Sleepy Girl Mocktail: Will TikTok’s Latest Craze Actually Help You Sleep?

Move over, chamomile tea: there’s a new sleep-inducing drink on the scene. Well, according to TikTok anyway, which is awash with recipes for the Sleepy Girl Mocktail, a tart cherry juice which devotees are swearing will send you into a sweet slumber. But does it actually work?

What Is The Sleepy Girl Mocktail?

In the depths of Dry January, non-alcoholic drinks recipes are all over social media, but the Sleepy Girl Mocktail has usurped them all as TikTok’s favourite tipple of the moment. Originally created by wellness influencer Gracie Norton, the fizzy mocktail first went viral in March 2023, but it’s trending again this month as new fans give it a whirl.

Norton discovered the concoction after searching for ways to improve her sleep, which she struggles with as a result of her polycystic ovary syndrome. Speaking on Good Morning America, she said: ‘I have been making mocktails for a few years due to the effects alcohol had on my hormones and have always loved winding down with a beverage before bed.’

To create the drink, Norton mixed magnesium – a mineral which may support sleep – with tart cherry juice and Lemon Lime OLIPOP, a soda made with plant fibre and prebiotics. In the video posted on TikTok, she wrote: ‘The only time I struggle with sleep is right at the end of my luteal phase. This is working WONDERS.’ Since then, many other TikTokers have been stirring up their own versions, trying different twists on the drink to try and enhance its sleepy magic.

@gracie_norton the only time i struggle with sleep is right at the end of my luteal phase! This is working WONDERS!! 💛 (not something im planning on drinking every single night, just near the end of my luteal phase! #healthyhabits #mocktails #bettersleep #sleep ♬ The Lazy Song – Galuh

Will It Work?

Many fans say the drink has transformed their sleep – but does it stand up nutritionally? 

Nutritionist Kim Pearson thinks so. ‘This is a TikTok trend that I can get on board with,’ she tells us. ‘Both magnesium and tart cherry juice can promote restful sleep so this simple recipe could be helpful for those who struggle with poor sleep.

‘Tart cherries (also known as Montmorency cherries) can support sleep due to their melatonin content, a hormone that plays a key role in regulating the body’s sleep-wake cycle. They also contain tryptophan, an amino acid needed for the production of serotonin and melatonin. Studies suggest that tart cherry juice consumption can alleviate insomnia and enhance sleep quality.

‘Magnesium plays an important role in promoting restful sleep. Its calming effects on the nervous system can help people relax and get off to sleep. This essential mineral has the ability to impact the calming neurotransmitter GABA, helping to reduce brain activity in preparation for sleep. Deficiencies in magnesium have been associated with insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns. Supplementing with magnesium or incorporating magnesium-rich foods can be beneficial in improving sleep quality and managing sleep disorders.’

Is there anyone who should avoid the tipple? ‘Both cherry juice and high quality magnesium supplements are generally well tolerated,’ Kim says. ‘Magnesium can have a mild laxative effect but because of this it can be a helpful aid for those who suffer with constipation. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with health conditions or taking medications should check with their doctor prior to taking nutritional supplements.’

Sleepy Girl Mocktail Recipe

The Sleepy Girl Mocktail is very simple to make. Kim recommends mixing one can of BetterYou Magnesium Water with one serving of Cherry Active tart cherry juice. Sweet dreams!

Find out more about Kim at kimpearson.com