4 Tart Cherry Juice Drink Recipes for Sleep

4 Tart Cherry Juice Drink Recipes for Sleep
ICYMI, I recently embarked on a two-week journey a few weeks ago to test whether tart cherry juice was an effective way to get better sleep. Spoiler: After sipping on tart cherry juice every night, I discovered that it did positively impact my ability to catch some z’s. But how?

For starters, research shows that tart cherry juice is rich in melatonin and tryptophan, two key compounds that can help induce rest, relaxation, and promote your quality of sleep. To break it down, melatonin is a hormone naturally produced in the brain triggered by light deprivation (aka when you’re going to bed at night). It helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm, and is linked to improving the duration and quality of your rest, and may also help manage disturbed sleep. Meanwhile, tryptophan may increase your body’s serotonin production, which can help improve your mood, decrease inflammation, and promote healthy sleeping patterns. So while tart cherry juice is certainly no secret sleep-inducing elixir, sufficient research does indicate that it can help in the cause—especially when you’ve exhausted your options to get some quality shuteye (pun intended).

All to say, this is why we’ve gathered a few of the best tart cherry juice drink recipes packed with melatonin to help you get better sleep and feel more relaxed this year. And take it from someone who knows: These recipes—from the refreshing almond cherry smoothie or the tongue-tingling tart cherry spritzer—are way more delicious than drinking tart cherry juice on its own.

4 tart cherry juice drink recipes packed with melatonin for better sleep

tart cherry juice drink recipes smoothie
Photo: Ambitious Kitchen

1. Almond Cherry Smoothie

This delicious cherry smoothie recipe by Ambitious Kitchen is made with tart cherries, banana, creamy almond butter, and a hint of almond extract. And while cherry juice has its nighttime benefits for inducing sleep, if you’re feeling a little on edge during the day, this drink may also help calm your nerves and make you feel slightly more relaxed. Looking for additional health benefits? You can easily upgrade this recipe by adding ingredients like a handful of iron-rich spinach, a scoop of protein powder, and antioxidant-filled cacao powder. Not to mention, you can easily turn it into a smoothie bowl and garnish it with cacao nibs, hemp seeds, and shredded coconut for a hearty meal to start the day.

Get the recipe: Almond Cherry Smoothie

tart cherry juice drink recipes spritz
Photo: Nourish Nutrition

2. Tart Cherry Spritzer

Now, if any bubbly beverage instantly calls your name, this refreshing tart cherry spritzer by Nourish Nutrition is a real game changer. It’s the perfect three-ingredient recipe if you can’t stomach taking a shot of straight tart cherry juice before going to bed without getting a full-blown belly ache. Made from a simple combination of sparkling water, fresh lime juice, and tart cherry juice, this recipe dilutes the sourness of the fruit to make it more palatable and easier to chug come nighttime. Seriously, it’s so good you’ll catch yourself wanting to sip on this throughout the day, too.

Get the recipe: Tart Cherry Spritzer

tart cherry juice drink recipes tea
Photo: Love and Lemons

3. Tart Cherry Mint Iced Tea

Another delicious way to get your daily dose of tart cherry juice is by making this tart cherry mint iced tea recipe by Love and Lemons that blends together tea, mint, and cherry juice. Although this recipe is made with black tea (which has caffeine, meaning it can disrupt sleep if consumed too closely before bedtime), it can easily be replaced with another one of your favorite caffeine-free herbal teas for a similar, more calming result. Best of all, it can be made in large batches to have on hand for sipping when you’re ready to unwind for the night.

Get the recipe: Tart Cherry Mint Iced Tea

tart cherry juice drink recipes cherry water
Photo: Getty Images/ Alena Gusakova

4. Tart Cherry Water

Okay, okay, hear us out. Although this hardly counts as a recipe, tart cherry water is the perfect way to stay adequately hydrated while drinking your rest-inducing cherry juice dose of the day. If the thought of chugging a glass of plain ol’ water before bed triggers your ick-factor, infusing it with tart cherry juice can definitely make staving off dehydration much more appealing. Plus, all you need to do is infuse water with crushed cherries. Or even easier, combine tart cherry juice with filtered water—done and done.

Get the recipe: Tart Cherry Water

How about a gluten-free, vegan cherry pie for dessert? Here’s how to make it:



Celery Juice | The Recipe Critic

Celery Juice | The Recipe Critic

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Celery juice is a healthy and refreshing drink full of beneficial nutrients for your body. This healthy juice is simple to make at home and it comes together quickly in a blender.

I love a good juice or smoothie that I can make at home. It’s a great way to get fruits and vegetables in my kid’s diet. They love when I make them a smoothie for breakfast or for an after-school snack. Try my pineapple smoothie, this amazing peach smoothie, or this popular detox smoothie recipe. You will want to make them all the time!

Two glasses of celery juice in mason jars. A leafy celery stalk is styled inside each glass of juice.

What Does Celery Juice Taste Like?

Celery juice tastes just like what it is…celery in liquid form. It has a salty and grass-like taste but it is surprisingly refreshing. You only need celery stalks and water to make it. Flavor the juice by adding other fruits or vegetables to the blender. The popular craze for celery juice comes with so many health benefits. It’s loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants! Everyone wants a swig of this healthy juice in hopes of being healthier.

Start your mornings off with celery juice for a boost of vitamins and nutrients. I love to make a big batch of juice to have with my breakfast all week long. Serve it with my scrambled eggs or these healthy pancakes. I also like to make these on-the-go omelets because they make mornings so easy. You will love adding this healthy juice to your morning meals!

Ingredients Needed to Make Healthy Juice

Fresh celery juice is a perfect way to add nutrients and fiber to your diet. To boost the flavor, add green apples, ginger, lemon juice, or other fresh ingredients to taste. I love playing around with different flavors to add to the celery juice. Adding lemon juice is my favorite because it brightens all the flavors. If I make it for my kids I add a little honey for sweetness. This juice is so versatile!

  • Celery: Just grab a bunch of celery or a couple of bundles so you can make a big batch of juice.
  • Water: The easiest ingredient in a recipe because you have water!

Celery Juice Recipe

Let me show you how easy it is to make this juice! Using a juicer is so convenient, but it’s just as easy if you don’t have one. It comes together in minutes! Follow my step-by-step instructions below to make this recipe at home. No more purchasing this juice at high-end stores. You’re going to love how simple it is! And you’ll save some money too!

  1. Wash and Cut: Wash and cut your celery into 2-inch pieces. Cut off the ends that are bad and discard them.
  2. Blend: Add the celery pieces and water to a high powdered blender. Blend well until the mixture no longer has chunks of celery and is just liquid.
  3. Strain: Strain the celery juice through cheesecloth into a medium bowl. You can also use a fine mesh strainer.
  4. Store and Enjoy: Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy. Shake the juice before drinking if it has settled on the bottom.
First photo of a stalk of celery and a container of water. Second photo of celery pieces and water added to a blender. Third photo of blended celery and water. Fourth photo of the juice being strained in cheese cloth.

Celery Juice Benefits

I love the health benefits of celery juice especially when I am trying to make healthy choices. Celery juice may provide several benefits when consumed as a part of a healthy diet. It is super simple and inexpensive to make at home!

  • Hydrating: Celery consists mostly of water making it extremely hydrating.
  • Detox Benefits: Many people use this juice to help flush out toxins and detox their bodies. It also helps with inflammation.
  • Low in Sugar: Celery has a very low sugar content compared to most juices.
  • Full of Nutrients: Celery juice provides many nutrients, including calcium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, and K.
  • Relieves: This juice has been known to relieve constipation, bloating, and high blood pressure.

Top view of two glasses of celery juice in mason jars. A leafy celery stalk is styled inside each glass of juice. Celery stalks are styled next to the glasses of juice. A hand is holding one of the glasses.

Storing Leftover Juice

You can make a big batch of celery juice, but it is definitely best made fresh! I recommend consuming it within 2 days of making it. Store it in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Give it a good shake before drinking it because the fibers settle on the bottom as it sits.


  • Wash and cut your celery into 2-inch pieces. Cut off the ends that are bad and discard them.

  • Add the celery pieces and water to a high powdered blender. Blend well until the mixture no longer has chunks of celery and is just liquid.

  • Strain the celery juice through cheesecloth into a medium bowl.

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy. Shake the juice before drinking if it has settled on the bottom.



Serves: 3

Serving1cupCalories2kcalCarbohydrates0.4gProtein0.1gFat0.02gSaturated Fat0.01gPolyunsaturated Fat0.01gMonounsaturated Fat0.003gSodium15mg (1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889})Potassium35mg (1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889})Fiber0.2g (1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889})Sugar0.2gVitamin A60IU (1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889})Vitamin C0.4mgCalcium8mg (1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889})Iron0.03mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Course Beverage

Keyword celery juice, gluten free, Healthy, vegetarian