If your evenings are a little chaotic (mine often involve a stack of dishes and a cat that thinks 10 p.m. is playtime), the Sleepy Girl Mocktail might just be your new favorite ritual. It’s not magic — but it’s about as close as you can get in a wine glass.
This viral bedtime drink, made with tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and a splash of bubbly soda, feels like the grown-up version of a warm glass of milk — only way prettier, and way more fun to sip. It’s sweet-tart, lightly fizzy, and has that “slip into pajamas and grab a blanket” energy.
Tonight, I’ll walk you through how to make your own Sleepy Girl Mocktail in under 5 minutes, plus a few tips to tweak it so it’s exactly your style.
PrintSleepy Girl Mocktail
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail is the perfect alcohol-free nightcap — a cozy blend of tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and fizzy soda that’s as pretty as it is relaxing. Ready in just 5 minutes, it’s sweet-tart, lightly bubbly, and ideal for winding down before bed.
Ingredients
½ cup tart cherry juice
1 teaspoon magnesium powder (unflavored or flavored)
3 ounces prebiotic soda or plain seltzer
Ice cubes
Optional Garnishes:
Lime wedge
Cinnamon stick
Fresh mint sprig
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker or large jar with ice.
- Pour in the tart cherry juice and add the magnesium powder.
- Shake for 10–15 seconds until well chilled and the magnesium is dissolved.
- Strain into a wine glass or your favorite serving glass.
- Top with prebiotic soda or plain seltzer for fizz.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, cinnamon stick, or mint sprig if desired.
- Sip, relax, and enjoy your cozy nightcap.
Notes
- Adjust the magnesium – If the drink tastes chalky, start with ½ teaspoon instead of a full teaspoon.
- Choose your fizz – Lightly flavored prebiotic sodas work great, but plain seltzer lets the cherry flavor shine.
- Make it your own – Add a squeeze of lime for brightness or a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
- No magnesium? – Skip it, or use magnesium in another form like capsules or spray.
- Serve it warm – Gently heat the tart cherry juice before mixing for a cozy winter version.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Cuisine: American
If you like to have a little sweet treat with your nightcap, my Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake is a perfect match.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Sleepy Girl Mocktail
Some drinks are just drinks — this one’s a whole vibe. The Sleepy Girl Mocktail has been all over TikTok for a reason: it’s ridiculously easy, tastes amazing, and fits right into a cozy nighttime routine.
A Little Ritual to End the Day
Even without alcohol, this mocktail still gives you that “ahhh, the day is done” feeling. The deep red from the tart cherry juice, the soft fizz from the soda — it’s the kind of drink you pour into your nicest glass, even if you’re wearing your oldest sweatpants.
Ingredients That Help You Unwind
This one’s got tart cherry juice (hello, natural melatonin) and magnesium powder, which is often linked with helping muscles relax. Add the gentle bubbles from a prebiotic soda or seltzer, and you’ve got a drink that’s both refreshing and bedtime-friendly.
What You’ll Need for This Sleepy Girl Mocktail
This recipe is as low-effort as it gets — no blender, no fancy bar tools. Just a few simple ingredients and you’re sipping in minutes.
For one glass, grab:
- ½ cup tart cherry juice – The star of the show, with a sweet-tart flavor and that gorgeous deep red color.
- 1 teaspoon magnesium powder – Go for unflavored if you want the cherry to shine, or try flavored if you like to mix things up.
- 3 ounces prebiotic soda or plain seltzer – Adds the fizz. I love using something lightly fruity, but even plain works beautifully.
- Ice – Because no one likes a lukewarm mocktail.
Optional extras:
- Squeeze of lime for brightness.
- Cinnamon stick or mint sprig for garnish.
How to Make Your Sleepy Girl Mocktail
You don’t need to be a mixologist for this one — if you can shake a jar, you can make this drink.
Step 1 – Chill the Base
Fill a cocktail shaker or a large jar with ice. Pour in the tart cherry juice and add the magnesium powder.
Step 2 – Shake It Up
Pop the lid on and shake for 10–15 seconds until the drink is nice and cold. Don’t skip the shake — it helps dissolve the magnesium and gives you that slightly frothy top.
Step 3 – Pour & Top
Strain the mix into your favorite wine glass (or whatever glass makes you feel fancy). Top with prebiotic soda or seltzer for that fizzy lift.
Step 4 – Make It Yours
Add a squeeze of lime, toss in a cinnamon stick, or garnish with a sprig of mint. Then, sink into your comfiest chair and enjoy your Sleepy Girl Mocktail.
Jamie’s Tips for the Best Sleepy Girl Mocktail
- Go easy on the magnesium – A full teaspoon works for me, but if your drink tastes chalky, try starting with ½ teaspoon.
- Choose your fizz wisely – Lightly flavored prebiotic sodas are my favorite, but plain seltzer works if you want the cherry to shine.
- Play with garnishes – A cinnamon stick makes it feel cozy, mint makes it fresh, and a citrus twist gives it brightness.
- Make it your own – Not a tart cherry fan? Use half cherry, half another juice you love.
Fun Variations to Try
- Creamy Dreamy – Swap a splash of the soda for oat milk to give it a velvety texture.
- Citrus Lift – Add a big squeeze of lime or orange juice for a tangy kick.
- Berry Boost – Mix in a few muddled raspberries or blueberries before shaking for extra flavor and color.
- Fall Vibes – Add a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon sugar on top.
If you love cherry but want to mix flavors, try pairing this with my White Chocolate Strawberry Cupcakes for a fun twist.
Sleepy Girl Mocktail FAQ
Over the past year, people have been curious about more than just how to make the Sleepy Girl Mocktail — they want to know what’s in it, if it works, and how to customize it. I’ve rounded up some of the most common questions (thanks to both TikTok comments and good old-fashioned search data) so you can get all your answers in one place.
What is a Sleepy Girl Mocktail?
It’s a cozy, alcohol-free drink made with tart cherry juice, magnesium powder, and soda or seltzer. The idea is to sip it before bed as part of a relaxing nighttime routine.
How do you make the Sleepy Girl Mocktail?
Mix tart cherry juice and magnesium powder over ice, shake, pour into a glass, and top with soda. Garnish if you’re feeling fancy.
Does the Sleepy Girl Mocktail work?
Many people say it helps them wind down, thanks to the melatonin in tart cherry juice and the relaxing properties of magnesium. Results can vary, so think of it as a soothing ritual rather than a guaranteed fix.
Can you make the Sleepy Girl Mocktail without magnesium powder?
Absolutely. You can skip it, use magnesium in another form, or just enjoy the tart cherry and soda combo.
When is the best time to drink it?
About 30–60 minutes before you plan to sleep works for most people, but it’s up to your own evening routine.
Does the Sleepy Girl Mocktail really help you sleep?
It’s not a magic potion, but tart cherry juice does contain natural melatonin, and magnesium is often linked to relaxation. If you’re curious, the National Sleep Foundation shares more about how these ingredients may support better sleep.
The Final Sip
The Sleepy Girl Mocktail isn’t just a drink — it’s a nightly ritual in a glass. Whether you’re making it for the melatonin-rich cherry juice, the magnesium boost, or just because you love an excuse to pour something pretty, it’s the perfect way to slow down and ease into the night.
For a cozy dinner before your mocktail, my Easy Quiche Recipe is always a winner.
So the next time you’re ready to trade your to-do list for a blanket and a good book, shake one up, take a deep breath, and let the day fade away — one cozy sip at a time.
Love it