising him because he just discovered two years ago that he's actually he's actually a classical pianist. And I'm not saying just a regular piano, he's the classical pianist, he has this gift um that he didn't know he had. Oh my god. And so we're going in that direction as well. And so he's kind of narrowed his things down to archery and piano right this year. And I'm just super proud of him. And I'm I'm just glad I get the chance to like watch him grow up and support his dreams because I think that's very important.

SPEAKER_00:

Absolutely. And to have that front row seat as to be homeschooling and to be able to for him to finish his work early and say, let's go to the range. I mean, if he was in a classroom all day, like it'd be like 3:30, he's off the bus, you know, you're been bored all day. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02:

You wouldn't have it. I tried because he just this is he's in high school now. Okay. So are you sure you don't want to go back to brick and mortar? And he's like, Mom, and lose my time freedom. Yeah, time freedom. So he understands, like, you know, I I like having my time. It's so nice. Awesome.

SPEAKER_00:

Okay. Okay, okay. Mom's losing her time freedom. Yeah, mom likes her time freedom too. Yes. Yes. I was an empty nester, and it seems like Lily's coming back for next semester. She's moving back home. Yes, yes, yeah.

SPEAKER_03:

Well, that's good.

SPEAKER_00:

It is good. Yes. She has been very homesick. Very, very homesick. And it's it's been good. Her sister lives in the same town where she is. My older daughter lives in the same town where her college is. So, but um, yeah, I think she's moving back home in like four weeks, and she's gonna go to school here in Louisville. So that'll be nice for her. So, yes, very happy. She's my mocktail buddy. She's my she loves, loves mocktails. Like, I mean, she has wild wonder in her refrigerator on campus. Oh, yeah, she'll text me pictures, like her books are there and her wild wonder sitting there. I mean, she loves it. So um, yeah, it'll be it'll be wonderful to have her home. But yes, to have that front row seat um with your son and be able to spend this time together with him and uh watch him grow. Holy cow. What he's gonna what he's gonna accomplish. Number one, archery and classical pianist. That's amazing, Felicia. Okay, so before we close, do you have like a favorite nine o'clock wine? Maybe like a favorite um ready to drink? Do those are those two things maybe that you that you anything you love?

SPEAKER_02:

So I do love um as far as non-alcoholic wine, is ish, the rose. Oh, okay. So good. And then also there's one that you can get from Total Wines. I haven't found it anywhere, and I don't think they even have social media. Okay. But it's the it's a sparkling wine, it's a Peach Bellini by Cruise. Okay, I've seen that there. Yeah, yeah. I always stock up on that. It's so good. And at least like some of the ones that I started out in the beginning. Yeah. Um when I first started like a venturing out into like, let me try more things, let me go to Total Wines for the first time. Then also, as far as a ready to drink, my first one was a Famosa. And that brand, every every flavor is so good. And it's I I'm drawn to the brand itself, the way they package, everything. And it just gives a whole experience. And so Famos was always my number one.

SPEAKER_00:

So many good things to drink, right? When we're not drinking, so many good things to drink. Yeah. And keep sharing your message, keep doing what you're doing, just cheering you on from Kentucky. I just absolutely love being connected to you. So thank you for everything you're doing in this space to make such a difference and to just encourage others to feel confident. It's okay to say no and to feel confident that there are so many wonderful things that look absolutely beautiful, taste delicious, and are stunningly beautiful. Oh, thank you, Dad. Just like you. Yeah. Felicia, thank you for everything. Yeah, thank you for being my guest today. 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 flair, 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.