Cinderella carries a name that’s exactly what it promises: just as magic let Cinderella attend the ball, this drink lets anyone skipping alcohol experience a little cocktail magic of their own, straight from the Grimm fairy tale it borrows from.
Orange’s bright sweetness meets pineapple’s tropical depth, and lemon’s clean acidity sharpens it all, a hard shake aerating the mix into that signature glowing golden color.
Pour one tonight, the ritual of a proper cocktail without a drop of alcohol.
Recipe & Method
Ingredients
Recipe no.074
- Orange juice — 7/8 oz (25ml)
- Pineapple juice — 7/8 oz (25ml)
- Lemon juice — 1/3 oz (10ml)
Method
Chill the glass ahead of time, or fill it with ice and discard the ice and water right before pouring. Do the same with the shaker: fill it with ice, stir well to chill it, then empty out the water.
Add the orange juice, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and ice to a shaker.
Shake well, then strain into a glass.
・Technique ｜ Shake
・Glass ｜ Cocktail glass
・ABV ｜ 0%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / After dinner
Cinderella in Detail
Characteristics and Flavor
The name traces back to the Grimm fairy tale — the idea being that just as magic let Cinderella attend the ball, this drink lets non-drinkers experience a bit of “cocktail magic” at the bar. It’s sometimes introduced under a French-inflected name tied to Cendrillon, Cinderella’s French name, though I’d treat that detail as a nice bit of bar trivia rather than settled history until it’s independently confirmed.
Three juices do all the work here: orange brings a bright sweetness and floral lift, pineapple adds a rich, tropical depth, and lemon cuts through with a clean, sharpening acidity. Together they balance sweet against tart in a way that never tips too far in either direction.
Shaking the juices hard with ice is what actually makes this drink work — it doesn’t just chill the mix, it aerates it, which is why a properly shaken Cinderella pours with that bright, almost glowing golden color rather than looking flat. The first sip leads with pineapple’s tropical aroma, then orange’s roundness and lemon’s snap settle in right behind it, finishing clean and crisp — the kind of refreshing lift you’d want on a bright morning.
It’s a solid go-to for any night you’re skipping alcohol but still want the ritual of a proper cocktail.
Points, Twists & Food Pairings
Food & Snack Pairings
- Tropical fruit tart — Pineapple and citrus notes in the tart echo the drink’s own fruit profile, so the flavors reinforce rather than compete.
- Coconut shrimp — The coconut’s sweetness and light crunch play off the drink’s tropical juices, while the citrus cuts through any richness.
- Vanilla panna cotta — Its creamy sweetness softens the cocktail’s acidity, and the vanilla rounds out the fruit’s brighter edges.
Bartender’s Tip
A common mistake is under-shaking, which leaves the juices separated and flat-looking. Since there’s no alcohol to bind the mix, shake harder and longer than usual for that signature glowing, well-blended pour.
Twists
- Sparkling Cinderella — Top with a splash of soda water for a lighter, fizzier finish.
- Coconut Cinderella — Add a splash of coconut cream for a richer, more tropical body.
- Grenadine Sunset — Add a dash of grenadine before serving for a sunset-gradient look and a touch more sweetness.
I’d personally push the sparkling version for daytime service — it keeps the same golden color but feels noticeably lighter on the palate.
Recipe Video
- Recipe Video ｜ enderly Miyazaki Yuko Channel Home
