Announcing the winners of the HEROtini Mocktail Challenge at the Jersey Shore

Galloway, N.J. (September 15, 2017) – After a summer of waiting to hear who would win Best Tasting HEROtini Drink, Best HERO Establishment, Best HERO Bartender and Best Herotini Drink Name, over 200 people eagerly awaited the HEROtini Mocktail Challenge results at the HEROtini Happening event on September 14 at the Stockton Seaview Resort in Galloway, Atlantic County, NJ.

 

Tomatoe’s and their No-Jito Mocktail took home the HEROtini Cup for Best Tasting HEROtini Drink. Tomatoe’s also won the Best HERO Establishment.

The award for Best HERO Bartender went to Kathy Ryan for her John’s Chocolate Chip Delight Mocktail.

The Berry Sobertini from Bar One at Resorts won Best HEROtini Drink Name.

The Talk of The Town award was presented to Ducktown for the Coagulated Mary Mocktail.

Sofia’s in Margate won the People’s Choice Award.

 

The HERO Campaign promotes the idea that designated drivers can still have fun and join in the festivities with non-alcoholic drinks that look and taste like the real thing.

“This isn’t your parents’ Shirley Temple,” noted Bill Elliott, co-chairman of the HERO Campaign along with his wife Muriel. “These drinks are delicious, sophisticated and often healthier than their alcohol-filled counterparts. Now designated drivers can have fun enjoying zero-proof mocktails and still get home safely.”

Elliott and his wife established the HERO Campaign in memory of their son John, a Navy ensign who was killed by a drunken driver in July 2000, only two months after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. “We believe designated drivers are the cure for drunk driving,” noted Muriel,” who originated the idea for the HEROtini contest.

To promote the event, and designated driver message, competing establishments hosted HEROtini Tasting Events to share their new concoctions and encourage fans to vote. The Great HEROtini Recipe Book, including pictures and ingredients for all 33 HEROtinis is available for purchase at HEROtini.org.

Competing bartenders selected fun names to go with their HEROtini entries, including the Vagabond Grille’s “Mint to go Home,” and the Wonder Bar’s “Superman.” Some, such as the “Wing-arita” at Charlie’s Tavern, or the “Coagulated Mary,” at the Ducktown Tavern, combine favorite menu items, such as chicken wings and burgers, along with the drinks.

The Berry Iced Tea at the Ebbitt Room in Cape May features strawberries and other fruit garnishes picked fresh from the nearby Beach Plum Farm.

Angela Diamantis, co-owner of Sofia’s in Margate, said the contest shows people can have a great time without having to consume alcohol.

“I strongly believe in being responsible and promoting responsible drinking,” Diamantis said. “You can have a nonalcoholic drink and still have a lot of fun.”

Her sponsor, the D’Amato Law firm, is one of two sponsors backing more than one HEROtini hopeful.  Paul D’Amato’s son in law, Alex Barrera, is president of the Atlantic County Bar Association, which is sponsoring the Little Water Distillery in Atlantic City.  Local radio talk show host Harry Hurley is backing Angeloni’s II restaurant, while his son-in-law, John Baker, created “Just What the Doctor Ordered” for Steve and Cookie’s restaurant in Margate.

Glenn Insurance Inc., of Absecon and Vineland, has been a HERO Campaign sponsor from the very beginning, said the company’s owner and president, Tim Glenn. “They took a horrible tragedy and turned it into something positive to save lives,” Glenn said of the Elliotts.

Glenn Insurance is partnering with the Northfield accounting firm of Capaldi, Reynolds and Pelosi to sponsor Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar in Somers Point in the HEROtini contest.

 

Bill Elliott, Lauren Genova from Tomatoe’s, Muriel Elliott, Carl N. Tripician, Esq. from Law Offices of Carl N. Tripician, Esq., Dr. Ho Chang from Tender Care Pediatrics.

 

Kathy Ryan crowned best HEROtini Bartender at the HEROtini Happening

 

Ducktown’s Coagulated Mary Mocktail took HEROtini’s Talk of the Town Award

Pete Bennett (bartender at Ducktown Tavern), Robert Kernan (RFK Wealth Management, sponsor), Susan Gifford (Manager at Ducktown Tavern) John Exadaktilos (Owner of Ducktown Tavern) and Mike Karakatsanis (Chef at Ducktown Tavern) accepted the award.

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