A chilled and tasty way to catch some sleep!
This little summer sleep tonic is what your dreams are made of – that is if you can go to sleep. I think it’s safe to say that during summer we put our bodies through some crazy shit, including drinking, sun, bbq’s, and all the fun stuff that makes this season so freaking great. Nothing wrong with doing any of those things, but, unfortunately, this takes its toll on our sleep, especially when it’s hot as balls and you have no AC at home (myself included).
If you find yourself tossing and turning but don’t want to just reach for those sleeping pills, give this sleep tonic a go. Even better, if you can add some CBD to it it’ll work wonders for you! (the tart cherry juice masks the skunkiness of CBD). And hey if you just wanna have it as a cooler during the day, go ahead and do it (and add some gin to it? haha).
This tonic is a little mix between a non-alcoholic shrub and cherry pop, seriously, what could go wrong with that combo. Let’s make it!
Here’s the recipe:
Summer Sleep Tonic: Tart Cherry Juice Infused with Nutmeg, Cinnamon, and Fennel Seed
Makes 4-6 servings
Ingredients:
– 3 cups sour/tart cherry juice (you can find it at most health food stores, make sure it has no sugar added)
– 3 cinnamon sticks
– 1/2 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
– 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
– 2 tsp fennel seeds, crushed
– Lots of ice
– Sparkling water
Instructions:
1. Place the cherry juice, vinegar, and all spices in a non-reactive pan (stainless steel), then bring to slow simmer over low heat, simmer for 2 min and remove from the heat. Let the mix cool, then place in a jar with all the spices and refrigerate overnight.
2. To make the tonic, add about 1/4 cup to 1/3 of a cup (depending on how strong you want it) to a glass full of ice, top with sparkling water and add some fresh mint if you’re feeling fancy. Drink and sleep!
By the way, as you can see there’s no sweetener in this, if you want, you can add a touch of honey to sweeten it, but sour cherry juice straight up with no sugar added is supposed to be the shizz to help you sleep.
Cheers to stop counting sheeps!