Pink Moon Milk {a dreamy sleep tonic}
By Amanda Paa – Last updated: May 25, 2023
This soothing Pink Moon Milk is a dreamy sleep tonic, made with creamy almond milk, honey, and tart cherry juice. Tart cherries are a natural source of melatonin, which is responsible for the regulation of the body’s internal clock and sleep-wake cycle. It's the perfect bedtime drink, and you'll love the flavors of cherry and almond together.
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Making Pink Moon Milk
Before bedtime, I’ve been drinking this soul soothing Pink Moon Milk. I love that this recipe falls into the category of “I’m-delicious-but-also-medicinal”, and is very easy to make. During the day, I sip on this Cucumber Lemon Water that’s hydrating, but also so refreshing.
This delicious warm drink is made with homemade almond milk (or storebought oat milk is delicious!), honey, and Montmorency tart cherry juice, one of the few natural sources of melatonin, which is responsible for the regulation of the body’s internal clock and sleep-wake cycle. I also added a little ashwagandha, considered an adaptogen, a substance that enhances the body’s adaptive response to stress and balances normal body functions.
I love its light sweetness, and the way cherries work with almonds (a classic flavor combination). The dried rose petals certainly add beauty, but the fragrance that drifts to your nose with each sip is quite relaxing as well.
Adding a sleep tonic for better sleep
From being very young and pushing for just two more minutes before getting tucked in, to consistently flying in the door at exactly curfew time in high school. To college, where I wouldn’t walk out the door to party until after 9pm, and sleep until noon the next day.
As I age, I’m the exact opposite – so excited for my head to hit the pillow every single night. The exhales. The slow down. The closing of the day. But if only my excitement for sleep matched the ease of falling asleep.
I’ve been consciously working on my nighttime routine to help calm my mind, and body, so that I’m able to fall asleep easier. Sleep is so incredibly important in recharging, and regenerating our cells, and all the working parts that keep us moving forward each day.
I first started by agreeing to put my phone/computer screen down at 10:30pm, as I’d find myself lying in bed, scrolling mindlessly through social media or emails, further provoking racing thoughts. I also run an aromatherapy diffuser all night, using this Peaceful Sleep Oil blend, which I feel really does help.
I started taking a shower at night instead of in the morning, to act as a signal to my brain of washing the day off, and embrace the soothing feeling that hot water and steam can give.
More Soothing Drink Recipes:
Yield: 1 serving
SCALE:
Ingredients
- 6 ounces almond milk preferably homemade, storebought tends to separate when heated. But store-bought oat milk works great and is delicious!
- 4 ounces unsweetened Montmorency tart cherry juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon ashwagandha powder
- dried culinary rose petals for garnish
Instructions
- Heat almond milk and tart cherry juice over low heat in a small pot.
- Remove from heat, and whisk in honey and ashwagandha. (If you want to make it really frothy, you can add it to a blender). Top with rose petals and drink warm.
Did you make this?
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May 9, 2017
I’m wondering if powdered magnesium would also add a benefit.
Am very intrigued at this recipe & looking forward to trying! I have liquid ashgawanda, can that be substituted for the powder & if so, ratios? Also, do you have a recipe for the homemade almond milk? Thank you 😊
Thoughts on how long to heat if using store bought almond milk? Does it have to be heated?
It will actually turn out great if you don’t heat it when using store-bought almond milk! I find that when heated, store-bought almond milk can separate. So if you do, just make sure it’s a very gentle warming.
Hello I’m sensitive to almond can I use a different milk base like coconut or oat?
Yes, I prefer using coconut if you can’t tolerate almond!
This was super delicious! I used a tincture of ashwaganda that I had instead but I couldn’t taste it at all. I didn’t even take my nightly melatonin. It would be lovely paired with a chunk of dark chocolate.
the dark chocolate pairing is brilliant!
Hi , Just saw your blog and this pink moon recipe. I am taking ashwagandha in tonic ( liquid form). My question is Can I use dairy milk instead of almond milk?
Also since I am taking ashwagandha earlier in the day so skipping it in the pink drink will help me with sleep. Thanks
Yes, it’s excellent with regular dairy milk! I’ve made it that way before, too.
Ashwaganda root powder is an AMAZING way to reset your body! This recipe is so good, thank you.
Does the honey serve a purpose other than sweetening the drink?
It sweetens it lightly and mutes the taste of the ashwagandha!
Just got my Ashwagandha root powder did not know about the tart cherry juice till now i heated 1 cup of milk then added half spoon of ashwagandha and honey taste great cant wait to get the cherry juice.
Thanks so much!!!
Where can I get unsweetened Montmorency tart cherry juice? I tried to Google it but I don’t see any of them that are unsweetened. Is there a brand you can recommend?
hi Coco! you can find in on amazon, if you’re in the US! affiliate link: https://amzn.to/2T5Qij1
OMGosh this is sensational I’m so glad I found your blog, I will definitely be putting some of these recipes to good use 😊 my question is regarding the cherry juice is there a way to make it at home? As we don’t have that brand in Australia that I’m aware 😊 may your weekend be bliss
any brand of tart cherry concentrate will work!
I feel like Kourtney Kardashian stole this idea ftom
You!! Check out the Poosh pink moon milk
i didn’t even know she had something like this! lol. just checked it out.
Last week, I had a nutritionist tell me to start adding in Ashwaganda into my daily routine to help with hormonal balance. I decided to try the powder form instead of pill form, and just made this for the first time tonight. The taste was absolutely delicious!! I think this will easily become a normal part of my nightly routine.
i like the powder form as well. so glad you liked the recipe!
Can I make just a big ol batch of this and bottle them up for use as needed? My prep kitchen habits always show.
i haven’t tried making it in large quantities!
Yep- tart cherry juice & homemade almond milk.
Same thing I got – a dark, nearly purple color. Tasted good, though. I used organic tart cherry juice (not from concentrate). Bottle doesn’t specify the type of cherries used.
This is delicious and I really think I’m sleeping better having incorporated it into my nighttime routine, but one big question- how do you get yours to be such a pretty light pink color? Mine keeps coming out closer to mauve or burgundy! I even tried reducing the amount of cherry juice but it’s still an awful color. Not that it matters that much, as long as it tastes delicious and does the job, but I am curious!
Hi Kerry! Are you using tart cherry juice? It may also depend on what kind of milk you are using.
I cannot find cherry juice where I live, but I can get my hands on frozen black cherries. How do you think I could use them instead of the tart cherry juice? Do black cherries have the same properties than tart cherries for sleeping purposes?
Hi Maria! You could blend the black cherries with this recipe and make it a smoothie, instead of a warm beverage. Black cherries unfortunately don’t have the same chemical properties such as melatonin, that are helpful with sleep.
I made this and the almond milk separated when I added the cherry juice, any advice on how to fix this? Otherwise, it tasted great!
Hi April! Did you by chance use storebought almond milk? I find it works much better with homemade. Also, did you whisk them together thoroughly while warm on the stove?
Same thing just happened to mine :(
Separated for sure. And yes I used store bought almond milk. I guess I can’t make this recipe if not then :/
Yes, storebought nut milk will separate in this. But I just found a solution! Make sure to not overheat the milk and cherry juice, which can cause separation. And the blender frothing also really helps.
I love this and will be sure to try it soon. We buy tart cherry juice concentrate buy the case.
I’m excited to try this, starting tomorrow night! I’m a “night owl” – due to many years of staying out late into the early hours of the morning. I’ve been having some difficulty at night with putting my phone down, stop scrolling through social media, and getting to bed earlier. Thank you for sharing this! It sounds so good!
It definitely helped me wind down! Hope you enjoy. xo
thank you for this concotion, already exhausted this early in the year and need every bit of help I can get in the sleep department!
Can you substitute milk for nut milk? I have a nut allergery but this sounds so amazing.
Hi Jeanette! Regular dairy milk or coconut would work great.
I can’t wait to try this! :) Is there a specific brand of cherry juice that you use/recommend?
Yes, i use unsweetened pure cherry juice, like this one!
So beautiful! I never used to be a pink person until recently, and if I hadn’t already warmed to it, THIS color would convert me! Would this drink work with the juice from fresh cherries as well? They are just about in season this time in Morocco :) xoxo
I confess, I’ve always been into pink! But it sure is having it’s day right now. I’m sure this would be amazing if you juiced the cherries yourself. xo!
oh my gosh!! these photos!! totally obsessed, especially with all that pink. so beautiful Amanda Xx
This is stunning!
Izzy | Pinch of delight
all the love, Izzy!
Just beautiful, Amanda :)
thank you, Heidi!
Such a pretty pale pink and those rose petals too. I see ashwaganda popping up everywhere these days, but I’ve yet to try. Have you noticed a difference since using it? Do you order yours or can you get it at Whole Foods? Agree with the quiet bedtime routine- I switched to showering at night as well and it’s been a great way to calm and soothe after a long day.
It was my first time using rose petals… and gosh, they are so lovely! And subtle. I have noticed a difference using the ashwagandha, especially in my mind/thought racing. So ultimately sleep. I use this one: http://amzn.to/2qv95GH. xo
I’m totally with you, the sooner I can go to the bed..the better! I’ve never even thought about combining cherry juice and almond milk, but the combo sounds amazing. I’m with Kelsey, I need to work on a better nighttime routine, winding down from day rather than just hopping into bed and scrolling through social media endlessly. xoxo
the SCROLL. gosh, that’s exactly it. i will say that putting the phone away (most days) at 10:30pm has been really refreshing. but it’s sometimes hard with the jobs we do! xo
I am 100% with you on the switching sleep cycles to getting to bed earlier and getting a sounder sleep. This sleep tonic is gorgeous, but it also sounds so delicious. I’m all for nighttime routines that calm and soothe. Needless to say, I’ll be trying this one out! xoxo
I made the ashwagandah with warm milk,Cinnamon, crushed cardamon and maple syrup warmed up.very nice thank you.Iwill be having this again