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Today, Iโ€™m sharing a simple beverage that can help you fall asleep. When I have trouble falling asleep, I turn to drinks like this moon milk recipe to relax my body naturally and help me sleep peacefully. If this is something you struggle to do then try out this pretty pink drink!

Why this Moon Milk Recipe Rawks

This soothing moon milk recipe isnโ€™t just a delicious bedtime treatโ€”itโ€™s packed with ingredients known for their calming and health-supporting properties. Moon milk is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine and helps promote relaxation and better sleep.

Tart cherry juice, a key ingredient, is a natural source of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles. Ashwagandha (and Lion’s Mane powder) has been shown to support stress reduction and cortisol balance, helping the body unwind after a long day. Additionally, cashew milk provides magnesium, which plays a crucial role in muscle relaxation and sleep quality.

Beyond personal wellness, moon milk is a sustainable alternative to store-bought sleep aids, offering a natural, plant-based way to promote rest and relaxation.

Pink moon milk in two mugs sprinkled with dried rose petals.

Ingredients Youโ€™ll Need

  • Cashew Milk: A creamy, plant-based milk with a mild, slightly nutty flavor. Available at most grocery stores in the refrigerated or shelf-stable section. I prefer to use homemade cashew milk because the extra ingredients in store-bought brands of cashew milk might separate and curdle when heated and combined with the cherry juice. You can check out my guide on how to make cashew milk.
  • Tart Cherry Juice: Offers a tangy, slightly sweet flavor that balances the drinkโ€™s richness. Look for 100% tart cherry juice in the juice aisle or health food section, avoiding added sugars or blends.
  • Lionโ€™s Mane powder or Ashwagandha powder: Both have an earthy, slightly bitter taste that blends well in warm drinks. Choose organic, high-quality powders for the best flavor and potency.
  • Raw Honey: A natural sweetener with floral and caramel-like undertones. For the best taste, choose raw, unfiltered honey from a local source.

How to Make Moon Milk

  1. Warm the cashew milk in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally or you can alternatively use an electric kettle for a faster, hands-off approach.
  2. Remove the cashew milk from the heat.
  3. Whisk the remaining ingredients until smooth.
  4. Sweeten as needed. A drizzle of honey or your favorite natural sweetener. This will enhance the flavor, or you can omit the sweetness if you want. 
  5. Garnish and serve in big heat safe mugs.

How to Froth Pink Moon Milk

To make a frothy version of pink moon milk, use a frother to create a light and airy texture by vigorously whisking, or blend in a blender until fluffy.

Easy Swaps and Add-Ins

Ingredients for a moon milk recipe including cherry juice, cashew milk, cinnamon and dried flowers.

Common Questions

What is moon milk?

Moon milk is a nighttime drink to help you fall asleep. It typically contains some type of milk, adaptogens and a sweetener like honey. My version is dairy free (made with cashew milk) and can help calm your body and mind before sleep.

Why is it called moon milk?

The moon milk name may be derived from an Ayurvedic belief about the moon phases affecting human sleep patterns. It has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine as an all-natural sleep aid and it’s sometimes prescribed for insomnia.

How often should I drink moon milk?

You can drink moon milk daily, preferably right before going to bed.

Two mugs of pink moon milk topped with dried flowers, ready to serve.

Creating an Environment for Good Sleep

While natural sleep aids like my moon milk recipe below are great, there are many other things you can do to set yourself up for a good night’s sleep. Here’s how I like to wind down for bed:

  1. Turn off electronics one hour before bed. I know nighttime might be your only time to catch up on social media or scroll through light-hearted videos, but it won’t help you sleep! Instead, set a timer for one hour before bedtime and turn off that device. Read a book, meditate, or talk to your loved ones before turning in.
  2. Keep your bedtime consistent. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day gives your body a natural pattern to follow. If you do this for several days in a row, you’ll find a good rhythm that will help you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more refreshed.
  3. Get rid of the lights. Even the little glow from a charger can disrupt sleep! Try to keep lights out of your bedroom while you’re sleeping. Plug electronics in the hall or kitchen to avoid having them light up while you’re trying to fall asleep.

Try these tips for seven days, then let me know how it goes! Are you more rested? More energized? In a better mood? What are your go-to methods to help you fall asleep? I want to hear it all.

Pink moon milk in two mugs on a serving tray, surrounded by dried flowers and an open book.

More Drinks to Help You Sleep

Pharmaceutical sleep aids often leave me groggy for hours after I wake up and give me super weird dreams. Iโ€™ve turned to plants to guide me toward good and fulfilling sleep. When I canโ€™t get my mind to stop running or I find myself restless before bed, I turn to my favorite sleep drinks like warm pink moon milk. If sleep alludes you on a regular basis, then try one of these calming recipes designed to soothe your body into natural slumber:

If you make this Pink Moon Milk, Iโ€™d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if youโ€™re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.

Two white mugs filled with pink moon milk, garnished with culinary rose petals.
5 from 1 vote

Pink Moon Milk

Drift into restful sleep with this soothing pink moon milk. Made with calming ingredients like lion's mane powder and tart cherry juice, itโ€™s a cozy, dairy-free drink perfect for your nighttime routine.
Prep: 2 minutes
Cook: 8 minutes
Total: 10 minutes
Author: Jen Hansard
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: Healing
Serves: 2

Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • Gently heat cashew milk in a small pan over medium heat until very hot. Remove from heat and whisk in remaining ingredients. For a frothy version, whisk vigorously (use a frother) or blend in a blender.
  • Pour into heat-safe mugs. Garnish with dried buds, if desired, and serve immediately.
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Notes

  • Using store-bought cashew milk works, however, homemade is preferred. Due to the extra ingredients in store-bought brands, the cashew milk will likely separate and curdle when heated and combined with the cherry juice. It will still be fine to drink.ย 
  • Follow the suggested serving size for Lion’s mane powder depending on the brand used.
  • Swap cashew milk with the dairy-free milk of your choice.
  • Swap Lion’s mane for 1 tsp of Ashwagandha powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 2g, Calories: 274kcal, Carbohydrates: 66g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 174mg, Potassium: 409mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 57g, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe? Show me!Mention @SimpleGreenSmoothies or tag #SimpleGreenSmoothies!

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Comments

    1. Hi Georgia! There’s not a really great replacement for the tart cherry juice due to it’s ability to help increase melatonin. Yet, you may give grape juice or pineapple juice a try!

  1. Hi! Would reishi powder work instead of lionโ€™s mane? I have some to use up.

    1. Hey Julie, although they have different health properties both can do wonderful things and would make a great substitute!

    1. Hi Susan,

      Moringa has a lot of health benefits, but there are mixed reviews on what time of day is the best time to consume it. It doesn’t contain caffeine, but it is touted for improving energy. Our Pink Moon Milk recipe is intended as a night cap of sorts, but you can of course make it anytime! So, I would go for it. Maybe just note if moringa seems to energize you, before including in your tea close to bed time.

  2. Ashwagandha powder.
    Lion’s mane
    Montmorency tart cherry juice
    Iโ€™m not familiar with ashwaganda or lions mane. I did find a ashwaganda tea-would that work?
    I found tart cherry juice but not montmorency -would that work?
    Just from briefly reading reviews on Amazon some say that Ashwagandha has a bad taste. Is the Lions mane a milder taste?

  3. 5 stars
    This sounds delicious! Would you recommend oat milk instead of cashew to not have clumps when it heats up?

    1. Hi Erin, great question! Homemade cashew milk (or any homemade plant milk) will react the best when heating. It won’t give you that clumpy consistency that you may get when using store-bought plant-milk. The curdling is due to the extra ingredients added to the store brands. However, store-bought brands will work, too! If you use cashew milk and it starts to get clumpy in your Pink Moon Milk, it’s still safe to drink. Try to make sure the milk doesn’t heat too quickly or to too high of a temperature.
      You can use oat milk, if it’s preferred, however the same curdling possibilities and suggestions I made for the cashew milk would apply.
      Homemade is the best option. Warmed milk, not boiling. Safe to drink either way. ๐Ÿ™‚
      Hope this helps.