Let Me Tell You About My Sleepy Girl Tart Cherry Mocktail Obsession
Alright, I have to admit something: I’m not always the best at winding down before bed. There was this one night when I was tossing and turning, and my brain was doing cartwheels, you know? That’s when I stumbled into the kitchen and (without much of a plan, honestly) started mixing up this tart cherry mocktail everyone was raving about on TikTok. Well, let’s just say it became my little bedtime ritual. If you hear me slurping at 10 pm, no you didn’t! Also, don’t ask me how many glasses I’ve spilled while half-asleep. (Not proud, but that’s life!)
But seriously, this drink is now my answer to “I need to chill out but still want something delicious.” Plus, pouring something into a fancy glass just makes me feel like I’ve got my life together, even if I’m in fuzzy socks and there’s dog hair on everything.
Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least Why I Do)
I make this when I can’t stop my brain from spinning. My family actually thinks I’m a bit odd for drinking cherry juice at night, but guess what? My sister tried it once and now she texts me for the recipe, so there! I also love that you can just throw it together—no complicated steps or fancy gear. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate that it’s forgiving if you mess up the order, or forget to stir, or accidentally use sparkling water instead of regular (which, not gonna lie, is actually pretty good). Sometimes I get lazy and skip the garnish, but when I do actually add it, I feel so posh. It’s the little things.
What You’ll Need (With My Usual Swaps)
- Tart cherry juice (unsweetened is best, but my gran swears by Ocean Spray. Cheap store brand? Works a treat in a pinch.)
- Magnesium powder (I use the raspberry lemon one from Natural Calm but if you skip it, that’s fine—just not quite the same “sleepy” effect)
- Ice (One big chunk, or crushed—if you forget to refill the tray, like me, cold water works. Not ideal, but it’ll do!)
- Club soda or sparkling water (LaCroix if I’m feeling fancy, but I’ve used seltzer form the bodega and survived)
- Optional: A splash of vanilla extract, a bit of honey, or some fresh mint. I once tossed in a basil leaf by accident and it was…interesting
How to Make It (My Way, or Close Enough)
- Get your favorite glass. Or a mug, I won’t judge.
- Pour about 1/2 cup tart cherry juice over a heap of ice. (I usually eyeball it, but if you love rules, go wild with a measuring cup!)
- Scoop in a teaspoon of magnesium powder. Stir gently. It might fizz up a bit, but don’t panic. Sometimes, if I’m distracted, I forget this step until after adding the soda. Not a big deal.
- Top with club soda or sparkling water, just enough to fill the glass. The fizz makes it feel special. This is where I sneak a sip, just to check if it needs a drop of honey or vanilla.
- Garnish with fresh mint, or not. A sleepy girl doesn’t always have time for frills.
- Give it a gentle stir, or just swirl the glass around a bit (I actually find it works better if you let it sit for a minute to let the magnesium dissolve—learned that the hard way!)
Little Notes I’ve Learned
- If your magnesium doesn’t dissolve right away, just give it a few extra stirs. Or ignore it and enjoy a slightly grainy first sip, like I do. No biggie.
- I thought more cherry juice = better, but actually, it’s a bit much. Stick to half a cup.
- If you go heavy on the honey, it tastes weirdly like cough syrup. Trust me, don’t.
Variations I’ve Messed Around With
- Once I used coconut water instead of club soda. Tasted like vacation—well, kind of. Not bad, but not my favorite.
- Lemon juice for a little zing? Yes! But don’t overdo it or you’ll wince.
- I tossed in lavender syrup one time. Yikes, too floral. My neighbor loved it though, so maybe it’s just me?
Do You Need Fancy Equipment? Nah
I use a proper bar spoon when I can find it (usually hiding in the drawer with the potato peeler). More often, I just use a fork or even a chopstick. No shaker or anything wild needed. If your ice is in a giant chunk, just whack it with a wooden spoon—works like a charm.
How to Store (But Mine Disappears Fast)
If you want to prep ahead, you can mix the juice and magnesium and keep it in the fridge for a day. Add bubbles and ice right before drinking. Though honestly, in my house it never lasts more than a day! The magnesium settles, so give it a swirl if it’s been sitting.
Serving Time—How I Like It
I mostly sip this in my PJs about an hour before bed, with a good book (or okay, scrolling #sleepygirlmocktail for the 100th time). Sometimes I serve it in a wine glass just to feel fancy—my friend brings her own reusable straw, which I always forget. Top tip: it’s extra nice with a few frozen cherries tossed in, like little edible ice cubes.
Things I’ve Learned to Avoid
- I once tried rushing the magnesium powder in—major clumps. Just be patient or you’ll regret it (I did)
- Warm club soda? Nope. I thought it wouldn’t matter, but it does—trust me.
- Don’t try to double the recipe in a huge pitcher unless you plan to drink it all right away—it loses its fizz, which is kind of the point.
Your Questions (Because I’ve Heard Them All)
- Can I use regular cherry juice?
Sure, but it’s the tart cherry that’s supposed to help with sleep. I won’t tell if you fudge it once in a while. - What if I can’t find magnesium powder?
Skip it, or try magnesium glycinate. Not all magnesium supplements dissolve well—test a little first or you might get a weird texture. - Is this safe for kids?
I mean, I’m not a doctor, but I let my niece try a tiny sip without the magnesium and she loved it. Maybe ask your GP if you’re unsure, yeah? - Can I make this ahead?
Yep, but add the fizzy stuff just before drinking or you’ll get a sad, flat drink. Learned that the hard way.
There you have it. Sleepy Girl Tart Cherry Mocktail—my not-so-secret bedtime favorite. If you try something wild with it, let me know. And if you spill some on your pajamas, well, welcome to the club.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup tart cherry juice (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup sparkling water or club soda
- 1 tablespoon magnesium powder (unflavored or berry-flavored)
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2-3 fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slice or cherry for garnish
Instructions
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1Fill a glass with ice cubes.
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2Pour tart cherry juice and sparkling water into the glass.
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3Add magnesium powder and stir well until fully dissolved.
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4Mix in honey or agave syrup and fresh lemon juice. Stir to combine.
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5Gently bruise mint leaves and add them to the drink.
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6Garnish with a lemon slice or cherry and enjoy immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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