Evening and sleep drinks in the UK: an honest guide
What is the best drink to have before bed in the UK?
No drink sold in the UK is authorised to claim it helps you sleep. The honest aim of an evening drink is to replace the things that get in the way of sleep, mainly caffeine late in the day and alcohol. A good evening drink is caffeine-free, low in sugar and part of a repeated wind-down routine. If it carries added Magnesium or Vitamin B6, it can say those contribute to normal psychological function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue, but not that they improve sleep.
Evening drinks compared
| Caffeine | Approved claim available | Watch out for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chamomile or other herbal tea | None | No | Very little; simple and cheap |
| Warm milk or oat drink | None | Only via naturally present or added vitamins | Calories if it becomes a hot chocolate |
| Tart cherry juice | None | No | Natural sugars; check the label |
| Caffeine-free functional can (e.g. Liquid RELAX) | None | Yes, for added Magnesium and B vitamins | Price per can; sugar per can |
| Decaf coffee | A small amount | No | Not fully caffeine-free |
| A glass of wine | None | No | Alcohol disturbs the second half of the night |
The trade-offs
Grass & Co. Liquid RELAX
- Caffeine-free and alcohol-free
- Magnesium, B6 and B12 with approved claims
- Feels like a proper drink, which helps it replace wine
- Cannot claim to help you sleep
- Costs more than a tea bag
- Contains Ashwagandha, which is not for everyone; check with your GP if pregnant or on medication
Herbal tea
- Cheapest option
- Warm, familiar ritual
- No approved claims
- Easy to skip
Cut caffeine after lunch and swap the evening glass of wine for something caffeine-free. Herbal tea is the cheapest way to do it. A functional can makes sense if you want the swap to feel like a real drink.
A chamomile tea bag costs pennies and does the same basic job of being caffeine-free. If your sleep is regularly poor, see a GP rather than buying any drink.
Mentioned in this piece
Questions people ask
- What is the best drink before bed?
- Anything caffeine-free, alcohol-free and low in sugar. Herbal tea, warm milk or a caffeine-free functional drink all fit. No drink is authorised in the UK to claim it improves sleep.
- Does tart cherry juice help you sleep?
- There is research interest, but no health claim is authorised for it in the UK, and it contains natural sugars.
- Is Liquid RELAX a sleep drink?
- No. It is a caffeine-free evening drink with Magnesium and B vitamins. It cannot claim to help sleep; it is designed to replace a late coffee or a glass of wine.
More comparisons
- The can aisleFunctional drinks compared: Grass & Co., TRIP, Neutonic and Water Junkie
- The label questionFruiting body vs mycelium
- The format questionCapsules vs powder vs drinks
Grass & Co. products are food supplements and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Do not exceed the stated dose. Most products are for adults; CBD is for adults only.