How is a mocktail different from a cocktail?

Cocktail is a style of mixed drinks, and usually contains one or more types of liquor and mixers, such as bitters, fruit juice or herbs. Mocktail is a non-alcoholic cocktail. Mocktail is also know as ‘virgin cocktail’.

A non-alcoholic beverage is a beverage that contains no alcohol. Non-alcoholic mixed drinks (including punches, “virgin cocktails”, or “mocktails”) are often consumed by children, people whose religion restricts alcohol consumption, recovering alcoholics, and anyone wishing to enjoy flavorful drinks without alcohol. They are often available as alternative beverages in contexts (such as bars) where the norm is to drink alcoholic beverages.

Examples include Shirley Temples, Virgin Marys, and virgin-style Piña Coladas. Non-alcoholic beverages contain no more than .5 percent alcohol by volume. The category includes drinks that traditionally have no trace of alcohol such as sodas, juices, and sparkling ciders. It also includes drinks that have undergone an alcohol removal process such as non-alcoholic beers and dealcoholized wines. Non-alcoholic beer can contain a small amount of alcohol (the exact percentage varies by country), so purchasers of non-alcoholic beer in some US states must be at least 21.