Sleepy Girl Mocktail (Tart Cherry, Magnesium, and Sparkling Water Bedtime Drink)

Method

1. 1Pour the tart cherry juice into a wine glass or rocks glass. Use 100 percent juice — not nectar, not from concentrate with added sugar. Brands to look for: Lakewood, R.W. Knudsen, Cherry Bay Orchards, or any 100 percent tart cherry juice from the chilled juice aisle. Sweet cherry juice does not work the same way — it has roughly one tenth the melatonin content of tart cherry.
2. 2If you are using magnesium, add one serving of the powder as stated on the label directly to the cherry juice and stir vigorously with a long spoon for 20 to 30 seconds until fully dissolved. If you see grainy bits at the bottom, keep stirring; do not add ice yet, as the cold will lock the powder into clumps. The juice will look slightly cloudy when the magnesium is fully integrated — this is normal. Without magnesium, simply go on to the next step.
3. 3Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir once. The lemon is optional but it brightens the drink and balances the sweetness of the prebiotic soda you will add next. If your tart cherry juice is already very acidic, skip the lemon.
4. 4Add the ice cubes — 4 cubes is the right amount for a wine glass, more will dilute the drink too much. Pour the prebiotic soda (Olipop, Poppi, or any sparkling water if you prefer no sweetness) slowly down the side of the glass to preserve the carbonation. The drink will turn from deep ruby to a lighter pink as the soda mixes in.
5. 5Garnish with the fresh thyme sprig (lavender or mint also work) and 3 frozen tart cherries pierced on a cocktail pick. The frozen cherries do double duty: they slowly release more cherry flavour and act as edible ice that does not water the drink down.
6. 6Serve immediately and sip slowly over 10 to 15 minutes, ideally about an hour before bed — mostly because the bubbles can be uncomfortable once you lie down. Do not drink it on an empty stomach if you are prone to heartburn: tart cherry juice is acidic. A small handful of almonds or a few squares of dark chocolate on the side works well.