There are plenty of painkiller options to choose from when looking to relax in the evenings, from a glass of wine to a cozy chamomile tea. If you have tried everything and still toss and turn in bed until 4 a.m., then try the “Sleepy Girl Mocktail“— a refreshing, booze-free drink that promises to eliminate your insomnia and improve your sleep quality.
Originally shared by creator @caleeshea calling for tart cherry juice and prebiotic soda. Later, TikTokers such as @gracie_norton, added magnesium powder for an extra soporific boost. This special drink has become a bedtime staple on TikTok, where the recipe has around 1 million views.
The recipe combines tart cherry juice, a tablespoon of magnesium, and a dash of prebiotic soda with lemon. When mixed it becomes a match made in heaven. The drink may be a trending sleepy elixir, but the ingredients are nothing new. Below, nutritionists break down the magic of tart cherry juice, and why this drink is a go-to for you if looking to treat your insomnia naturally or improve your sleep quality.
Why will the Sleepy Girl Mocktail make you fall at the end of the day?
Magnesium and cherry juice are known to be powerhouses in addition to being a natural remedy for anxiety and insomnia, so it makes sense that the Sleepy Girl mocktail has such good reviews.
According to Jenna Stangland, RD, a registered dietitian and specialist in sports dietetics for Momentous, magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in the functions of the nervous system, which is directly linked to sleep, as it has a lot to do with the relaxation of muscles, making it a great supplement before going to sleep. If you’re feeling tense, stressed, or just annoyed, magnesium can help you relax physically and mentally, as it also helps balance neurotransmitters, reducing stress and anxiety.
One of these neurotransmitters is called GABBA, which helps calm the body and therefore can be important for sleep and relaxation, says Jessica Sepel, a clinical nutritionist and founder of JSHealth. Magnesium deficiencies have been linked with increased anxiety and stress, which affects sleep quality.
The mocktail is mostly composed of tart cherry juice, another important ingredient that helps you to get better sleep. Tart cherry juice contains melatonin, a hormone related to the circadian rhythm that regulates your internal clock. When melatonin levels rise, the brain is ready to relax and sleep,” Stangland says. In addition, there is a connection between tart cherry juice and reduced muscle soreness and inflammation, she adds, which could also play a role in helping you drift off to sleep, especially if you tend to feel achy or sore.
How To Make A Sleepy Girl Mocktail
While everyone’s body is different, it makes sense that the sleepy girl mocktail has gone viral. It checks multiple boxes with the recipe and [helps] both the mind and the body get into wind-down mode. To achieve a better result, we recommend you sip your mocktail one to two hours before bed as you start to slow down and relax. That will allow the drink to get into your bloodstream and take effect around the time you would want your head hitting the pillow.
To make the famous TikTok drink, take your favorite glass and mix these three ingredients:
- 1/2 cup cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon magnesium powder
- A prebiotic soda, like Lemon Lime Olipop, or sparkling water
Feel free to tweak it as you please.
Is It Safe?
We asked nutritionists and wellness experts whether they thought this drink was safe to consume. They vouched for the safety of the ingredients, noting that cherry juice would be a far better option than alcohol or caffeine in the evening. However, wellness influencers and experts recommend that people “be very careful in choosing ingredients — magnesium oxide can cause diarrhea, as can tart cherries. It could make for an ugly night.
Moreover, we observed that “there isn’t enough reliable info regarding intakes of tart cherry juice for pregnant or chest/breastfeeding people,” so we recommend you speak to your doctor first before participating.
