Nightcap (beverage).
7 min read
Drink taken shortly before bedtime
.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}For other uses, see Nightcap.
A Bedtime Drink by Dutch painter Johannes Rosierse (c. 1860)
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
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See also: Alcohol use and sleep
In folk medicine consuming a nightcap is for the purpose of inducing sleep. Alcohol is not recommended by many doctors as a sleep aid because it interferes with sleep quality.[3] But, in low doses, alcohol has sleep-promoting benefits,[4] and some popular sleep medicines include 10% alcohol,[5] although the effects of alcohol upon sleep can wear off somewhat after several nights of consecutive use.[6]
Nightcaps can be neat or mixed. They should not be served chilled or on the rocks, because one point is 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
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A nightcap was originally alcoholic, since it makes the drinker feel warm and helps them sleep, just like the garment of the same name.[11] However, warm milk is often recommended as a nightcap for inducing sleep, as it contains both tryptophan and calcium.[12] The effectiveness of warm milk for inducing sleep is disputed.[13]
In 1930, Ovaltine was advertised as “the world’s best ‘night-cap’ to ensure sound, natural sleep”.[11]
See also
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- Apéritif and digestif
- Sleep hygiene
References
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External links
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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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