Difference Between Cocktail And Mocktail: What You Need To Know
Do you want a sure-shot way to increase the sales of your restaurant or cafe? If so, serving interesting beverages at your establishment is a must! Almost every customer will ask for something to drink along with their food order. Mostly it is either water or carbonated drinks, but if you want to increase your profits you need to offer mixed drinks as they usually have a higher margin.
There are two types of mixed drinks: cocktails and mocktails. In this blog, we will explain the difference between cocktails and mocktails and how they are made. Stay with us to master their differences.
A] What Is A Cocktail?
Cocktails are a type of alcoholic drink that is made by mixing multiple ingredients. One or more of these ingredients have to be a high-ABV spirit. The typical combination is the base spirit, a mixer, and flavourings. There are a lot of different types of cocktail drinks ranging in recipe, complexity, taste, and alcohol percentage.
The mixologist needs to follow a certain set of rules while preparing cocktails. Different ingredients like syrups, fruit crushes, herbs, spices, and spirits need to be mixed in the right proportions and order. Without the right ingredients and proportions, the recipe is not considered authentic and even the slightest mismatch of ingredients can also affect the taste.
B] What Is A Mocktail?
The name mocktail derives from mock cocktail, which is something that looks and tastes like a cocktail but isn’t. Mocktails are made from the same ingredients as their corresponding cocktails but without alcohol. Hence, they have the same aesthetic appeal and flavour profile as a traditional cocktail.
It is an excellent alternative for people who like the appeal of a well-crafted cocktail without indulging in alcohol. Mocktails are often denoted using the prefix virgin, for example, a virgin mojito or a virgin bloody Mary is made without the spirit.
C] Key Differences Between A Cocktail and Mocktail
1. Ingredients
The key ingredient in a cocktail is the base alcohol. Other ingredients like fruit syrups and juices, fruit slices, spices, and other mixers are added to the alcohol to enhance the flavours of the spirit. The ingredients of a cocktail can range from simple club soda to rare and difficult-to-make ingredients like whiskey sour and absinthe.
Mocktails, on the other hand, do not have any base spirit to build around. They are often made with the same ingredients as cocktails without the alcohol, making them taste slightly different. Mocktails that are a non-alcoholic version of a cocktail are designed to get the flavour and appearance as close as possible to the alcoholic version. While some mocktails are completely new drinks that are not created around a spirit. As the leading food product distributor in India, FSIPL can help you get the best ingredients for your cocktails and mocktails.
2. Mixing Techniques
Cocktails are quite difficult to prepare and a mixologist needs years of practice to get the ingredients and proportions right. Spirits like whiskey, rum, and gin have a very strong taste; hence, measuring each ingredient and mixing them properly is essential for a balanced cocktail. Several mixing techniques like muddling fruits and stirring and shaking are used to get the right mix.
Mocktails also need the same level of attention but for a completely different reason. There are no spirits in mocktails to build the flavours around; hence, you need to mix the rest of the ingredients correctly to get the most flavour.
3. Taste Profile
Cocktails come in a wide range of taste profiles, including sweet, bitter, spicy, sour, and salty. The taste of a cocktail depends on the base spirit in the mix. Cocktails are also often very strong due to their high alcohol percentage.
Mocktails are generally sweeter, as the main ingredients are fruit juices and syrups but can have different flavours depending on the ingredients used. They are smooth and mild as they do not have any alcohol.
4. Audience and Occasions
Cocktails are generally served at parties and events where only people of legal drinking age are present. As alcoholic beverages are not permitted to be served in events with minors, they are generally reserved for the adult audience.
On occasions where a lot of minors will be present like birthday parties and music festivals, mocktails are the preferred choice. They do not have any alcohol in them; hence, there is no need for permits or to check for IDs.
D] Tips For Mixologists
For Making Cocktail
- Use fresh fruits, high-quality ingredients, and top-of-the-shelf spirits for the best flavours.
- The mixers and sweeteners need to be added in the right proportions. Adding less than required will make the drink too hard and adding more will dilute the taste of the alcohol.
- When garnishing your drink, make sure the leaves or fruits you use are fresh. Fresh garnishes add extra flavour and aroma to the drinks.
- Use precise measurement tools like jiggers and beakers to create traditionally accurate drinks.
- Choose the appropriate glassware to serve the drink.
Also Read: 15 Exotic And Refreshing Cocktails For Summer You Should Serve
For Making Mocktail
- Use high-quality syrups like Marimbula’s Mojito Mint, peach, and cherry to create deep flavour.
- Do not use a lot of sugar as the fruits and fruit juices already have a lot of natural sugar in them. And unlike cocktails, there are no spirits to balance the taste.
- As mocktails do not have any alcohol, it becomes difficult to add new things; hence, you can experiment with using edible flowers and herbs as garnish.
Conclusion
Both cocktails and mocktails are widely popular among restaurant and cafe-goers. However, knowing the intricate details of how each differs and is made will help you offer the best to your guests. If your establishment targets an audience that is above the legal drinking age, serving both cocktails and mocktails will help you boost your revenue. However, if your establishment primarily caters to school and college students, offering mocktails is the right way to go.
As a reputed HoReCa company in India, FSIPL offers a range of food and beverage solutions. We also provide training to your staff to ensure your restaurant is optimised for growth.
Piyush Chhaochharia
Piyush Chhaochharia is the Vice President of Food Services India Pvt Ltd. He has a great sense of entrepreneurship, steadfast commitment, and passion for quality in the food sector. Piyush has played a pivotal role in transforming Food Services India Pvt Ltd into a leading food products supplier, offering a diverse range of high-quality products and services to customers across India. With a background in organizations like PwC and True North, he has played a key role in growing the business and expanding the product portfolio. An avid reader and fitness enthusiast, Piyush continues to drive the company's growth and success.
