How to stop bottles before sleep?

My son will happily drink liquid from a sippy cup. But, when it is time for nap or bed or middle of the night waking... He wants a bottle. PERIOD. No amount of rocking, patting, etc. will do. He does not fall asleep while drinking it. It's almost like he needs it to help himself settle. He'll sometimes only take a separate too, and then settle down to sleep. Any thoughts on how to break this habit? I will not CIO. Thinking about watering them down until it's just water?