Tart Cherry Nighttime Mocktail

It doesn't have to be Dry January to have a mocktail, especially when it's our Tart Cherry Nighttime Mocktail. Tart cherry juice, which contains sleep-inducing melatonin, tryptophan and polyphenols, is sweetened a bit with honey and a touch of acidity from the lime, and the sparkling water helps tame the tartness. The sage gives it an herbaceous touch, transforming it from a juice to an elegant drink. Keep reading for our expert tips, including delicious recipe variations to make this any night of the week.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• To cut back on the sugar, shop for unsweetened organic tart cherry juice (not from a concentrate).
• You can swap out the regular seltzer water for a flavored one. However, check the labels and use one with real fruit and no added sugar.
• You can add extra flavor by muddling ¼ cup of frozen dark cherries and even using some frozen pitted cherries instead of ice. If you want a less tart beverage, add more sparkling water.
• You can use whatever citrus you want: limes, lemons, oranges or grapefruits.

Nutrition Notes

• Tart cherry juice is indeed tart, but it's the perfect nighttime drink. It contains both melatonin and the amino acid tryptophan, which are both helpful in inducing sleepiness. Tart cherry juice is also rich in anthocyanins, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and are what give this juice it's deep red color.