Non-Alcoholic Manhattan with Sleep Tea Infused Cherries
The secret to this sleepy Manhattan? Watch for the cherries. It's a clever twist on the beloved cocktail, combining non-alcoholic bourbon and sweet vermouth with sleep tea-infused dark cherries for a drink that’s as elegant as it is functional. Perfect for those evenings when you want a proper cocktail hour without the 3am wakeup.
Yield: 1 cocktail
Prep: 5 min cocktail plus 4+ hours for cherry infusion
Best for: Sleep support, about an hour before bed
Ingredients
Cocktail:
- 2 oz non-alcoholic whiskey or bourbon
- 1 oz non-alcoholic sweet vermouth
- 3 dashes aromatic bitters
- ½ oz sleepy tea cherry infusion (from recipe below)
- 3 sleepy tea infused cherries for garnish
- Orange peel for garnish (optional)
Infusion:
- 3 oz water
- 2–3 tea bags or 2 tbsp loose sleep tea blend (valerian or passionflower-based)
- 15 frozen dark sweet cherries
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp raw honey
Preparation
- Steep the tea. Bring water to a boil, add tea bags or loose tea, and steep for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the infusion base. Strain tea into a clean jar, stir in honey and lemon juice, and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Add cherries. Add frozen cherries to the cooled tea mixture, stir gently, seal, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Mix the cocktail. Add NA bourbon, NA vermouth, bitters, and cherry infusion to a mixing glass filled with ice. Stir for 20 seconds.
- Strain and serve. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Express orange peel over the drink for aroma if desired.
- Garnish. Add 3 infused cherries on a cocktail pick.
How to Serve
- Classic: Serve in a chilled coupe glass with cherry garnish
Storage
- Infused cherries: Keep refrigerated up to 5 days. These aren’t traditionally preserved, so use within the recommended timeframe.
Why These Ingredients Work
Valerian root supports sleep by increasing GABA activity in the brain, helping quiet racing thoughts. It’s one of the most studied herbal sleep aids—but notoriously funky-tasting. The bold cherry and bitters work together to mask it beautifully.
Passionflower contains flavonoids that activate GABA receptors in the brain, enhancing the body’s natural calming response and reducing stress signals. It’s been used traditionally to ease restlessness and promote relaxation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t bitters have alcohol?
Most bitters do contain alcohol, which is why we love the ones from All the Bitter listed below that are alcohol-free.
What sleep tea should I choose?
Use any blend you love— a few of my go-to’s: Culinary Teas Bedtime (chamomile, lemongrass, valerian), Traditional Medicinals Nighty Night (chamomile & passionflower), or Rishi Tea Valerian Dream (valerian primary).
Can I use fresh cherries instead of frozen?
Yes. Pit them first, and simmer briefly in the tea for a deeper infusion before cooling and refrigerating.
Important Considerations
- New to these herbs? Test a small amount first and see how your body responds.
- Pregnant or nursing? Avoid valerian and passionflower. Always check with your healthcare provider.
- Taking medications? Skip sleep tea blends with valerian or passionflower if you’re on sedatives, benzodiazepines, SSRIs, or MAOIs. Consult your doctor first.
Where to Buy
Non-alcoholic vermouth: We love Aperitif Rosso by Roots Divino
Non-alcoholic bourbon: Little Saint's St. Oak has a nice woody and peppery flavor, crafted with lion’s mane mushrooms. Also zero sugar— perfect for sleep-friendly nightcaps.
Sleep tea blends: Culinary Teas offers Bedtime blend with chamomile, lemongrass, and valerian. Traditional Medicinals and Rishi Tea are also widely available at natural food stores.
Alcohol-free bitters: All the Bitter makes delicious aromatic bitters without any alcohol.
