Add my deliciously easy tart cherry juice mocktail to your evening routine for better sleep! This tart cherry bedtime mocktail recipe uses just three ingredients and comes together in under five minutes.
And if you enjoy this recipe, you'll love my grapefruit shrub mocktail or coconut water mocktail, too!
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Featured Reader Review
★★★★★
"I was just taking shots of tart cherry juice before I found this recipe. Adding the ACV and prebiotic soda is a game changer and much more enjoyable. Great sleep mocktail."
-Raquel
❤️ Why You'll Love this Recipe
Quick & Easy - No fancy techniques, hard-to-find ingredients or expert kitchen tools needed for this one so it's the perfect beginner-friendly mocktail to make at home.
Science-Backed Sleep Health Benefits - Tart cherry juice has high amounts of melatonin from tryptophan (the same stuff in turkey that gives you the itis after Thanksgiving dinner!), which helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle (Sleep Foundation).
Studies have shown better sleep quality and duration, as well as higher levels of melatonin, in individuals who drank tart cherry juice before bed (NCPC).
Vegan - This drink is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and blood sugar friendly. I've been drinking it before bed regularly for over a year now to improve my sleep routine!
👉🏾 I've been all about getting a good night's beauty sleep since before the Instagram and TikTok hype so, of course I'm going to give you multiple options: check out my calming turmeric milk for a warm and cozy bedtime drink.
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What You'll Need for this Recipe
Tart Cherry Juice also called Montmorency cherry juice, is the foundation of this bedtime beverage and don't let the name fool you--it is not low sugar! I recommend using unsweetened, organic tart cherry juice not from concentrate for the best results.
Apple Cider Vinegar helps balance out the flavor profile with a touch of tanginess. I use the kind with the mother.
Prebiotic Soda is an optional addition that adds fizzy fun as well as gut health supporting ingredients to the mix. I love the ginger beer and ginger ale flavors in this recipe!
Check out the recipe card below for full ingredients list, measurements, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions!
Substitutions & Variations
Cinnamon - A sprinkle of cinnamon is a common addition for the girlies wanting a blood sugar balanced sleepytime mocktail that adds a warming spice flavor. You can also add a splash of cinnamon tea!
Soda Water adds bubbles without changing the sour cherry flavor so feel free to top up your glass with Topo Chico or whichever brand of sparkling water, club soda, or seltzer you like.
Magnesium Glycinate Powder is a popular ingredient that's been shown to help reduce anxiety and support relaxation, among other things, so while it doesn't necessarily improve sleep quality, many people swear by making the tart cherry juice and magnesium mocktail.
It's generally a good idea to check in with your healthcare provider before adding new supplements to your routine!
How to Make a Tart Cherry Nighttime Mocktail
- Step One: Add tart cherry juice, apple cider vinegar, and soda to a glass over ice and stir gently to combine. It's that easy to make!
Pro Tip #1
I like to use frozen cherries instead of ice to chill my non-alcoholic tart cherry juice cocktail because they provide a little extra razzle dazzle normally reserved for alcoholic beverages.
Pro Tip #2
Serve this drink in a fun glass and/or sip through a sustainable straw and live your best life. I'm a big believer in treating yourself and making self care fun because these days it's really such a privilege to be able to invest in yourself!
Quick Demonstration Video
Frequently Asked Questions
The timing can vary from person to person but studies recommend drinking tart cherry juice about one hour before bed to allow the tart cherry juice benefits to take effect and give you time to use the restroom before falling asleep.
I recommend preparing the cherry juice mocktail just before drinking, especially if you're adding carbonated soda or water so that the bubbles don't fall flat.
Is the sleepy girl mocktail good for PCOS?
Because I drink this mocktail, you know I had to make it PCOS friendly. The splash of apple cider vinegar helps balance out the potential blood sugar spike of the natural sweetness in tart cherry juice (NIH) or you can achieve the same effect by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon (Healthline).
And I recommend using prebiotic soda or even sparkling water instead of some of the more sugary renditions you might find elsewhere that use ginger ale or ginger beer.
Check out my collection of PCOS recipes, while you're here!
More Favorite Mocktail Recipes
I'm raising a tart cherry juice mocktail in cheers to your next great night's sleep. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this cherry mocktail recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!
📖 Recipe
Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail for Sleep
Equipment
- 1 rocks glass
- 1 spoon
Ingredients
- ice
- 4 frozen cherries optional
- ½ cup tart cherry juice unsweetened and not from concentrate
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 3-4 ounces prebiotic soda
Instructions
- Add ice and frozen cherries (if using) to a rocks glass.4 frozen cherries, ice
- Pour in tart cherry juice and apple cider vinegar then top up with prebiotic soda and stir.½ cup tart cherry juice, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 3-4 ounces prebiotic soda
Latrice says
I always have sweet dreams after making this. Thank you!
Jazzmine Woodard says
Me, too! Thanks for your note, Latrice.
Karen Lynn Greiner says
I liked this recipe particularly because it's for sleep. Karen Lynn Greiner
Jazzmine Woodard says
Thanks, Karen! So glad you enjoyed.
Elizabeth says
This is absolutely delicious, refreshing, light, and just overall, such a nice way to end the day and begin the night. I made mines with organic unsweetened tart cherry juice, Poppi's raspberry rose prebiotic soda, ACV, and frozen strawberries. 10/10 absolutely recommended! Will definitely be having this to wine down every night from now on, fabulous recipes & pointers! 🙂
Jazzmine Woodard says
Thanks for your feedback, Elizabeth! I'm glad you enjoyed this drink and the frozen strawberries sound great--you're giving me ideas!
Raquel Seymone says
I was just taking shots of tart cherry juice before I found this recipe. Adding the ACV and prebiotic soda is a game changer and much more enjoyable. Great sleep mocktail.
Marta says
I've been having the hardest time falling asleep, so I figured trying your tart cherry juice recipe wouldn't hurt. Not only was it tasty, it really did help me calm down and relax. I got more sleep last night than I have in days.
Krysten says
I already made your coconut water mocktail, so I was super excited to try this tart cherry juice drink for sleep. It was delicious, the juice was a perfect mix of tart and sweet. I used a splash of sparkling water instead of the prebiotic soda; it was crisp and refreshing, the perfect amount of carbonation I craved. This is a five-star mocktail recipe!
Joyce says
All of the ingredients you recommend are also good for relieving gout. Thank you for a truly delicious alternative to taking apple cider vinegar mixed in water to control acid.
Jazzmine Woodard says
You're welcome, Joyce! Thanks for your comment and I hope you enjoy this drink.