A “soft” drink is one that does not contain alcohol. Usually this refers to carbonated, flavored drinks like Coca-Cola (Coke). Drinks like coffee, tea, orange juice, and milk do not have alcohol, but are not usually called “soft drinks.” Cold drinks is tend to refer to anything sweetened, naturally or artificially, that is carbonated. This is a cold drink is anything served cold, which would include NCBs (non-carbonated beverages) like tea or ready-to-drink iced coffee, as well as what we call new-age beverages, like water or energy drinks.