Cocktails (commonly known as a mixed drink) are alcoholic drinks made with a combination of spirits, mixes (normally mixing fruit juices and soft drinks), and garnishes.
A mocktail is a non-alcoholic drink that is made using similar mixes (mixing fruit juices mostly), garnishes, and flavors as a cocktail. Just omitting the spirit base.
Though the biggest difference when comparing a cocktail to a mocktail is that one is an alcoholic beverage, there are a few other things to note as well.
Cocktails are typically simple enough as the base is a spirit (alcohol). From there you mix in a flavor or two and some garnish. Normally, fruit juices and sodas are used.Because mocktails don’t contain alcohol there tend to be a few more ingredients to nail down the flavor.