Merken I discovered this mocktail on a restless Tuesday night when my sleep schedule had gone completely sideways. After scrolling through countless wellness trends, I found myself drawn to the simplicity of tart cherry juice and magnesium—two ingredients that promised calm without pretense. The first time I mixed one together, standing barefoot in my kitchen at 10 PM, I was struck by how something so straightforward could feel almost ritual-like. That first sip, tart and gently fizzy, became my signal to the day that it was finally time to wind down.
I remember making this for my roommate after she mentioned struggling through another all-nighter at work. She was skeptical—rightfully so, given the wellness industry's endless empty promises—but something about sharing this quiet moment before bed shifted something for both of us. She started making it too, and now when either of us is having a rough week, there's an unspoken understanding that mocktail night means we're taking care of ourselves together.
Ingredients
- Tart cherry juice (4 oz / 120 ml, 100% unsweetened): This is the heart of the drink—the tartness grounds it and the juice naturally contains compounds associated with better sleep. I learned to avoid the sweetened versions, which mask the real flavor and defeat the purpose of drinking something so intentional.
- Sparkling water (1/4 cup / 60 ml, unflavored): The bubbles add a lightness that keeps this from feeling heavy before bed, and unflavored water lets the cherry shine through without competing flavors.
- Magnesium powder supplement (1 tablespoon / 15 ml, cold-water soluble): This is where the calming magic happens—choose a powder that actually dissolves in cold liquid, and skip magnesium oxide because it just sits at the bottom like grit and tastes bitter.
- Fresh lemon juice (1 teaspoon / 5 ml, optional): A tiny squeeze brightens the drink and adds complexity that makes it feel intentional rather than medicinal.
- Ice cubes: Essential for keeping everything cold and making the drink feel refreshing rather than like you're taking a supplement.
- Lemon wheel or fresh mint (optional garnish): A small touch that transforms this from a drink into a moment—it makes the whole ritual feel worth your time.
Instructions
- Start with a cold glass:
- Fill your glass generously with ice cubes—this keeps everything properly chilled and prevents the drink from becoming diluted as the ice slowly melts. A colder drink also tastes noticeably better.
- Pour the base:
- Add the tart cherry juice first, then the optional lemon juice if you're using it. The tartness should hit you immediately when you smell it—that's how you know the cherries are real.
- Dissolve the magnesium:
- Sprinkle the magnesium powder over the juice and stir or whisk vigorously for about 30 seconds until it's completely dissolved. Any grittiness left behind will remind you of the drink's purpose in an unpleasant way, so take a moment to get this right.
- Add the sparkle:
- Top the glass with sparkling water and give it a gentle stir to combine everything without losing the bubbles. This is the moment the drink transforms from supplement to beverage.
- Finish and serve:
- Add a lemon wheel or mint sprig if you have them, then sip slowly 30 to 60 minutes before bed. The ritual of preparing and drinking this matters as much as the ingredients themselves.
Merken There was a particular night when everything felt overwhelming—work stress, family stuff, the general weight of things—and I made this mocktail almost automatically, the way you might reach for a sweater. As I drank it, watching the ice slowly melt and the color deepen, I realized I wasn't just trying to fall asleep. I was giving myself permission to stop. That's when this simple drink became something more than a recipe.
The Science Behind the Ritual
Tart cherry juice contains natural compounds that research suggests may support better sleep, while magnesium helps relax muscles and calm the nervous system. But honestly, the science matters less than the fact that dedicating three minutes to making something intentional signals to your body that rest is coming. Sometimes the ritual itself does half the work.
Making It Your Own
I've experimented with variations depending on my mood and what's in my kitchen. Sometimes I add a tiny drizzle of honey if I want something slightly sweeter, or swap the lemon for a small splash of lime juice when I'm craving something different. The core stays the same, but the flexibility is what keeps it from feeling like medicine. You might discover that a splash of pomegranate juice or a hint of ginger makes it feel more like yours.
Creating a Bedtime Ritual
The best part about this mocktail is that it transforms the moment before bed into something intentional and caring. Prepare it slowly, sip it sitting down, maybe read a few pages or just sit in quiet for a moment. The drink is only part of the ritual—the real magic is in deciding that you deserve rest. Here are a few ways to make it work even better for you:
- Prepare it at the same time each night to train your body's natural rhythms and create an anchor for your bedtime routine.
- Keep all your ingredients in one place so making the mocktail becomes automatic and feels less like a chore when you're already tired.
- Pair it with something calming like gentle music or a few minutes away from screens to let the full effect sink in.
Merken This mocktail reminds me that the smallest acts of self-care—three minutes with the right ingredients—can shift an entire evening. Make it tonight.
Fragen & Antworten zum Rezept
- → Welche Hauptzutaten werden verwendet?
Sauerkirschsaft, prickelndes Wasser, Magnesiumpulver und optional frischer Zitronensaft.
- → Wie lange dauert die Zubereitung?
Die Zubereitung dauert etwa drei Minuten ohne Kochen.
- → Was bewirkt das Magnesium im Getränk?
Magnesium unterstützt die Entspannung und kann zur Beruhigung vor dem Schlafengehen beitragen.
- → Ist das Getränk für bestimmte Ernährungsweisen geeignet?
Ja, es ist vegan und glutenfrei sowie frei von den häufigsten Allergenen.
- → Wie sollte man das Getränk servieren?
Mit Eiswürfeln in einem Glas, garniert mit Zitronenscheibe oder frischer Minze.
- → Kann der Geschmack angepasst werden?
Optional kann Zitronensaft oder ein Süßungsmittel wie Honig oder Agavendicksaft hinzugefügt werden.