Sleepy Girl Mocktail Recipe: Soothing Caffeine-Free Nightcap

Our Sleepy Girl Mocktail is a refreshing, hydrating pre-bedtime drink made to help you unwind. This alcohol-free beverage blends tart cherry juice, elderberry syrup, a touch of maple syrup, and fresh lime juice, then finishes with a splash of Black Cherry Lime LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water for effervescence and electrolytes. It’s cozy, lightly tart, and perfect to sip while you get ready for bed.

Two glasses of iced tea garnished with lime wedges and mint leaves. A potted plant and sliced limes are in the background.

The sleepy girl mocktail trend has been around for a while, and this version aims to be both delicious and restorative. We love using LMNT sparkling electrolyte water — especially the Black Cherry Lime flavor — because it adds a clean, salty-sweet lift and a pleasant fizz without added sugar. The electrolytes and a hint of magnesium make it a thoughtful choice for a light, evening beverage.

Sleepy Girl Mocktail Ingredients

LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water, Black Cherry Lime: Adds effervescence, balanced saltiness, and bright cherry-lime notes to finish the drink.
Tart Cherry Juice: Tart cherry juice is naturally tart and fruity; it is often used in evening drinks because it contains small amounts of melatonin and compounds associated with supporting sleep.
Elderberry Syrup: A flavor-forward syrup that brings a deep berry note and a boost of antioxidants, making it a nice complement to the tart cherry.
Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that softens tartness and adds a subtle caramel note. Adjust to taste.
Fresh Lime Juice: Brightens the drink and balances sweetness with acidity. Reserve lime wedges for garnish.

A bottle of tart cherry juice, a can of LMNT electrolyte drink, elderberry syrup, mint leaves, and lime slices on a white surface.

Why We Love LMNT

LMNT is a favorite electrolyte brand for many because its beverages are free from added sugars and unnecessary additives while delivering key electrolytes. The sparkling cans pair especially well in mocktails where a bit of salt and fizz enhances the complex fruit flavors. The Black Cherry Lime variety brings just the right combination of tart cherry and zesty lime to this recipe.

Typical electrolyte content in a serving of the sparkling LMNT used here:

1,000 mg Sodium
200 mg Potassium
60 mg Magnesium

These electrolytes can help with hydration and flavor balance, especially in an evening mocktail where you want a light, satisfying drink without added sugar.

Three friends enjoying drinks, including a refreshing sleepy girl mocktail, sit beside a box of LMNT electrolyte drink mix on the wooden table.

Try it!

LMNT Electrolyte Packets

LMNT single-serve packets are convenient for travel or mixing into other beverages when you want electrolytes without sweetness.

A hand pours a black cherry drink into a glass filled with ice, cherries, lime slices, and mint. Another similar drink is in the background, next to lime wedges and a small candle.

Easy Ingredient Swaps

LMNT Black Cherry Lime → LMNT Citrus Salt or another LMNT flavor you prefer
Tart Cherry Juice → Cranberry juice for a similarly tart profile
Maple Syrup → Honey or a light simple syrup (use sparingly)
Elderberry Syrup → Omit if unavailable; you can add a teaspoon of another berry syrup or a splash of grenadine for color and sweetness

Is this a sweet mocktail?

No — this recipe leans toward tart and lightly sweet. The maple syrup is there to round the edges, but you can easily increase or decrease it depending on your preference. The finishing LMNT adds saltiness and fizz rather than sugary sweetness, keeping the drink refreshing and balanced.

Hand holding a can of LMNT black cherry lime sparkling electrolyte water. Two glasses with red drinks and lime wedges are in the background.

Sleepy Girl Mocktail Recipe

Serves: 2 • Prep time: 5 minutes • Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup tart cherry juice
2 teaspoons elderberry syrup
2 tablespoons maple syrup (or more, to taste)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 can Black Cherry LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water
Garnish: lime wedge and fresh mint

Instructions

Combine the tart cherry juice, elderberry syrup, maple syrup, and fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker or a jar. Add a handful of ice and shake or stir well until chilled.
Fill two glasses with ice and divide the chilled mixture evenly between them.
Top each glass with LMNT Sparkling Electrolyte Water. Gently stir to combine, then garnish with a lime wedge and fresh mint. Serve immediately.

Tips and Variations

For a smoother pour, chill the jar or shaker in the fridge briefly before combining with the sparkling water.
If elderberry syrup is too bold or unavailable, a teaspoon of grenadine or a mild berry syrup will add color and sweetness without overpowering the tart cherry.
To make a single serving, halve the ingredients. To batch for a small gathering, scale up and add sparkling water just before serving to keep the fizz.
Serve in a cozy setting — this mocktail pairs well with a warm bath or relaxing evening routine.

Nutrition (approximate per serving)

Calories: 90 kcal • Carbohydrates: 23 g • Protein: 0.3 g • Fat: 0.01 g • Fiber: 0.1 g • Sugar: 18 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by LMNT. We were compensated and all opinions are our own. Thank you for supporting Fit Foodie Finds!