Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail

Tart, subtly sweet, and bubbly, this Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail with just 5 ingredients can be made in 5 minutes! Easy to make and tested to perfection, it’s the best nightcap after a long day, allowing you to unwind and achieve a good night’s rest so you wake up feeling energized and ready to tackle the day. You’re going to love this fun mocktail recipe! 

What is a Sleepy Girl Mocktail?

If you’ve been online much in the past few years, you’ve probably come across a tart cherry mocktail or sleepy girl mocktail recipe. It took the internet by storm, and for good reason! 

The sleepy girl mocktail is a tasty, non-alcoholic drink that’s made with tart cherry juice and other ingredients to promote relaxation and help you fall asleep. It’s the best evening drink!

Why You’ll Love This Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail

• Easy to Make – With only 5 ingredients and no fancy equipment, this drink couldn’t be easier to create! Just combine, sip, and settle in to relax.
• Perfect Balance of Flavors – This tart cherry juice pairs perfectly with the refreshing lime and tangy apple cider vinegar. Then, ginger beer adds a touch of fizz and just the right amount of sweetness!
• Health Benefits – Tart cherry juice is often considered a superfood and can help improve sleep, reduce inflammation, and lower blood pressure, making it the perfect addition to the end of your day! 
• Feels Like a Treat – With its bright, beautiful color and complex flavor profile, this mocktail looks and tastes like a fancy drink, making for an elevated evening routine. 

Pair this drink with a Kitchen Sink Cookie for an evening treat!

Ingredients in a Tart Cherry Mocktail

With just 5 ingredients, this mocktail is so easy to put together! Here’s what you’ll need:

• Ice – A few ice cubes are all you need, but use as little or as much as you like. 
• Pure Tart Cherry Juice – Pure tart cherry juice is rich, tangy, bold, and slightly sweet. Look for the pure stuff, and refrigerate the bottle once you open it. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar – This enhances the tangy flavor and can help control blood sugar, adding to the health benefits of this drink. 
• Fresh Lime Juice – We prefer the flavor of fresh-squeezed juice for this drink. It’s perfect because you can also use extra wedges and the peel for the garnish. Swap out with store-bought lime juice if you want to!
• Ginger Beer – Adding ginger beer gives this cocktail depth in flavor and adds a delicious fizzy finish. However, if you’re not a fan of ginger beer (or don’t have it on hand), you can always substitute a prebiotic soda instead! 

How to Make a Sleepy Girl Mocktail

All you need is a glass and 3-5 minutes to make this mocktail. No shaking or blending required! Here’s how to make a quick tart cherry juice mocktail: 

1. Fill a glass with ice. 
2. Pour in all the ingredients except the ginger beer. 
3. Stir lightly, then top the glass with the ginger beer (or soda), and garnish with a lime wedge for an extra special touch. 
4. That’s it! Sit back, relax, and enjoy.

You’ll Also Love: Cranberry Orange Ginger Beer Cocktail

Garnish Ideas

A beautiful garnish can take your tart cherry juice mocktail to the next level, making it feel extra special and elegant with minimal effort. Here are some fun and creative ways to garnish your drink:

• Fresh Cherries – Add a couple of fresh or frozen cherries to the glass. Or, skewer them on a cocktail pick for a classic touch.
• Citrus Twist – A thin strip of lemon or orange peel adds a bright, zesty aroma and looks stunning on the rim of the glass.
• Mint Sprig – A fresh sprig of mint brings a refreshing contrast to the tartness of the cherry juice. Gently clap the mint leaves before adding them to release their aroma.
• Edible Flowers – Float a delicate edible flower like a pansy or chamomile blossom on top for a beautiful, Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Sugar Rim – Dip the glass rim in a little lime juice, and coat it with fine sugar or pink Himalayan salt for a sweet or slightly salty twist.
• Cinnamon Stick – For a cozy, spiced variation, stir your drink with a cinnamon stick and leave it in the glass as a garnish.
• Pomegranate Arils – Sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds on top for a pop of color and an extra burst of tart sweetness.

Tips

• This mocktail is best made fresh!
• Use pure cherry juice and fresh lime juice if possible for the best flavor and nutrition.
• Add ginger beer or prebiotic soda to taste.
• Serve this mocktail in pretty Vintage Cocktail Glasses to take it up a notch!

Tart Cherry Juice Mocktail Variations

We love to keep this recipe simple and easy, but feel free to mix things up and make it your own! Some of our favorite variations and additions include: 

• Cherry Ginger Fizz – Stir in ½ teaspoon grated fresh ginger for a slightly spicy kick.
• Vanilla Cherry Mocktail – Add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract to enhance the natural sweetness of the cherries.
• Coconut Cherry Cooler – Mix in ¼ cup coconut water for a tropical, hydrating variation with a subtle nutty taste.
• Cherry Arnold Palmer – Combine ½ cup tart cherry juice with ½ cup iced tea (black or green tea works best) for a refreshing, tea-infused mocktail.
• Herbal Cherry Elixir – Add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary to the drink, and let it infuse for a few minutes for an herbal twist.
• Creamy Cherry Dream – Blend the mocktail with 2 tablespoons of coconut milk. Then, serve it over ice for a creamy consistency.

More Mocktail Recipes

• Strawberry Lime Mocktail Margarita
• Cucumber Lime Spritzer
• Creamy Blood Orange Mocktail

More Alcohol-Free Drink Recipes You’ll Love

• Dirty Chai Latte
• Vanilla Matcha Latte
• Refreshing Mint Lemonade
• Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Palm Springs Date Shake

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