What distinguishes a cocktail from a highball?

A cocktail is characterized by its complexity and variety of ingredients, typically involving multiple components, such as spirits, liqueurs, syrups, bitters, and garnishes. This intricate layering of flavors is what differentiates it from a highball, which is defined as a more straightforward drink that typically consists of one spirit combined with a single mixer, like soda or tonic water.

The depth of a cocktail allows for much more creativity and variation in terms of taste and presentation compared to a highball. While highballs can be refreshing and enjoyable, they don't have the same complexity that cocktails provide, making the distinction between the two quite clear.

This understanding of the difference helps bartenders craft drinks that cater to different tastes and preferences, highlighting the artistry involved in mixology. The other options don’t encapsulate the primary differentiating factor as succinctly, focusing on aspects that may not be universally applicable to all cocktails or highballs.