The viral 'sleepy girl mocktail' promises the best sleep of your life.

Gather around, sleep-deprived sweeties. Because there's a viral new hack getting around that promises to help you get the best night's snooze since the womb. 

It's called the 'sleepy girl mocktail' and, as you can probably tell from the name, it's everywhere on TikTok right now, racking up millions upon millions of views, with users sharing everything from their personal (and very aesthetic-looking) recipes to their results.

Wellness influencers are branding it one of the biggest new wellbeing trends for 2024, touting it as an effective solution to help people sleep. 

Watch: Speaking of sleep - do you know there's a specific way to nap to boost your energy? Well, there is! Check it out below.

So what exactly is a 'sleepy girl mocktail'?

If you're not familiar, the idea behind it is kinda similar to the Instagram 'moon milk tea' craze from a few years back, only it features a different blend of ingredients (also it's a chilled drink instead of a hot tea!).

But does it actually work? We asked an expert.

What is the sleepy girl mocktail?

While there are a few different variations, the pre-bedtime drink goes something like this: a spoonful of powdered magnesium mixed into a glass of flavoured seltzer (or sparkling water) combined with some tart cherry juice. And... that's it!

You're supposed to slurp it down before bed and get a better sleep.

Check it out below:

@kaylagresh been in my sleepy girl mocktail era 😴💗✨ save mocktail recipe for later! Magnesium powder in my amazon SF under “kitchen” ✨ #sleepygirl #sleepygirlmocktail #mocktailrecipe #mocktail #thatgirl #satisfyingvideo #satisfyingsounds #asmr #asmrsounds #recipeasmr ♬ One kiss x i was Never There (薛易 Remix) - 薛易

Pretty! Looks yum! 

So what are the supposed benefits? 

According to Fiona Tuck, a nutritional medicine practitioner and cosmetic chemist, magnesium in the body is associated with improved sleep quality and less tiredness during the day.  

 "Some studies found that magnesium supplementation helped with falling asleep faster and protected against waking up earlier than intended," she said. 

She also adds that tart cherry juice is a good source of melatonin which "may help reduce feelings of anxiety and aid calmness, reduces inflammation, and may be partially responsible for improvement in insomnia."

"Tart cherry juice has been shown to increase sleep time and sleep efficiency when taken for two weeks, 240ml two times daily." 

TikTok user @taaylorvictoriaa shared her mum's recipe on TikTok, before reporting her experience the following morning.

"My mum made me my first sleepy girl mocktail... [but] I have a toddler who had other plans for me last night and kept waking up. I will say your girl was yawning at like 8.30pm. I usually go to bed at like 11pm or 12pm because I'm just on my phone mindlessly scrolling," she said.

@taaylorvictoriaa Replying to @Shania update!!! i slept 12 hrs hahaha 😴😴 #sleepygirlmocktail #update ♬ original sound - taylor

"I was asleep at 9.30pm. Before that I was feeling super relaxed. Usually when I'm lying down in bed, my muscles get super tense... last night my legs just felt like they were floating. I didn't feel tense in my shoulders like I normally do. I just felt super good and relaxed and comfortable in bed."

Can the sleepy girl mocktail actually help you sleep?

So, is there any evidence behind it? Can the sleepy mocktail actually help you get a better sleep?

Yes and no. According to Tuck, 'sleepy girl mocktails' could "possibly" improve your sleep.

"There have been some studies to suggest tart cherry juice and magnesium may benefit sleep. Getting the correct dose and taking the right type of magnesium and cherry juice is important," she told Mamamia. 

"Whilst some forms of magnesium may support sleep others may make you feel more energised and may not be beneficial to help sleep. Magnesium in the form of magnesium glycinate is considered better for sleep. This is because magnesium glycinate has a more calming effect on the body and is more bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body."

Tuck also adds that tart cherry juice has been shown in some studies to increase sleep time and sleep efficiency, so may provide mild benefits. 

"Cherry juice is a source of melatonin, increases tryptophan availability which may help reduce feelings of anxiety and aid calmness, reduces inflammation, and may be partially responsible for improvement in insomnia," she said.

Andrea Zapantis from KYH Nutrition, stresses the importance of individual differences when it comes to the effectiveness of sleep mocktails, including underlying sleep issues and of course, the placebo effect.

"People react differently to substances, and what works for one person may not work for another. Genetics, metabolism, and overall health play a role in how individuals respond to sleep aids," Zapantis said.

"Sleep mocktails might be more effective for individuals with mild sleep disturbances rather than those with chronic insomnia or more serious sleep disorders."

Further to this, Zapantis said, "The ritual of preparing and consuming a sleep mocktail may have a placebo effect, where the belief in its efficacy influences perceived improvements in sleep.

Both experts also warn against taking supplements willy-nilly, highlighting that different supplement brands may contain different ingredients and different amounts. 

"Whilst there is no harm in trying cherry juice, the issue I see is first finding tart cherry juice and drinking the right amount to see results," said Tuck. 

"Taking synthetic vitamin supplements in high doses can have serious side effects, so mixing up cocktails can potentially be dangerous if the dosage is too high."

"Mixing different vitamins and minerals without professional guidance is not something I would recommend especially as different supplements vary in dosage and ingredients. So simply adding 'a tablespoon' of magnesium is not a safe recommendation. Magnesium supplement dosage requirements may vary from 120 mg up to high levels of 500mg."

So, just be wary of this!

Zapantis also said that while 'sleepy girls mocktails' may potentially contribute to improved sleep for some individuals, it's crucial to recognise the importance of quality sleep through a more holistic lens.

Read: A viral TikTok drink won't fix your sleep issues for good.

"Sleep is influenced by various lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, stress levels, and sleep hygiene. Sleep Mocktails alone may not be a panacea for poor sleep if these other factors are not addressed," said Zapantis.

"Sleep plays a fundamental role in overall well-being, affecting physical health, mental clarity, and emotional balance. Considering sleep within the broader context of a person's lifestyle, encompassing factors such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, and sleep hygiene, is essential for fostering lasting improvements in sleep quality." 

If you're struggling with getting enough sleep, Tuck recommends starting with the basics and trying to work out why sleep quality is compromised. 

"Avoid caffeinated beverages in the afternoon and evening, avoid alcohol at nighttime, sleep in a dark, cool room and naturally help your own melatonin production by avoiding bright lights and electronic devices before bed," she said. 

"Ensure your diet is rich in wholefoods with minimal ultra-processed foods. I would always recommend consulting with a qualified nutritionist/dietician for diet and nutrition advice, especially when it comes to taking vitamin or mineral supplements to ensure you are taking a safe and effective dose."

What do you think of the 'sleepy girl mocktail'? Would you try it? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Feature image: TikTok/@kaylagresh; @taaylorvictoriaa.