Key Difference: Cocktails is a mixed alcoholic drink that requires mixing either one type of alcohol with juices, soft drink and other fruits or mixing multiple alcoholic drinks with juices or ice tea. Mocktail is any mixed drink that does not have alcohol. The name mocktail is derived the word ‘mock’ meaning to “imitate or mimic” referring to mocktails imitating a cocktail as it seems very similar to a cocktail but does not have alcohol or any other spirits.

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Alcohol is a popular past-time drink that is being consumed by many people. It is a very popular cultural activity that is done at almost all times. Wine and Beer is consumed at almost all times of the day. It is also used an ice breaker when meeting new people as well as an activity to do when hanging out with friends. “Drinking” has become a fashion and a trend. In many countries, coming of age (age the person can legally drink) is celebrated by allowing the person purchase drinks for everyone and getting drunk. Drinks are offered as business parties or mixers. There are hardly very few occasions where drinks are not found. Cocktails and mocktails are two types of popular drinks that are different from each other but are often confused because of their similarities.

Cocktails is a mixed alcoholic drink that requires mixing either one type of alcohol with juices, soft drink and other fruits or mixing multiple alcoholic drinks with juices or ice tea. As defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, a cocktail must have at least one spirit, one sweet/sugary drink and one sour/bitter drink. Initially, cocktails were a mixture of spirits, sugar, water, and bitters but now the definition has expanded to include any mixed drink that contains alcohol. Cocktails can include juices, cream, sugar, honey, fruits, herbs and/or soda.

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Mocktail is any mixed drink that does not have alcohol. The name mocktail is derived the word ‘mock’ meaning to “imitate or mimic” referring to mocktails imitating a cocktail as it seems very similar to a cocktail but does not have alcohol or any other spirits. Mocktail is simply a mixed drink that does not have any spirits or alcohol. Many mocktails are cocktails that remove the alcohol. These are termed with a Virgin added to the front of their name. For example, Piña Colada, a coconut/pineapple drink has white rum in the cocktail, while a Virgin Piña Colada, has the exact same ingredients but does not include the rum in the drink. Mocktails are made using juices, cream, sugar, honey, fruits, herbs and/or soda.

Cocktails and mocktails are both popular drinks that are served in bars and many restaurants. The major and the only difference between the two is the alcohol/spirit that is added in the cocktail but excluded from the mocktail. Popular cocktails and mocktails include Bloody Mary, Black Dog, Shirley Temple, Sex on the Beach, Virgin Mary, etc. There are many competitions that take place between bartenders to come up with new mixtures and concoctions of drinks that can be sold on the market.

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