Sleepy Mocktail Recipes to Try to Catch Some Zzzs

If you’re a night owl and have insomnia like I do, sometimes winding down at night can be a challenge. Instead of reaching for a normal cup of chamomile tea or a warm glass of milk, why not try a delicious and soothing mocktail to help you drift off to sleep? These sleep-friendly mocktails combine ingredients known for their calming properties and are perfect for sipping before bedtime. Here are some creative and refreshing sleepy mocktail recipes to help you catch more Zzzs.

Lavender Lemonade Bliss

Lavender is known for its calming and sleep-promoting effects. Add it with some resh lemon juice and other ingredients to make make a refreshing bedtime mocktail. It’s also good to drink if you feel the beginnings of a common cold!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh lemon juice 
• 1/2 cup honey or agave syrup
• 4 cups cold water
• 2 tablespoons dried lavender buds
• Ice cubes
• Lemon slices and lavender sprigs for garnish

Instructions:

1. Infuse the Lavender: In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Add the dried lavender buds and let them steep for about 10 minutes. Strain the lavender-infused water into a bowl and let it cool.
2. Mix the Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, honey or agave syrup, and the remaining 3 cups of water. Stir until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
3. Add Lavender: Stir the cooled lavender infusion into the lemonade mixture. Adjust the sweetness if you need to.
4. Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the lavender lemonade over them. Garnish with lemon slices and lavender sprigs.

Chamomile Peach Fizz

Chamomile is another herb known for its sleep-inducing properties. When paired with sweet peaches, it makes for a delightful bedtime drink.

Ingredients:

• 2 chamomile tea bags
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup peach nectar
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Peach slices and mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew the Chamomile Tea: Steep the chamomile tea bags in boiling water for 5 minutes. Remove the tea bags and let the tea cool.
2. Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix the cooled chamomile tea with peach nectar. Add honey or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink.
3. Add Fizz: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chamomile peach mixture over them. Top the drink off with sparkling water for a fizzy touch.
4. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with peach slices and fresh mint leaves.

Warm Spiced Apple Cider

There’s nothing quite like a warm, spiced apple cider to create a cozy atmosphere before bed. Particularly good for cooler nights, this recipe adds a warm, drowsy twist by adding star anise and fresh ginger. 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups apple cider
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 4 whole cloves
• 1-2 star anise (optional)
• 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
• Apple slices and cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat the Cider: In a large pot, combine apple cider, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, and fresh ginger. Warm the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes to allow the spices to infuse the cider.
2. Strain and Serve: Strain out the spices and pour the warm cider into mugs.
3. Garnish: Garnish with apple slices and a cinnamon stick.

Cherry Vanilla Sleep Mocktail

Unwind and drift into a restful sleep with this soothing cherry vanilla mocktail. Cherry juice is known for its natural melatonin content. Melatonin is crucial for regulating sleep patterns. Here’s a simple recipe to make this delightful and relaxing drink:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pure cherry juice (preferably tart cherry juice for its sleep-enhancing properties)
• 1/2 cup chamomile tea 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
• Ice cubes
• Cherries and vanilla beans (or extra vanilla extract) for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brew the Chamomile Tea:
   • Brew 1 cup of chamomile tea according to package instructions. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
2. Combine Ingredients:
   • In a large pitcher, mix the cherry juice, cooled chamomile tea, and unsweetened almond milk. Stir well to combine.
   • Add the vanilla extract and honey. Stir until the honey or syrup is fully dissolved.
3. Assemble the Mocktail:
   • Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the cherry-vanilla mixture over the ice.
4. Garnish and Serve:
   • Garnish with a cherry on the rim of each glass and a small piece of vanilla bean or an extra splash of vanilla extract.

Ginger Pear Refresher

Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with poor circulation. When combined with the sweetness of pear, it makes for a delightfully warm bedtime mocktail.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe pears, peeled and cored
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 tablespoon honey or agave syrup
• 1 cup cold water
• Ice cubes
• Pear slices and a ginger slice for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend the Pears: In a blender, combine pears, grated ginger, honey or agave syrup, and cold water. Blend until smooth.
2. Strain (Optional): For a smoother drink, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve.
3. Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the ginger pear refresher over them.
4. Garnish: Garnish with pear slices and a slice of ginger.

Conclusion

Sleepy mocktails are a creative and enjoyable way to wind down before bedtime. They add a little pizazz to normal drinks. Whether you prefer the soothing flavor of lavender lemonade or the comforting warmth of spiced apple cider, there’s a sleepy mocktail recipe to suit your taste. By mixing ingredients known for their calming properties, these recipes can help you relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.