This post may contain affiliate links. See my affiliate disclosure policy.
Table of contents
Today, I’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 isn’t just a delicious bedtime treat—it’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.
Ingredients You’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 drink’s richness. Look for 100% tart cherry juice in the juice aisle or health food section, avoiding added sugars or blends.
- Lion’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
- 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.
- Remove the cashew milk from the heat.
- Whisk the remaining ingredients until smooth.
- 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.
- 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
- Swap cashew milk: Trade cashew milk for the dairy-free milk of your choice. You can check out my list of 5 dairy free milk recipes for more inspiration.
- Swap Lion’s Mane: If you don’t have Lion’s Mane powder, you can use 1 tsp of Ashwagandha powder.
- Swap Raw Honey: You can look at my list of the best natural sweeteners, to see other ideas to sweeten your moon milk like maple syrup.
- Add Dried Culinary Rose Petals: Adds a delicate floral aroma and an elegant touch. Buy food-grade rose petals from spice shops, tea stores, or online retailers.
- Add Dried Culinary Lavender Buds: Infuses a subtle, herbal floral note. Use organic culinary lavender for the best taste and avoid overuse to prevent an overpowering flavor.
Common Questions
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.
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.
You can drink moon milk daily, preferably right before going to bed.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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. I’ve turned to plants to guide me toward good and fulfilling sleep. When I can’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, I’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 you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
Pink Moon Milk
Ingredients
- ½ cup cashew milk
- ½ cup tart cherry juice
- 2 tsp Lion's Mane powder
- 1 tbsp raw honey raw
- dried culinary rose petals optional
- dried culinary lavender buds optional
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.
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.
- 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.
Made this to relax and read a book before bed. Didn’t have cashew milk so subbed Almond milk. I also used date syrup instead of honey to lower the glycemic load and added food grade rose petals on top. Recommend adding the cherry juice to the hot plant based milk while still on the stove. My cherry juice was cold from the fridge and made the combined drink lukewarm. Was wonderful! We will see how I sleep tonight.
Sounds like it turned out great, Kristen!
I drink Organic, lactose free 2% milk and I have no issues with it all.
For people who really enjoy cows milk and their body enjoys it, also…is there any reason I shouldn’t swap out plant milk for the above besides that cows milk isn’t plant based?
Thanks!
Hi Kathy! If you’re not having issues, then you can definitely keep rawkin’ with your organic milk!
Any replacement od the cherry?
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!
Hi! Would reishi powder work instead of lion’s mane? I have some to use up.
Hey Julie, although they have different health properties both can do wonderful things and would make a great substitute!
Can you substitute moringa for the lion’s mane?
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.
Moringa is energizing , I would not take it after noon.
Ashwagandha powder.
Lion’s mane
Montmorency tart cherry juice
I’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?
This sounds delicious! Would you recommend oat milk instead of cashew to not have clumps when it heats up?
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. 🙂
Hope this helps.