In today’s episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Vanessa Royle, founder of Tilden, a brand that’s changing the non-alcoholic cocktail game with one key philosophy: flavor comes first.

Vanessa shares her deeply personal journey of going alcohol-free during the early days of the pandemic and how that shift revealed a massive gap in the beverage space—especially for people who are pregnant, on medications like SSRIs, or simply craving something complex without the crash.

From launching Tilden as a class project during business school to crafting each bottle with culinary-grade ingredients like Lapsang Souchong, Sichuan pepper, and American oak, Vanessa breaks down what it takes to make a truly adult non-alc drink.

We talk about:

• Why non-alcoholic doesn’t mean non-decadent

• Navigating the space as a sober consumer in a cocktail world

• The behind-the-scenes process of flavor development, including sourcing, testing, and iteration

• Tilden’s mission to offer inclusivity without compromise

• The rising consumer demand for adult NA drinks that don’t rely on adaptogens

• How Tilden is designing with bars, restaurants, and pregnant folks in mind

If you're tired of sugary mocktails, overwhelmed by buzzword-heavy bottles, or simply looking for a drink that delivers the entire cocktail experience minus the alcohol, this one’s for you.

Tune in now and meet the team behind one of the most thoughtfully crafted, pregnancy-friendly, and flavor-forward NA brands on the market.

Get 20% off your first Tilden order at www.drinktilden.com
Follow Vanessa on Instagram: @drinktilden
Questions? Send us an email: hello@marinamars.com

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with David Lund, the founder of Drømme, a premium non-alcoholic beverage brand that's reshaping how we relax, connect, and celebrate without alcohol. If you’ve been curious about functional alcohol alternatives, botanical spirits, or how to create a wellness-focused drink that actually tastes good, this episode is for you.

We explore the origin of Drømme; from the Scandinavian-inspired name to the founder’s personal motivation for launching a non-alc beverage company. David shares what makes Drømme different from other zero-proof drinks on the market, including its unique use of functional ingredients, dreamy branding, and the science behind the feel-good effects.

Whether you're a sober-curious consumer, wellness enthusiast, kava bar owner, bottle shop buyer, or non-alc entrepreneur looking for inspiration, this episode is a must-listen. David breaks down what it means to build a beverage that’s not just a substitute for alcohol but a category of its own.

Topics Covered:

• Why David Lund started Drømme

• The meaning behind the brand name

• Functional botanicals used in non-alcoholic spirits

• How Drømme stands out in the non-alc and adaptogen drink market

• Tips for launching a beverage brand with intention

• The future of mindful drinking and alcohol-free nightlife

Resources Mentioned:
Visit: drinkdromme.com
Follow: @drinkdromme

Questions? Send them to hello@marinamars.com

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, I sit down with herbalist, educator, and author Rachelle Robinett to explore the world of modern herbalism and how plants can transform your health, mindset, and daily routines without the overwhelm. Whether you're a wellness beginner, sober-curious, or diving deeper into functional ingredients, this episode is a must-listen.

We talk about how herbs for anxiety, digestion, sleep, and focus can be seamlessly integrated into your lifestyle, how to cut through the noise of the wellness industry, and why intentional routines, like making tea, can be just as nourishing as the herbs themselves.

Rachelle shares practical, science-backed tips from her new book, NATURALLY: The Herbalist’s Guide to Health and Transformation, and offers insights on simplifying your wellness journey through the power of adaptogens, nootropics, nervines, and more.

We also dig into the emotional side of plant medicine, the value of starting small, and why reconnecting with nature is key to sustainable self-care in today’s fast-paced world.

Whether you're building a non-alcoholic lifestyle, experimenting with functional botanicals, or just curious about the healing power of herbs, this episode delivers clarity, calm, and serious plant wisdom.

Grab Rachelle’s new book: Naturally on Amazon
Follow Rachelle on IG: @rachellerobinett

Questions? Email hello@marinamars.com

In this power-packed episode of Mocktails with Marina, we’re dropping the full audio recording of last week’s Drink Money Masterclass: a tactical, no-fluff training designed for beverage brand founders, kavatenders, sales reps, and affiliate marketers in the non-alcoholic and functional beverage industry.

Whether you're selling RTDs, tinctures, kava, or adaptogenic blends, this masterclass covers the foundational sales psychology, pitch strategy, and customer communication skills you must master to move product, build trust, and generate revenue without relying on alcohol as a crutch.

Learn how to position your functional or non-alc beverage as an experience, not just a drink. Discover what really converts in tasting rooms, behind the bar, or via affiliate marketing, and walk away with actionable steps you can implement today to increase visibility and sales.

This isn't a general sales pep talk, it's a niche-specific sales blueprint for a new wave of beverage entrepreneurs rewriting the rules.

🎧 Hit play to learn how to sell beverages that heal, not numb.

Watch the full video here: https://www.marinamars.com/product-page/serve-sell-scale-masterclass

Send me questions: hello@marinamars.com

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we sit down with Abbie Romanul, founder of Raising the Bar, the zero-proof cocktail kit subscription that's become a staple for mindful drinkers, sober-curious folks, and wellness-forward hosts across the U.S.

Abbie shares her deeply personal journey—from quietly deciding to stop drinking after one too many mornings filled with shame and exhaustion, to realizing how few options existed for those who still craved the ritual, flavor, and experience of a great cocktail without the alcohol. That moment sparked the idea for Raising the Bar, a brand now known for curating monthly boxes packed with premium non-alcoholic spirits, mixers, bar tools, and mixologist-crafted recipes.

We talk about the realities of building a non-alcoholic business as a mom of three (including while pregnant during a pandemic!), how she balances creativity with logistics, and what it really takes to scale a purpose-driven CPG brand in the functional beverage industry.

Abbie also reflects on the unexpected emotional challenges of sobriety, the deeper meaning of celebration, and how Raising the Bar customers—from liver cancer patients to cocktail enthusiasts—are using her kits to feel included, intentional, and connected.

Whether you're looking for zero-proof drink ideas, exploring non-alcoholic business models, or just want a peek behind the scenes of building a thoughtful, scalable brand—this episode will hit home.

Explore Raising the Bar: www.weareraisingthebar.com
Follow @weareraisingthebar on Instagram

Start your own non-alc business: www.marinamars.com/themodernmocktail

In this powerful episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo sits down with Sarah Kiriliuk, the founder of Some Good Clean Fun and sober lifestyle advocate behind the popular Instagram account @somegoodcleanfun. With her PR and media background and deeply personal journey through perimenopause, motherhood, and midlife transformation, Sarah shares how she went from wine-filled nights to becoming a trusted voice in the non-alcoholic beverage movement.

Together, Marina and Sarah explore the roots of mommy wine culture, the layered experience of midlife women navigating sobriety, and the health and hormonal shifts that make alcohol feel increasingly misaligned. They talk about the psychology of alcohol marketing, the rise of non-alcoholic alternatives, and the way community (and lack thereof) shapes sober curiosity, especially for Gen Xers and Xennials.

Sarah also opens up about how Some Good Clean Fun evolved from DIY shrubs in her kitchen to a growing platform on Substack helping women discover the art of mindful drinking, one mocktail at a time. She shares vulnerable stories about parenting, breaking habits, and what “clean fun” really means when you’ve stripped away the numbing agents and finally come home to yourself.

If you're a sober-curious woman, non-alc brand founder, or simply someone wondering what’s next after ditching booze, this episode offers emotional honesty, industry insight, and an invitation to rewrite the story of what celebration and presence can look like in your 40s and beyond.

👉 Want to connect with Sarah or check out her latest writing?
Find her on Substack at somegoodcleanfun.substack.com
Follow her on Instagram: @somegoodcleanfun
Visit her website: somegoodcleanfun.com

🎧 Tune in now to hear the full conversation and discover why Some Good Clean Fun is more than a brand, it’s a movement.

In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, host Marina Castillo sits down with Lila Volkas (non-alcoholic beverage educator, holistic nutritionist) to explore the powerful intersection of mindful drinking, functional mixology, and plant-based wellness education.

Together, they dive deep into Lila’s journey from health challenges to herbal healing, her love for DIY elixirs and alcohol-free mixology, and how she now leads corporate team-building workshops that transform even the most skeptical whiskey drinkers into curious NA converts.

Whether you’re a sober-curious consumer, a non-alcoholic bar or bottle shop owner, or a functional beverage entrepreneur, this episode is a must-listen. You’ll learn how to create inclusive wellness experiences, use everyday kitchen ingredients like apple cider vinegar and citrus peels to elevate your drinks, and shift the narrative around celebration and community without alcohol.

We also discuss the rise of adaptogens, kava, herbalism in modern mixology, and how to empower your audience (or customers) with ingredient education and intentional storytelling. Lila shares her tips on making NA fun, inclusive, and healing, from her early days as a spin instructor and kombucha workshop leader to now leading high-impact beverage education courses all over the country.

🔗 Want to learn more or start creating your own beverage movement?
Visit LilaVolkas.com or check the episode description for links.

🎓 For mixologists, facilitators, and brands:
Grab our Ultimate Non-Alc Menu Kit to learn how to communicate your NA menus →
https://www.marinamars.com/product-page/the-ultimate-non-alc-menu-kit

Struggling to price your drinks? Wondering why your non-alc menu isn’t selling? In this episode of Mocktails with Marina, we’re walking you through the exact system used by top-performing sober bars and beverage entrepreneurs to create intentional, profitable, and scalable drink menus.

Marina shares horror stories from behind the scenes of bad menus, then introduces the Ultimate Non-Alc Menu Creation Guide: a plug-and-play system for bars, bottle shops, kava lounges, and wellness founders.

Learn how to:
• Price your drinks using real beverage math
• Track ingredient costs with ease
• Build drink menus that are balanced and reorderable
• Train your team to sell with confidence
• Design with herbs, elements, and storytelling

Whether you’re launching your first drink lineup or refreshing your seasonal offerings, this guide is your new best friend. Grab the full kit for just $77.

Download the guide here: https://www.marinamars.com/product-page/non-alc-menu-kit