We are just getting into the thick of long summer days and hot summer nights. It can also mean hanging out with friends at happy hours and enjoying a drink by the pool with family at barbecues. Times like these could be tough, especially if you are quitting drinking. It can feel awkward standing around your friends or family drinking nothing, or water. That is where mocktails come in.

There are many benefits to mocktails. For example, they are generally healthier than their alcoholic counterparts as consuming contributes to chronic disease, hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, and other types of common cancers. Mocktails also help you better socialize. If all your friends are downing margaritas and you are drinking water, you may feel al little left out or isolated. Meanwhile, if you have a mocktail in hand, you can join in the fun without having to consume alcohol for whatever your reasons are.

If you are looking for ways to enjoy the summer fun without the alcohol, here are some mocktails to try or make that everyone will want.

Virgin Moscow Mule

All you need for this drink is spicy ginger beer and a squeeze of lime juice. This combination mimics the flavors of a Moscow Mule. Make sure you have the drink served in a copper mug with crushed ice and a lime wedge so you get the full effect. If ginger beer is too spicy for you, swap it out for ginger ale instead.

Virgin Mimosas

This mocktail is super easy to make. All you need is equal parts of orange juice and sparkling water. This drink also works for any other citrus juices like Grapefruit juice of tangerine juice. If the juice is too tart, you can add a little bit of simple syrup to sweeten it up. Do not forget about it being served in a champagne flute so you get the same effect.

Virgin Cape Codder

All you need to do is ask for a cranberry lime soda instead of a vodka cranberry. The tartness of the cranberry and lime juice will be diluted by sparkling soda water. A virgin cape codder is super refreshing. Simply throw in a lime twist and voila.

Virgin Gin And Tonics

Though it may be difficult to recreate the taste of gin, you can get pretty close to it. Just mix tonic water with a little citrus juice of your choosing. If that still does not work for you and you are at the bar, ask if they carry non-alcoholic syrups that mimic the taste of gin. They may be more knowledgeable about how to mix and match everything to give it the same effect.

Virgin Margaritas

These are super easy to modify to include no alcohol. All you need is a mixture of lime juice and orange juice. Easy as that! You could also get an iced lemonade or limeade and salt the rim of your cup. It is very simple.