Margaret Josephs’ mocktail business is booming as the drama on “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” Season 14 continues to explode.
The entrepreneur, 57, recently celebrated her non-alcoholic beverage brand, Soirée — which she co-founded with business partner Lexi Barbuto in 2023 — becoming the first mocktail to be served at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, the duo raves in an exclusive chat with Page Six.
“Non-drinkers have categorically been left out of the party. It felt essential for us to create a drink that feels and tastes like the life of the party, but can be inclusive to those who choose to drink or not,” the pair explains.
“In both beverage and sports, two historically male-dominated industries, it’s beyond fantastic to be part of fueling female fandom and entrepreneurship!”
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Josephs — who commemorated the milestone by throwing the ceremonial first pitch to White Sox player Zach Remillard at a home game on May 11 — and Barbuto tell us they had the “best time” meeting the coaches and players, their wives and girlfriends on Mother’s Day weekend.
George McDoniel, White Sox Senior Director of Corporate Partnerships, was also delighted to have the ladies on hand to launch Soirée at the iconic sports venue.
“We’re thrilled to introduce our fans to Soirée,” he tells us. “The rising trend of non-alcoholic beverages among all sports fans is undeniable, and we’re grateful to partner with a brand that focuses on inclusivity and togetherness.”
Adds McDoniel, “These drinks will undoubtedly be a hit among fans seeking to enjoy the gameday atmosphere with friends and family.”
As Soirée sees more success, Josephs is seeing more conflict play out on the current installment of “RHONJ.”
Sunday night’s episode showcased tension among the businesswoman and her pals Jennifer Fessler and Jackie Goldschneider. The women got into it while discussing Fessler’s burgeoning friendship with Teresa Guidice, a noted foe of Josephs’.
While the status of her dynamic with Fessler, 53, remains unclear, Josephs has made it no secret that her once-close bond with Goldschneider, 47, is irrevocably broken.
“I feel sad about it. I think it’s sad, but I think it’s weird,” she told us at BravoCon in November 2023. “It’s shocking.”
Josephs also addressed speculation that she and Goldschneider found themselves at odds over a conversation about the latter’s memoir, “The Weight of Beautiful,” published last fall by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
“I championed her for that book, I wanted her book to be successful. I had my own book with Simon & Schuster [that] did unbelievably well and I want only good things for her,” the “Caviar Dreams, Tuna Fish Budget” author shared.
It has been said that Goldschneider felt Josephs took credit for her securing a deal to write her own book — a postulation that the Macbeth Collection creator doesn’t agree with.
“No one gets anywhere on their own. This is a team. I have a beautiful team behind me. I couldn’t be me without everybody behind me,” Josephs said, elaborating on what led to the discord.
“I think she got very offended when I said, ‘I championed you,’ and that didn’t mean anything behind it. And I think she was very offended that I said that.”
Goldschneider, for her part, sees things differently.
“There was a trust that got broken and I don’t know that that’s so easily repaired,” she told us at BravoCon. “I’m not sad. I think the friendship kind of came to an end and I think everybody will see it and they’ll understand why I’m not sad.”
“The Real Housewives of New Jersey” airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
