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10 Mocktails for Better Sleep

By Ethan Boldt

February 23, 2026

Not getting enough sleep is common among many Americans. In fact, roughly 1 in 3 American adults do not get the recommended 7+ hours of daily sleep. Sometimes it’s not necessarily going to bed too late, but simply not being able to fall asleep soon after turning in or waking up frequently during the night.

On the hunt for ways to aid your sleep, consider these nighttime mocktails. These recipes help promote relaxation and assist your sleep in various ways with key ingredients like tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and calming herbs.

Rather than wind down with a cocktail with alcohol that negatively affects sleep quality and quantity, have one of these sleepy mocktails 30 to 60 minutes before hitting the sack. With the sober trend growing and mocktails being more popular than ever, it’s time to expand them to include these wind-down drinks.

Key ingredients for sleep support

A sleep-supporting mocktail should include ingredients that help support relaxation, relieve occasional anxiousness and promote restful sleep — without caffeine or excess sugar.

Here are some of the best ingredients to use:

• Tart cherry juice: Naturally containing melatonin, it’s rich in antioxidants and often used to support sleep quality. Make sure to use unsweetened tart cherry juice and keep portions moderate (about 2–4 oz).

• Magnesium (powdered form): Supports sleep efficiency and quality, and it can be added easily to cold or warm water. Ancient Nutrition's Active Peptides Magnesium features four highly bioavailable forms, clinically validated ashwagandha and two flavors: lavender honey and blueberry peppermint.

• Chamomile tea: Traditionally used for relaxation, it’s caffeine-free and may help calm the nervous system. Brew and chill for a mocktail base.

• Passionflower (tea form): Traditionally used for relaxation, it features a mild, earthy taste. It’s often combined with chamomile.

• Lemon balm (tea): This herb is traditionally used to promote calm and features a mild citrus flavor. It pairs well with honey and herbal teas.

• Lavender: Associated with relaxation, its light floral flavor can be used as dried buds (tea) or simple syrup. Note to use sparingly, as lavender is strong.

• Herbs (sage, lavender, mint): Beyond lavender, these can add calming notes.

• Raw honey (small amount): Small amounts may support nighttime comfort and add natural sweetness.

• Orange or citrus peel: These aromatic oils may promote relaxation and add depth of flavor.

• Fresh ginger (small amount): Supporting digestion, ginger is warming and calming and works well before bed.

• Coconut water: Provides hydration and potassium to ease tension.

• Prebiotic soda/sparkling water: Adds fizz and helps with digestion. Don’t use too much, as excessive carbonation can bloat.

Tips for success

Rather than a traditional nightcap, have a sleep-supporting mocktail. Here’s a few simple tips to follow when crafting a pre-sleep drink:

• Incorporate at least two or three of the ingredients above

• When using magnesium powder to liquid, consider using a frother or whisk

• Limit energy-boosting ingredients like sugar, caffeine and vitamin C

• If you use a herbal tea, brew tea covered for 5–10 minutes to preserve aromatic compounds

• Drink 30–60 minutes before bed

• Keep portions moderate (such as under 12 ounces) to avoid nighttime bathroom trips

10 sleep-supporting mocktails

Here are a few curated nighttime mocktail recipes with ingredients (including magnesium) for sleep support.

1. Honey lavender nightcap

With four highly bioavailable forms of magnesium plus ashwagandha and probiotics, Ancient Nutrition’s Active Peptides Magnesium improves sleep efficiency, sleep quality and reduces the time it takes to get to sleep. It also boosts the body’s ability to cope with stress and helps relieve occasional anxiousness.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• 1 cup hot water

• ½ cup tart cherry juice

• 1 teaspoon honey (optional)

• squeeze of fresh lemon

Directions:

In a large mug, whisk magnesium into hot water until fully dissolved. Add cherry juice, honey and lemon. Enjoy warm for a cozy nighttime ritual.

2. Blueberry peppermint wind-down spritz

Again featuring Ancient Nutrition’s Active Peptides Magnesium, this one uses the blueberry peppermint flavor with ingredients that complement this sublime flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Blueberry Peppermint

• ¾ cup cold water

• ¼ cup 100% blueberry juice

• splash of lime

• ice

• sparkling water to top

• fresh mint leaves

Directions:

In a mixing cup or glass, stir magnesium into water until dissolved. (Or use a frother or whisk.) Add blueberry juice and lime. Pour over ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with mint.

3. Coconut lavender calm cooler

With electrolytes and tart cherry juice, this sleepy mocktail uses the honey lavender flavor of Active Peptides Magnesium powder for one of the most delicious concoctions.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• ¾ cup coconut water

• ¼ cup cold water

• splash tart cherry juice

• ice

Directions:

In a shaker cup, mix all ingredients and pour over ice.

4. The viral "Sleepy Girl Mocktail"

The so-called "Sleepy Girl Mocktail" that went viral on TikTok in 2023 showed that people want a drink that can help them sleep better. Here’s a wellness spin on it.

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• ½ cup tart cherry juice

• ice

• ¼ cup sparkling water (or a prebiotic soda)

• fresh mint leaves (optional)

Directions:

In a mixing cup or glass, stir magnesium into the juice until dissolved. (Or use a frother or whisk.) Pour over ice and top with sparkling water. Add mint.

5. Cherry vanilla collagen nightcap

This sleep-supporting mocktail combines tart cherry juice, chamomile tea, and Ancient Nutrition’s Multi Collagen Protein for a soothing nighttime ritual that supports relaxation and overall wellness. Collagen contains glycine, an important amino acid.

Ingredients:

• 3 oz brewed chamomile tea, cooled

• 1 scoop Multi Collagen Protein (unflavored)

• 3 oz unsweetened tart cherry juice

• ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• fresh squeeze of lemon

• ½ teaspoon raw honey (optional)

• ice (optional)

Directions:

Brew chamomile tea and allow it to cool slightly. In a glass or shaker, whisk the collagen powder into the tea until fully dissolved. Then add tart cherry juice, vanilla extract, lemon juice and honey if desired.

Stir or shake gently to combine. Serve over ice or enjoy slightly warm 30–60 minutes before bedtime.

6. Lemon balm citrus calm

Lemon balm has a gentle citrus flavor and is traditionally used to support relaxation. The fresh lemon enhances flavor without much added sugar.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz brewed lemon balm tea, cooled

• 2 oz sparkling water (optional)

• Fresh squeeze of lemon

• ½ teaspoon honey (optional)

• lemon slice and mint for garnish

• ice (optional)

Directions:

Brew lemon balm tea and allow it to cool slightly. In a mug or glass, add the tea, sparkling water, lemon juice, honey and garnishes if desired. You can also serve over ice.

7. Citrus calm refresher

If you’re a lover of citrus, your nighttime mocktail is a great time to consume it with some magnesium powder.

Ingredients:

• 6 oz warm or room-temp water

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• fresh squeeze of orange and lemon

• ½ teaspoon honey (optional)

• ice

Directions:

In a shaker cup, shake all ingredients and pour over ice.

8. Lavender lemon balm collagen spritz

Lemon balm and lavender blend well together, especially with both collagen and Active Peptides Magnesium honey lavender.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz cooled lemon balm tea

• 1 scoop Multi Collagen Protein

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• 1–2 drops culinary lavender extract (optional)

• ½ teaspoon raw honey (optional)

• splash of sparkling water (optional)

• ice

Directions:

In a shaker cup, add the tea, collagen powder and magnesium powder (lavender extract and honey, too). Mix well and pour over ice. Add a splash of sparkling water.

9. Berry lemon balm cooler

The herbal base balances the tartness of berries, creating a naturally calming nighttime drink.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz cooled lemon balm tea

• 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Blueberry Peppermint

• ice

Directions:

In a shaker cup, add the ingredients and shake well. Pour over ice.

10. Warm apple cinnamon mocktail

Warm drinks can feel especially relaxing before bed, and apple and lemon pair exceptionally well together, balancing sweet and tart flavors.

Ingredients:

• 4 oz warmed unsweetened apple cider

• 2 oz cooled chamomile tea

• 1 scoop Active Peptides Magnesium Honey Lavender

• ice

• dash cinnamon

Directions:

In a shaker cup, add the cider, tea and magnesium powder and shake well. Pour over ice, then add a dash of cinnamon.

Ingredient spotlight

Ancient Nutrition’s Active Peptides Magnesium features four forms of bioavailable magnesium and one of the most clinically backed adaptogens (ashwagandha). This formula can help lift your mood and ease your mind — so you can sleep more soundly and wake up alert.

Benefits include:

• Four highly bioavailable forms of magnesium plus ashwagandha and probiotics

• Improves sleep efficiency, sleep quality and reduces the time it takes to get to sleep

• Supports increased alertness upon rising

• Boosts the body’s ability to cope with stress

• Helps relieve occasional anxiousness

• Supports memory and cognitive function

This supplement offers multiple forms of magnesium, bound to protein fragments to enhance bioavailability and support magnesium repletion. Magnesium is a shortfall nutrient in the U.S., with about half the population falling short of the estimated average requirement.

In addition, many magnesium supplements only contain one form of magnesium, and bioavailability varies widely depending on the form. Magnesium is paired with ashwagandha, which has been shown to help support stress and anxiousness relief as well as sleep.