Wind down this comforting moon milk recipe. This pretty pink drink made with tart cherry juice milk and honey! Get the details on how much tart cherry juice you need for sleep and make this easy recipe!
This delicious drink recipe combines several ingredients that have been studied for their ability to help improve the quality or duration of sleep. If you’ve seen on TikTok that cherry juice helps with sleep, it’s true. Read on to find out how much and just how it works!
What makes this moon milk good?
- This recipe is made with just 3 simple ingredients.
- Tart cherry juice and milk might help with sleep.
- It’s beautiful and fun but also relaxing to make.
Winding down with a warm beverage can be a great way to settle in for the night. This moon milk recipe checks the boxes for sleep supporting ingredients. Other relaxing beverage options include golden milk lattes and caffeine-free, herbal teas (especially those with valerian root). But let’s get into this one and why it’s good!
Tart cherry juice benefits
A natural source of melatonin, tart cherry juice may help improve sleep quality as well as how long you’re able to stay asleep.
How much do you need to drink? It’s important to note the amounts. To get these effects, those studied drank as much 16 ounces (2 cups) of juice a day for two weeks. So, you might want to add another cherry drink to your day.
And it has other potential benefits. Tart cherry juice might also help the reduce muscle soreness after intense physical activity (like a marathon) and reduce symptoms associated with certain types of arthritis and reduce blood pressure levels.
Where to buy tart cherry juice
Trader Joe’s sells cherry juice at the lowest price I’ve seen at $3.99 for a 32 oz bottle. The ingredient list is simply filtered water and cherry juice concentrate. It doesn’t contain any added sugars or preservatives. Most other places sell the juice for much higher pricing, at around $6 a bottle.
You can also find cherry juice at health food stores and an increasing number of major supermarkets. Cherry juice concentrate is also available in stores and online – just add water when you’re ready to use it.
What is moon milk?
Moon milk has origins in centuries-old ayurvedic medicine where it’s used as a remedy for sleeplessness. It’s a warm mug of milk blended with herbs and/or spices.
Traditionally made with whole milk for the sleep-inducing components found in dairy, the moon milk popping up all over Instagram has been adapted in mainstream wellness circles to use non-dairy milk.
What’s the best milk to use?
This moon milk works well with regular dairy milk or plant milks to keep it vegan. I used almond milk for this one but you can also use oat milk, cashew milk or refrigerated coconut milk. Go with the creamiest, full fat plant milk you enjoy for the best results.
If you are ok with dairy foods, feel free to make your moon milk with whole milk. Whole milk contains tryptophan. And research suggests that foods with the amino acid tryptophan might help improve sleep in some people.
Whether it’s the tart cherry juice, the milk, or the whole process of slowing down, moon milk definitely helps me fall asleep faster.
How to make moon milk
To make moon milk, you’ll simply heat milk in a small saucepan with whole herbs or spices to extract as much of the benefits as possible. Whisk in ground or powdered spices like nutmeg before serving for a frothy, comforting cup of warm milk.
I used a handheld frother to get the beautiful frothy finish you see in the picture. I highly recommend it.
You can add adaptogenic ingredients like ashwagandha, powdered valerian root, or other sleep-inducing or stress relieving ingredients that work for you.
I am using tart cherry juice, which is a natural source of melatonin and may help with sleep. I got mine at Trader Joe’s. It’s 100% juice and doesn’t have any added sugars. It will be tart. So, I’ve added honey. The honey sweetens the drink and also helps emulsify the moon milk to keep it from breaking down before you’re done sipping.
I added some edible, food-safe rose petals on top just for the fragrant aroma and aesthetics.
So. That’s my very non-traditional take on moon milk.
When your goal is to fall into blissful sleep, you don’t need a tedious task keeping you up. As such, I made this moon milk recipe as easy as possible using real, simple ingredients.
Tips for making frothy moon milk?
- Use a handheld frother (same as you’d use for coffee). Once the milk mixture is heated through, use it to whip the drink into a soft, frothy finish! You can also use a heat-safe blender for the same results.
- Don’t pour cold milk into room temperature juice. It will curdle and separate. To avoid this, start with the both chilled.
And here’s the easy recipe.
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How to Make Moon Milk
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ cup tart cherry juice
- 1-2 teaspoon honey
- splash vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the milk and cherry juice in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk continuously, adding in the honey just as the mixture starts to heat up, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. If using, whisk in the vanilla extract. For a creamier texture, use a handheld frother for a whipped, frothy finish. Pour into a cup and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- When heating the milk and cherry juice, start them both cold. This will help the drink come together with less separation.
- I used a handheld frother to get the super frothy finish. I highly recommend it but you can also use a heat-safe blender to get the same effect.
Jacquelyn Hastert
This sounds amazing! I love the flavor combination of cherry and almond. I bet with would taste great in the mornings.
Marisa
It’s such a classic combination and the color just makes me fall in love all over again!
Jere Cassidy
I would drink this anytime it sounds so amazing with the cherry juice in it.
Marisa
Yes. It’s a lovely combination. Hope you get to try it!
Valentina
This moon milk is calling for me! Not only does it sound delicious, but I can only imagine what a lovely calming affect it much have. And now I’m ready for sleep. 😉
Marisa
It’s quite soothing. Definitely puts you in the mood for a slumber 🙂
Michelle Miller
Had no idea! Thanks for the amazing tip and aside from the fact this is a good help to go to sleep, it also sounds very delicious!!! Thanks for this moon milk recipe.
Marisa
It’s my pleasure!
Natalie
Looks and sounds so delicious and comforting ♥
Marisa
It’s both and also kinda fun to look at 🙂
Kim
Mine curdled right away. What did I do wrong?
Marisa
Hi Kim. I’m sorry to hear that happened! I’m curious what type of milk you used? The fat content can make a difference but the main reason it would curdle is if either the milk or juice was too cool when mixed?
Lorraine
when do you add the vanillla?
Marisa
Hi Lorraine! Thanks for the note. If you’re using it, I’d add the vanilla right after removing the milk from the heat. I am updating the recipe right now. Thanks again!
Sharon Ellis
Would love to try this recipe. I have always been curious, can you actually eat the rose petals?
Marisa
Hi Sharon! There are some that are edible. You can look for culinary or food grade dried rose petals. Those are the only ones Let me know if you try them.
Kelly
This tastes like a cherry pie warm from the oven! I have a bottle of Trader Joe’s tart cherry to drink before bed but seldom remember to have it. The last couple weeks I’ve enjoyed golden milks and can tell that they help with my sleep issues. I stumbled on this recipe today and knew I had to try tonight. I used TJs tart cherry, unsweetened vanilla coconut milk, tiny splash of good vanilla and a bit of local raw honey…delish! Cheers to a good nights and you for sharing!
Marisa
Kelly, Thanks so much for the note. It’s so soothing! And now I’m suddenly craving warm cherry pie 🙂
Kelly
Update: It worked! And my skeptical husband also enjoyed it. Looking forward to tonight’s mug 😉
Rene
I have a bottle of concentrated cherry juice. The bottle doesn’t specify how much water to add, do you have any guesses how much concentrate (or concentrate plus water) I should use?
Marisa
Great question. I haven’t used the concentrate but I know one brand recommends 1oz concentrate to 7oz water to make a full cup. So maybe do half that to add to the almond milk? Or just add an ounce to the milk. I’m guessing here but let us know how it goes!
Kimberly Hewitt
I used Tart Black Cherry Juice, so mine came out a light purple (still very pretty). It tasted amazing! I think this will become part of my nighttime routine. Thank you for a delicious concoction!
Marisa
I have never tried tart black cherry juice. Sounds delicious and yes very pretty! So glad you’re enjoying it!
Tamara
I accidentally bought vanilla almond milk… so needless to say, no extra sweetener needed. I also used my espresso machines steamer. I steamed the milk and a smidge of vanilla and just added that to my cherry juice. I will be getting the TJ brand cherry juice which I love, but I was so anxious to try the recipe that I just bought the Knudsen brand. Which is a bit heavy. Thank you for introducing me to Moon Milk! What a delicious idea!
Marisa
Hi Tamara,
Thanks for sharing! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. And I bet the Knudsen brand works just fine. Some people have tried it with cherry concentrate – adding a little extra milk or water to thin it out with success. Happy sleeping!
Carol
Where do you get the Ashwagandha or lavender buds? I have the in tablets, do I open them and add to the milk? I was taking them during the day?
Thank you !
Marisa
I found food-grade lavender in the herbs/spices aisle at the grocery store. As for the ashwaganda, I really can’t say. There’s a lot to consider. Please check with your personal health provider for recommendations and do your research to find what might work for you.
Erika
What brand of almond milk did you use for this recipe? I used TJ’s Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk and it seems to curdle every time:(
Marisa
Hi Erika. Sorry to hear that. Though I haven’t used TJ’s almond milk, I’ve made this recipe with several different brands as well as refrigerated coconut milk, cashew milk, and regular milk. Curdling usually happens when either the cherry juice or the milk is too cold or vice versa. And if the milk is lower in fat that might also affect it. But once heated through, using a frother (see video) or blender will give you that soft, frothy finish. I hope this helps!
Ann
Looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it.
Suzanne
This looks so good! What a great addition to a wind-down routine at night!
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Is there a milk that works best?
Marisa
Yes. I listed a few in the post but the key is to choose one with a creamier texture for best results.