Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cóctel sin alcohol | /koɡtel sin alkool/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| móctel | /moɡtel/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
Both móctel and cóctel sin alcohol refer to a non-alcoholic cocktail. While móctel is a recent anglicism, cóctel sin alcohol is the standard, descriptive way to refer to these drinks in any Spanish-speaking context. If you want to be safe at a restaurant, you can also use the broader term bebida sin alcohol to ensure you are not served anything with spirits.
Which one should you use?
Cóctel sin alcohol is the standard and more formal way to describe the drink, whereas móctel is a more recent term often used in trendy or casual settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Cóctel sin alcohol is a formal and standard way to refer to mocktails. In contrast, móctel is an informal anglicism used in modern bars or on social media, but it is less common than the standard description.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase cóctel sin alcohol plural, you only pluralize the noun cóctel to cócteles. The phrase sin alcohol remains unchanged.
Did you know?
- The word alcohol entered Spanish via Andalusian Arabic, originating from the Arabic word for 'kohl', the powdered eye makeup used in antiquity.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, asking for a cóctel without specifying sin alcohol will almost always result in a drink containing spirits.
- If a waiter describes a mocktail as la bebida, any accompanying adjectives must switch to the feminine form, even though cóctel is masculine.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué prefieres: un cóctel sin alcohol o una bebida virgen?What do you prefer: a mocktail or a virgin drink?
- ¿Tienen alguna bebida sin alcohol como esta?Do you have any non-alcoholic drink like this?
- Te preparo un refresco sin alcohol con jugo de frutas tropicales.I'll make you a non-alcoholic soda with tropical fruit juice.
- Aquí en el barrio, a los mocktails les decimos "bebidas vírgenes". ¿Quieres uno?Here in the neighborhood, we call mocktails "virgin drinks." Do you want one?
- Quiero un cóctel sin alcohol con fruta.I want a non-alcoholic cocktail with fruit.
- Este cóctel sin alcohol es muy refrescante.This non-alcoholic cocktail is very refreshing.
- El menú ofrece un cóctel sin alcohol especial.The menu offers a special non-alcoholic cocktail.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are at a restaurant bar.
- AlejandroHola, Lucía. ¿Qué vas a pedir?Hi, Lucía. What are you going to order?
- LucíaVoy a pedir un cóctel sin alcohol.I am going to order a mocktail.
- Alejandro¿No quieres una copa de vino?Don't you want a glass of wine?
- LucíaNo, prefiero el cóctel sin alcohol hoy.No, I prefer the mocktail today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mocktail” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alcohol, cóctel, sin, CC BY-SA 4.0.
