This post may contain affiliated links. If you click a link and make a purchase, assume we make a commission.
This is a mocktail that you can drink right before bed and doze off into cool, cozy sleep! This Relaxing Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail is one of my absolute favorites!
First, I’m not a doctor and none of these claims are actual health advice, only my opinions. But, I am a busy mom, who has trouble sleeping and relaxing, so perhaps I know a thing or two about how to create a relaxing mocktail :).
Jump to:
I’m not a super crunchy granola-Mom type of girl, but I don’t like alcohol (anymore). It seriously interrupts sleep, causes a ton of adverse health issues, and it’s just not necessary.
Now that I’m (well) into my 30’s, mocktails please…
Especially this one. I love to drink it before bed, because it is actually quite relaxing! Let’s discuss why, and go over the ingredients.
The reason that this mocktail is relaxing is because it contains hibiscus tea and tart cherry juice. Hibiscus tea has been credited to lowering blood pressure levels, stabilizing your blood sugar, and reducing blood lipid levels. And tart cherry juice has been said to also lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep because it contains melatonin.
I’d say both of these ingredients are quite relaxing, although hibiscus tea isn’t typically what you reach for when you’re looking for a sleepy-time blend…but it should be!
Ingredients + substitutions
- Passion (or hibiscus tea): I used Tazo’s Passion Tea (you can get it here) for this recipe. I love the blend and the colors, but you can use hibiscus or a rose-hibiscus blend if you’d like! Hibiscus, the main ingredient, has a ton of potential benefits (such as lowering blood pressure and cooling your body), therefore making it an ideal “relaxing” tea, and main ingredient in this mocktail!
- Honey: for just a touch of sweetness. You could use a pinch of white sugar or swap the honey for agave, if you’d like!
- Tart cherry juice: if you haven’t tried it, run to the grocery store and pick some up! This juice is delicious! Not only is it pretty awesome tasting, but it has been suggested that due to the tryptophan and melatonin present in tart cherry juice, it’s the perfect (natural) night cap.
- Lime juice: for a touch of citrus flavor, this gives it more of a “real cocktail” flavor. You could swap the lime juice for fresh orange juice.
- Sparkling water: for bubbles. If you don’t like bubbles feel free to leave it out or just add a little more juice.
The process
Making this mocktail couldn't be simpler! Just gather your ingredients and follow these steps:
- Strongly brew ¼ cup of Passion or hibiscus tea. Stir in 1 tsp of honey. Allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Fill a glass with ice and then pour the tea into the glass.
- Add the tart cherry juice, lime juice, and top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if you’d like!
It should only take about 5 minutes tops!
More mocktail recipes to try
If you love mocktails that taste like actual cocktail as much as I do, but aren't filled with a ton of sugar or syrup-y sodas, give these a try!
Variations
- Magnesium Tart Cherry Sleepy-time Mocktail: I’m sure you’ve heard of Calm Magnesium Powder by now, if not, it’s a great powder supplement that you can dissolve in water. Add ½ tsp of this powder to your tea while it’s steeps and proceed with the recipe. You can get Calm Magnesium Powder here.
- Passionflower Sleepytime Mocktail: simply swap out the hibiscus tea for passionflower (another herb known for aiding in peaceful sleep).
- Valerian Sleepy-time Mocktail: swap the hibiscus tea for Nighty Night Extra Valerian tea. I do this occasionally and it really does help you fall asleep!
Relaxing Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail
Ingredients
- ¼ cup brewed Passion tea
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ cup tart cherry juice
- 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeezed
- Sparkling water just a splash
Instructions
- Strongly brew ¼ cup of Passion or hibiscus tea. Stir in 1 tsp of honey. Allow it to steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Fill a glass with ice and then pour the tea into the glass.
- Add the tart cherry juice, lime juice, and top with a splash of sparkling water.
- Garnish with a lime wedge if you’d like!
Notes
Nutrition
Pin it for later + connect?!
Be sure to Pin this recipe (click on the image below) and follow me on Pinterest!
Janice Wise
Any recipe for liver cancer anything helps
Lauren
No, I don't have anything for that, but I hope you enjoy the alcohol-free mocktails. I'll pray for you and your family <3
Hayly
Such a great cocktail replacement. I often want something to sip on while I’m cooking and this drink did a great job of replacing wine. I think the tart flavor imparted by the Passion tea is what really drove this one home for me. Thanks!
Lauren
Thank you so much Hayley! I'm SO GLAD you liked it!
Helen CW
I just found this recipe and plan to try it tonight! This is the exact unsweetened tart cherry juice I drink and it is delicious. I don't mind paying the cost because it has numerous benefits to the body.
You really don't miss the sugar. It has such a delicious and delightful flavor I have just a small amount daily and look forward to it.
I have all the ingredients and know it's going to be amazing!
Thank you for these wonderful recipes.
Lauren
Thank you so much, Helen! I agree, you really don't need anything to sweeten it up, but I do like to use a touch of honey! I couldn't agree more, something about Tart Cherry Juice is totally addicting, in a good way! 🙂
Sor
Can you explain how there’s only 6g of sugar in a serving when 1 cup of tart cherry juice has 25g of sugar?
Lauren
Nutrition facts are automatically calculated and may not always be entirely accurate. Also, cherry juice sugar content varies by brand. Definitely double check if it's something that concerns you! Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Tammy
I think this would make a great warm/hot drink before bedtime, without the sparkling water.
Lauren
Of course, that sounds great as well! You can definitely leave the sparkling water out if you're not a fan of bubbles 🙂