Midnight Cherry Spritz Mocktail (Delicious Sleep Aid Drink!)

This Midnight Cherry Spritz is a truly functional and delicious mocktail designed for those of us who love good sleep! It's a refreshing and flavorful drink that combines the natural goodness of tart cherry juice with bright citrus, aromatic herbs, and a touch of sweetness. I love how this recipe is not only easy to make but also potentially beneficial, thanks to the tart cherry juice. It's perfect for winding down in the evening or enjoying anytime you want a non-alcoholic beverage that's both tasty and good for you.

Why You'll Love This Midnight Cherry Spritz

• Potential Sleep Benefits: Tart cherry juice is often associated with promoting better sleep due to its natural melatonin content. Learn more about the potential sleep benefits of tart cherry juice [Link to a relevant, authoritative external source like a health or nutrition website].
• Deliciously Refreshing: The combination of tart cherry, lemon, lime, ginger, and mint creates a vibrant and refreshing flavor profile.
• Easy to Make: This mocktail uses simple ingredients and comes together quickly.
• Non-Alcoholic: A perfect choice for anyone looking for a flavorful alcohol-free beverage.
• Naturally Sweetened: Uses maple syrup for sweetness, avoiding refined sugars.

Ingredients for Midnight Cherry Spritz

Here's what you'll need to make this refreshing mocktail. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Main Ingredients

• Maple syrup (Sweetener)
• Lemon juice (Acid)
• Lime juice (Acid)
• Tart cherry juice (Juice)
• Rosemary sprig (Herb)
• Ginger knob (Aromatic)
• Mint handful (Herb)
• Cinnamon (Spice)
• Sparkling water (Liquid)
• Ice (Ice)

Garnish

• Cinnamon (Spice)
• Rosemary (Herb)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love this Midnight Cherry Spritz as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:

• Different Sweetener: Use honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup instead of maple syrup. Adjust quantity to taste.
• Add Berries: Muddle a few fresh raspberries or blackberries along with the mint and rosemary.
• Different Herbs: Experiment with basil or thyme instead of or in addition to mint and rosemary.
• Sparkling Juice: Use sparkling cranberry or apple juice instead of sparkling water for extra flavor.
• Omit Ginger: If you're not a fan of ginger's spiciness, you can leave it out.

How to Make Midnight Cherry Spritz

Let me show you how easy it is to make this flavorful Midnight Cherry Spritz mocktail:

Muddle Herbs and Spices

1. First, I muddle together the maple syrup, grated ginger, mint leaves, rosemary sprig, and a sprinkle of cinnamon in the bottom of a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass. Muddling gently releases the essential oils and flavors.

Add Juices

1. Next, I add the lemon juice, lime juice, and tart cherry juice to the shaker or glass.

Shake and Strain

1. I add ice to the shaker (if using), close it tightly, and shake well.
2. I pour the mixture through a strainer into glasses filled with ice. Straining removes the muddled herbs and ginger pieces for a smoother drink.

Top with Sparkling Water

1. I top each glass with sparkling water until full.

Garnish and Serve

1. Garnish and serve. Enjoy this relaxing Midnight Cherry Spritz!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Spritz

Here are my secrets for making this mocktail truly exceptional:

• Use Tart Cherry Juice: Look specifically for tart cherry juice (often Montmorency cherry) as it's the type most commonly associated with potential sleep benefits and provides the signature flavor.
• Fresh Ginger: Freshly grated ginger provides the best flavor kick compared to dried ginger powder.
• Muddle Gently: Don't pulverize the mint and rosemary; just press gently to release their oils.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the mixture before adding sparkling water and adjust the maple syrup if needed.
• Chill Glasses: Serving in chilled glasses makes the mocktail even more refreshing.

How to Serve

This Midnight Cherry Spritz is perfect for:

• Evening Wind-Down: Enjoy it an hour or two before bed as part of your relaxation routine.
• Healthy Happy Hour: A delicious and functional non-alcoholic option.
• Anytime Refresher: A flavorful and hydrating drink for any time of day.

Serve chilled in your favorite glasses.

Make Ahead and Storage

You can prepare the muddled mixture (maple, ginger, herbs, cinnamon, citrus juices, cherry juice) ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Shake or stir well before straining and topping with sparkling water and ice just before serving.

FAQs about Midnight Cherry Spritz

• Why tart cherry juice for sleep?
  • Tart cherries contain melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep cycles, and other compounds that may promote sleep. However, results can vary per person.
• Can I use regular cherry juice?
  • You can, but tart cherry juice has a distinct flavor and is the type linked to potential sleep benefits. Regular cherry juice is often much sweeter.
• Can I add alcohol to make it a cocktail?
  • Certainly! Vodka, gin, or even a light rum would pair well with these flavors if you want to make an alcoholic version of the Midnight Cherry Spritz.

Enjoy this delicious, refreshing, and potentially sleep-enhancing Midnight Cherry Spritz! It's a perfect functional mocktail.

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