Nightcap (drink) - Wikipedia

Drink taken shortly before bedtime For other uses, see Nightcap.

A nightcap is a drink taken shortly before bedtime. For example, a small alcoholic beverage or glass of warm milk can supposedly promote a good night's sleep.[1][2]

Alcoholic nightcaps and sleep

[edit] See also: Alcohol use and sleep

In folk medicine consuming a nightcap is for the purpose of inducing sleep. Alcohol is not recommended by doctors as a sleep aid because it interferes with sleep quality.[3] Some popular sleep medicines include 10% alcohol,[4] although sleep-inducing effects of alcohol wears off after a few nights of consecutive use.[5][6]

Nightcaps can be neat or mixed. They should not be served chilled or on the rocks, because a nightcap is supposed to induce a feeling of warmth.[7] The hot toddy is usually considered the original nightcap.[8] Other traditional nightcaps include brown liquor like brandy or bourbon,[7] and cream-based liqueurs such as Irish cream. Wine, especially fortified,[9] can also function as a nightcap.[10] Since some nightcaps are made of amaro, a digestif, they are believed to also make settling into bed easier by promoting digestion.[8]

Non-alcoholic

[edit]

A nightcap was originally alcoholic, since it warms drinkers and helps them sleep, just like the garment of the same name.[11] Warm milk has also been used as a nightcap for inducing sleep,[12] however its effectiveness is disputed.[13]

Dentists and medical professionals advise against drinking milk before bed, as it contributes to tooth decay — caused by the prolonged exposure to lactose during one's sleep. Unless teeth are brushed after the consumption of a nightcap, the only recommended beverage before bed is plain water, and in small quantities to avoid the urge to urinate during the night.[14][15][16]

In 1930, Ovaltine was advertised as "the world's best 'night-cap' to ensure sound, natural sleep",[11] although such claims lack scientific basis.

See also

[edit]

• Apéritif and digestif
• Sleep hygiene

References

[edit]

1. ^ Stone, Barbara M. (June 1980). "Sleep and low doses of drinks". Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology. 48 (6): 706–709. doi:10.1016/0013-4694(80)90427-7. PMID 6155259.
2. ^ Green, Wendy (2011). "Enjoy a milky nightcap". The Greatest Guide to Slimming & Healthy Living. Greatest Guides. p. 151. ISBN 978-1-907906-00-8.
3. ^ "Alcohol & Sleep: Nix the Nightcap?". Webmd. Retrieved November 1, 2015.
4. ^ "VICKS ZZZQUIL FAQ", Vicks, accessed November 20, 2017: "ZzzQuil Calming Vanilla Cherry Liquid and ZzzQuil Warming Berry Liquid contain 10 percent alcohol. ZzzQuil LiquiCaps and ZzzQuil Alcohol Free Liquid do not contain alcohol."
5. ^ Roehrs, Timothy; Roth, Thomas (2001). "Sleep, Sleepiness, and Alcohol Use". Alcohol Research & Health. 25 (2): 101–109. PMC 6707127. PMID 11584549.
6. ^ Stein, Michael D.; Friedmann, Peter D. (March 2005). "Disturbed Sleep and Its Relationship to Alcohol Use". Substance Abuse. 26 (1): 1–13. doi:10.1300/j465v26n01_01. PMC 2775419. PMID 16492658.
7. ^ a b Mattress, Kiss. "5 Great Nightcaps – Ending The Best Night Of Your Life". Kiss Mattress. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
8. ^ a b Stock, Mark (October 10, 2021). "The 5 Best Nightcap Cocktails To End the Day Right". The Manual. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
9. ^ Newman, Kara. "Five Nightcap Cocktails to End the Day Right". Wine Enthusiast. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
10. ^ Gaines, Jordan. "A night cap may get you to sleep, but studies show it will also make you sleep less well", Washington Post (December 2, 2013).
11. ^ a b "Overview Nightcap", Oxford Reference, Oxford University Press, accessed November 20, 2017.
12. ^ Green, Wendy. The Greatest Guide to Slimming & Healthy Living, p. 15 (2010).
13. ^ Wright, Brierly. "Six sleep myths busted", Sun-Sentinel (June 13, 2012).
14. ^ Cheng, Heilok; John, James; Scott, Jane; Denney-Wilson, Elizabeth; Do, Loc; Bhole, Sameer; Baur, Louise; Arora, Amit (April 1, 2025). "Bottle feeding to sleep beyond 12 months is associated with higher risk of tooth decay and overweight in Australian children: Findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids cohort study". Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health. 49 (2) 100224. doi:10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100224. ISSN 1326-0200.
15. ^ Tungare, Sujata; Paranjpe, Arati G. (2025), "Early Childhood Caries", StatPearls, Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 30570970, retrieved October 14, 2025
16. ^ "Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research". Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research. 82 (4): 209–209. December 1, 2021. doi:10.3148/cjdpr-2021-029. ISSN 1486-3847.

External links

[edit] Look up nightcap in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Schaap, Rosie (November 13, 2011), "Rules for an Honorable Nightcap", The New York Times.
• Hamblin, James (January 23, 2013), "Never Say Yes to a Nightcap", The Atlantic.

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