Why Tart Cherry Juice and the Sleepy Girl Mocktail Work

Have you tried the “Sleepy Girl Mocktail” yet? 

These non-alcoholic cocktails are everywhere. People on every platform are singing the praises of this nighttime treat designed to help you sleep better. (Read: Our Version of the Sleepy Girl Mocktail.)

The “sleepy girl” part comes from magnesium powder as a key ingredient. The mineral is known to offer mood support and help promote muscle relaxation.* But another ingredient has seen a burst in popularity: tart cherry juice.

Tart cherries aren’t just tangy and delicious. The benefits of tart cherry juice include overall health benefits, and—most importantly—both melatonin and tryptophan, two well-known natural compounds that affect sleep.²

Does the pairing of magnesium powder and tart cherry juice provide real results, or is it just a social media fad? 

What Science Says About Tart Cherry Juice

We believe anything that promotes healthy sleep is good. After all, one-third of Americans report not getting enough sleep, which can lead to chronic conditions.

Research says tart cherry juice may help. Tart cherry juice sleep benefits include increased melatonin availability in the body, which can promote better and longer sleep.²

Tryptophan is also a key factor. A normal serving of tart cherries delivers about nine grams of tryptophan, which you may know as an amino acid found in Thanksgiving turkey believed to make you sleepy. This is because tryptophan plays an essential role in the synthesis of melatonin in the body. 

Another study showed that a popular tart cherry beverage significantly helped reduce insomnia among older adults with sleep disorders.³ 

The Science Speaks—and So Does the Flavor

The science says tart cherry juice can help support healthy sleep. The best part? It’s also delicious. The juice’s tart astringency lends itself perfectly to a mocktail, which demands a more full-bodied flavor than a regular beverage like soda or juice. 

However, many forms on the market contain added sugar to soften the flavor. Nutritionists recommend sugar free tart cherry juice to avoid the negative effects of added sugar.²

Recipe: Tart Cherry Sleepy Girl Mocktail with ActivMix Magnesium Powder

Ready to experience the benefits for yourself? Here’s a recipe for the perfect Sleepy Girl Mocktail:

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup Dynamic Health Tart Cherry Juice
• ½ tbsp scoop KAL ActivMix Calming Cherry Magnesium Powder
• ½ cup coconut water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, combine the Dynamic Health Tart Cherry Juice, ActivMix Magnesium Powder, pineapple juice and coconut water.
2. Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker.
3. Secure the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds.
4. Fill a glass with ice cubes.
5. Strain the mocktail mixture into the glass, using a fine mesh strainer or cocktail strainer to remove any ice shards or pulp.
6. Garnish the mocktail with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color and extra freshness.
7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

Resources

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sleep and Sleep Disorders. CDC. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/index.html. 
2. Suni, Eric and Rosen, David. Sleep Benefits of Tart Cherry Juice. The Sleep Foundation. 2024, https://www.sleepfoundation.org/nutrition/tart-cherry-juice. 
3. Pigeon, Wilfred et al. Effects of a Tart Cherry Juice Beverage on the Sleep of Older Adults with Insomnia: A Pilot Study. The Journal of Medicine and Food. National Library of Medicine. 2010, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3133468/.