Recently, The University of Texas Health Science Center began to quantify the availability and activity of the melatonin in cherry products. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant for which there is an extensive evidence showing it to be significant in improving the body’s circadian rhythms and natural sleep patterns. Tart cherry juice has recently been deemed one of Mother Nature’s most effective pain remedies. In addition to being tasty and natural, it can increase total anti-oxidative capacity, reduce inflammation and lipid peroxidation and aid in improving your quality of sleep.


Ingredients:

1 lb of cherries (16 ounces)
2 lbs sugar
½ pint water
3 bottles of carbonated water


Procedure:

Put the clean, seedless cherries and sugar in a saucepan. If you want your cherries on the super-tart side, add less sugar. You can also use a sugar substitute (like Splenda), honey, or agave syrup.
Cover the pan and leave at room temperature for 2 hours. The cherries need time to soak up the sweetness of the sugar. It’ll be so tangy that you’ll need the water to dilute it later.
Add the 1/2 pint of water and stir until all the sugar dissolves. You’re looking for one mostly uniform consistency (the cherry chunks will keep it from being entirely uniform).
Bring the contents up to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for fifteen minutes. It should maintain a light bubble the entire time, reducing the liquid and turning almost syrup.
When finished, strain the mixture. Squeeze all the moisture from the cherries into a separate saucepan. Don’t just strain it — really squeeze out all the juices.
To serve this drink, put one or two spoons of it into a glass of soda water. Sparkling water (or even just water) works, too. Feel free to experiment with the ratio to find your personal taste. It may take a try or two — but once you find the right combination, it’ll be easy.

Keep the rest in a  container to save for later. It’ll keep for a couple weeks if kept tight and in the refrigerator.