Sleepy Girl Mocktail: Aesthetic Trend Or Worth The Hype?

If you have been scrolling through social media the past few months, you may have noticed the rise of content creators chatting about a new wellness era we seem to be entering. Gone are the days when out feed would be filled with night out culture, with makeup tutorials to ensure your look last through the night, night out fashion inspo, and cocktail recipes.

Now they have swapped for minimal gym makeup looks, running gear inspo, and the rise of mocktails. This change isn’t a bad thing – and we agree it’s important to look after your health and shift our minds to this wellness outlook.

One wellness craze that has taken social media by storm however is the Sleepy Girl Mocktail. As we become more aware of the importance of sleep, creators have begun to show recipes and the effects of this mocktail to ensure you are getting the best sleep possible to become your best self. But what are these mocktails, and are they really helping us sleep better?

@lemonsandlucy SLEEPY GIRL MOCKTAIL🍸🍒 all I ask myself I why has it taken me this long to make !! unlocking the potential of a wonderful night’s sleep with a powerful combo: 🌙✨ 🍎 Apple cider vinegar for stable blood sugar levels and improved digestion, creating the right conditions for a restful slumber 🍒 Tart cherry juice, a natural source of melatonin, the sleep hormone that helps regulate your body’s internal clock 💆‍♂️ Magnesium citrate, the relaxation mineral that soothes the nervous system, paving the way for deep and rejuvenating sleep to make one cocktail you’ll need: a glass filled with ice 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup tart cherry juice (or one cup of regular cherry juice) topped up with a sparkling drink of choice a squeeze of lime 1 capsule of magnesium (I used citrate – that I take every single night) combine all ingredients, stir & enjoy!! #easymocktail #easyrecipe #guthealth #wellnessaesthetic #healthandwellness#healthymocktails #holistichealth #foryou ♬ (You) Got What I Need – Freddie Scott

What is the Sleepy Girl Mocktail?

First things first, what is included in this alcohol-free nightcap? While there are many variations, most seem to include tart cherry juice, magnesium powder and sparkling or soda water. The simple ingredients are linked to sleep and relaxation to help you wind down before bed.

As more people are moving towards alcohol free lives, this drink keeps the fun of creating recipes but doubles as a wellness hack. More than just a drink, it’s become a new bedtime ritual – a way to swap your late-night glass of wine or Coke Zero for something that’s not only indulgent but good for you!

@doctorsoodHave you tried this?♬ original sound – DoctorSood, M.D.

Why is it trending?

• The rise of mocktails – as many of us are aware, Gen Z are starting to drink alcohol less, and the sober movement is really having its moment, so this alternative to a night cap is the perfect substitute.
• Functional wellness drinks – with the likes of kombucha and collagen water on the rise, drinks that improve our health are everywhere, and this Sleepy Girl Mocktail is no different. It allows us to have a drink that not only tastes good, but is also good for us.
• The aesthetic factor – the days where you could put anything up on your Instagram feed are far behind us with everything from outfits to drinks having to have the aesthetic factor, and this drink is aesthetic as they come. It’s cute, Instagramable and perfect for cosy self-care content.

Do these drinks work – and is there real science behind them?

These mocktails may be all over TikTok, but what do the ingredients really do and can they contribute to better sleep routines?

The tart cherry juice contains melatonin from cherries. This is a hormone that can help regulate the body sleep-wake cycle which signals the body clock that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Along with this it includes tryptophan, an amino acid that help the body led the body to create melatonin. Cherries are rich in antioxidants and can help reduce inflammation which can contribute to the body’s overall relaxation.

Magnesium powder then plays a vital role in the body’s process to relaxation. Magnesium helps with muscle contractions and relaxation, which allows the body to fully settle. Without magnesium, our muscles can cramp and spasm which disrupts the body’s ability to feel relaxed.

Magnesium also calms the mind as it increases the production of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that allows the brain to slow down its activity and restores relaxation and brain overstimulation. When it comes to magnesium, however, it’s important that you are choosing the right form. Magnesium glycinate is recommended for relaxation as some others can have laxative effects – the last thing you want when trying to have a deep undisrupted sleep!

Soda or sparkling water is only added to these drinks for taste and aesthetic reasons, with no real links to relaxation and sleep. They make the drink more appealing, as something we can enjoy and reap the benefits from.

Worth the hype?

While the ingredients have sleep loving pros, nutritionists and sleep experts have mixed opinions on the Sleepy Girl Mocktail. Some agree that it’s a great bedtime ritual to help create that calmness before bed, but others argue that the ingredients may do the opposite and actually keep you awake longer. One thing they can agree on is that this mocktail is unfortunately not going to cure all your sleep problems (we wish it was that easy!).

@what.thewell What does an actual sleep specialist think of the #sleepygirlmocktail? 😴 We asked Dr. Broch to break it down #mocktails #sleeptips #dreamtok #sleephacks #magnesium #sleep ♬ original sound – The Well by Northwell

Winding down 

If you do struggle to switch your mind off from our crazy world (and we know it can be very hard at times), setting out good sleep habits might just help you. It might just be worth while trying out this mocktail – but it’s important that you have other rituals alongside it.

To achieve a good night’s sleep, it’s recommended that you switch off your phone for at least one hour before bed. It’s important to create a cozy space with dim lights, maybe popping on your current favourite TV show or picking up your current read… all while sipping on your mocktail, if you like. This routine will allow your body to relax and be distracted from the blue light madness that has taken over our lives.

It may not be the miracle sleep solution, but as cosy, alcohol-free ritual, sleepy girl mocktails fits quite well into creating your perfect wind down routine. Whether it’s the magnesium, melatonin, or the habit – it could be worth a try if you’re curious!