A Tale of Two Drinks
Walk into a bar and order a mocktail, and you may receive a technicolor concoction that tastes like melted popsicles. Order a non-alcoholic cocktail, and the bartender stands a little straighter. The lime is fresh. The garnish is intentional.
One is pretending. The other is just what it says it is.
But what separates a mocktail from a non-alcoholic cocktail? And why does it matter?
Mocktails: The Pretenders
Mocktails began as a way to fill a glass without alcohol. The name says it all: “mock”—to imitate. They often lean heavily on juice, soda, or syrup. Sweet, colorful, cheerful… but rarely balanced. Rarely adult.
For many, “mocktail” still conjures memories of Shirley Temples and kids’ menus.
Respecting the Glass
Let’s be clear: we’re not here to sneer at anyone who orders—or creates—a mocktail. Hospitality is about inclusion, not exclusion. If you enjoy a splash of cranberry with soda water, more power to you.
The problem isn’t the drink. It’s the word.
“Mocktail” implies something lesser, a wink that says you’re only pretending to celebrate. The word mocks both the person mixing it and the person drinking it. And that’s the opposite of what a drink should do.
A proper non-alcoholic cocktail like our Mojitno (non-alcoholic Mojito), or Cosno (non-alcoholic Cosmo), or Par (non-alcoholic Arnold Palmer) is built on respect—for flavor, for craft, and for the moment in your hand. No apology. No irony. Just a well-made drink, minus the alcohol.
Why the Distinction Matters
Because what’s in the glass should match the moment. When your friend lands a deal, or your partner toasts another year around the sun, the occasion deserves a drink with gravitas.
A non-alcoholic cocktail earns its place at the table. A mocktail, more often than not, feels like an afterthought.
A Smarter Choice
This isn’t about abstaining. It’s about elevating. Choosing better flavor, fewer regrets, and the ability to wake up clear-headed tomorrow.
At EVEN, we’ve spent years obsessing over every detail of the drinking experience. Our mission was never to mock a cocktail. It was to craft one—minus the alcohol, but never the pleasure.
The Bottom Line
The difference between a mocktail and a non-alcoholic cocktail is the difference between playacting and performance. One is a costume. The other is a tailored suit.
When the moment calls for celebration? Choose the suit.
