Bedtime Mocktail Series: Cherry Lavender Twilight Tonic

A restful night begins with the right ingredients, and this sleep-promoting mocktail is designed to help you unwind naturally.

Tart cherry juice is used as the base in this simple bedtime mocktail. Rich in melatonin (the hormone that regulates sleep), this delicious sip may help to support your body’s natural sleep cycle and enjoy a deeper, more restorative rest.

Paired with lavender tea, known for its calming properties, these two ingredients are a perfect pair when it comes to both flavor and function.

Complemented by fresh lemon juice which helps to lift the richness of tart cherry as well as honey to tie all the flavors together and bring just the right amount of sweetness, this delicious recipe has the perfect balance of floral, tart, and citrus notes.

You can enjoy this recipe warm or cold and we’ve included instructions for both methods below.

Cheers to a good night’s sleep.

Photo courtesy of Natalie Battaglia.

Ingredients

2 oz (60 ml) lavender tea
1-2 teaspoons of honey, to taste*
½ oz (15 ml) lemon juice
3 oz (90 ml) tart cherry juice

Serving tip: garnish with some fresh cherries for an extra melatonin hit.

Brew the lavender tea according to packet instructions. While the tea is warm, add the honey and stir until the honey has dissolved.

Note: tea instructions generally call for a serving of 1 cup (around 8oz or 240 ml), so you will have enough tea for 4 mocktails.

To serve warm: Add the warm lavender tea to a mug with the lemon juice and tart cherry juice. Stir and serve immediately.

To serve chilled: Set your lavender tea aside to cool. Once chilled, add the lavender tea, lemon juice and tart cherry juice to a shaker with some ice and shake for 10-15 seconds until just combined. Serve over fresh ice and garnish if you wish. Serve immediately.

*If you prefer a tart mocktail, I recommend 1 teaspoon of honey. If you’re more of a sweet tooth, try 2 teaspoons.

Bedtime Mocktail Series: Cherry Lavender Twilight Tonic

Photo courtesy of Natalie Battaglia.

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Natalie is the founder of the mocktail recipe blog The Mindful Mocktail. She creates sophisticated, nourishing non-alcoholic cocktails and encourages readers to explore a life with less alcohol. Referred to as a thought leader in the alcohol-free space, Natalie has a passion for making non-alcoholic drinks exciting and delicious.