5 Delicious Kava Drink Recipes
When people think of kava, their minds often gravitate towards its potential benefits. One of the best herbs for mood with a side of relaxation?[1] Yes, please. However, they may also associate kava with its very distinct flavor, an au natural taste that’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
The good news? With a surge in kava’s popularity, an array of kava beverage recipes have emerged designed to enhance and even disguise its flavor—without compromising its effects.
So, whip out your blender and grab a scoop of ice cubes as we share some of our favorite kava recipes, from sparkling spritzers to savory smoothies and everything in between.
What Does Kava Taste Like?
If you ask a kava drinker what kava tastes like, they’ll likely give you a dissertation on its distinctly earthy and slightly bitter taste—and they’re not wrong. Truthfully, kava resembles and tastes similar to what you’d expect when you mix kava root powder with water: earthy water.
While the taste isn’t everyone’s first choice, most people (including the Pacific Islanders who’ve been drinking it for over 1,500 years) don’t drink traditional kava for its flavor alone.[2] They partake in it for its effects, one of which includes the tingling and numbing sensations experienced in the mouth while consuming it.
Islanders and kava enthusiasts alike have learned that when they feel that notorious slight tingling on their tongue and cheeks, it means that the kava’s effects are about to spread throughout their bodies. This understanding makes the bitter concoction much more palatable as it goes down.
The Benefits of Drinking Kava
After hearing a little about the hype, you’re probably wondering, what exactly are the effects of kava? While it won’t give you wings, some kava users experience several benefits after taking it, including:
- Feelings of well-being and relaxation[3]
- Muscle relaxation[4]
- Anxiety relief[5]
- Enhanced focus[6]
5 Kava Recipes
Whether you’re looking to mask the kava plant’s natural taste or you feel like embracing your inner barista and concocting a few tempting kava recipes for you and your friends, you’ve come to the right place. From hot chocolate kava to kava protein smoothies, we’re sharing the five best kava recipes that you’ll want to put on repeat.
#1 Mint Kava Cooler
This mix is perfect for the holiday season (or any time you’re craving a minty pick-me-up).
To make this mint kava recipe, be sure you have the following ingredients on hand:
- 1 serving (half a bottle) of feel free® tonic
- ¼ cup water
- A wedge of lime
- A scoop of ice cubes
- A sprig of fresh mint leaves
- A cocktail shaker
- A glass that exudes an air of sophistication (but any cup will do)
With your ingredients set aside, follow these simple instructions to craft the ultimate mint-inspired kava cocktail:
- Step 1: Muddle the mint leaves in a small bowl to release their zest.
- Step 2: Put the ice cubes, muddled mint leaves, water, and half the bottle of tonic into the cocktail shaker.
- Step 3: Shake, shake, and shake your concoction some more (approximately 15 seconds).
- Step 4: Pour the mixture into a cocktail glass, garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy.
#2 Kava-Infused Coconut Hot Chocolate
As a kid, not much beat the days of convincing your mom to let you make a cup of steaming hot cocoa. Now, you can recreate those feelings of excitement and chocolatey goodness—but with an adult twist: kava.
It’s coconutty, it’s earthy, and it’s easy to make with a few essential ingredients:
- 1 serving (half a bottle) of feel free® tonic
- Four ounces of coconut water
- Three ounces of coconut milk
- Two tablespoons of chocolate syrup (or half a tablespoon of cocoa powder and a tablespoon of maple syrup)
- A saucepan
- A kid-friendly mug to remind you of the good ol’ days
After gathering your ingredients, follow these instructions for a hot cup of nostalgia:
- Step 1: Pour half the bottle of feel free® tonic, the coconut water, coconut milk, and chocolate syrup into the saucepan. (If you’re using cocoa powder and maple syrup instead of chocolate syrup, you’ll want to whisk and blend all of the ingredients in the saucepan).
- Step 2: Heat the mixture on the stovetop on medium heat until it boils, stirring occasionally
- Step 3: Once it begins to boil, turn off the burner and allow the hot chocolate kava to cool slightly before pouring it into your mug.
#3 Kava Citrus Fizz
Looking for a refreshing afternoon spritzer? Whether it’s your turn to host the monthly at-home brunch or you’re craving a bit of bubbly poolside fun, this kava citrus fizz will hit the spot.
Before heading off to the pool, don’t forget the following ingredients for a recipe that serves four:
- Two bottles of feel free® tonic
- Two cups of orange juice
- Two cups of sparkling water
- Ice, as needed
- A pitcher (We recommend a mason jar pitcher—it’s perfect for all occasions!)
- Champagne flutes
Follow these instructions for the only bubbly your besties will request moving forward:
- Step 1: Fill your pitcher with ice followed by the bottles of tonic, orange juice, and sparkling water.
- Step 2: Use a wooden spoon to thoroughly mix the ingredients.
- Step 3: Pour your fizzes into each champagne flute. It’s as easy as one, two, clink.
#4 Protein Banana Peanut Butter Kava Smoothie
For the ultimate post-gym or breakfast smoothie, look no further. Filled with healthy fats, protein, fresh fruit, and kava, this smoothie is everything your body needs to relax your muscles and focus on the day ahead. Not to mention, it’s off the charts in deliciousness.
Before you begin, gather the following ingredients from around the kitchen:
- 1 serving (half a bottle) of feel free® tonic
- A scoop of your favorite vanilla or chocolate protein powder
- One frozen banana, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- Two tablespoons of peanut butter
- One cup of coconut milk
- Half a cup of coconut water
- A blender
Then, follow these directions:
- Step 1: Place your frozen banana in the blender.
- Step 2: Pour half a bottle of tonic and the remaining ingredients into the blender.
- Step 3: Blend until smooth. Transfer the smoothie to a large glass or tumbler, and enjoy!
#5 Kava Tea
Any day is the perfect day to grab a book, cozy up in your favorite chair, and sip on a cup of soothing hot kava tea. But before you settle in, be sure to grab these ingredients:
- 1 serving (half a bottle) of feel free® tonic
- One tablespoon honey
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Two cups water
- Saucepan
- Mug
Making the ultimate calming tea is easy with these simple steps:
- Step 1: Pour the water into the saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Step 2: Turn down the burner to a simmer and add the ginger, cinnamon, honey, and half a bottle of the tonic.
- Step 3: Stir all ingredients together until combined.
- Step 4: Turn off the burner and let the mixture seep for five to ten minutes.
- Step 5: Pour the tea into your mug, find your comfy spot, and relax.
Tips for Making Kava Taste Better
If you don’t have time to craft a kava drink recipe, there are several other ways you can improve the taste of kava in a pinch. Try one of these handy tips to give your kava a tasty kick:
- Mix it with flavored liquids: Mix your kava with some of your favorite juices or liquids, like apple or orange juice, hot tea, or coconut water to help mask the earthy taste.
- Add sweeteners: To counteract the bitter taste, try adding a sweetener to your feel free® tonic. From agave syrup or honey to classic granulated sweeteners like brown or white sugar, you can’t go wrong.
- Be creative with spices: For an aromatic and warm taste, add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or allspice.
- Use coconut milk: In addition to spices, mixing in a dash of coconut milk will give your kava a creamy consistency that’ll have you debating whether to go back in for seconds.
- Cleanse your palate afterward: When you’ve finished your kava drink, minty gum, dark chocolate, or fresh fruit can help cleanse your palate and remove any remaining bitter taste left over from the kava.
- Opt for a capsule: Kava tonics and powders aren’t your only option. If you’d rather skip the taste altogether, try kava capsules. They produce the same effects while omitting the earthy flavor.
Choose a Kava You Can Trust with Botanic Tonics
Premium kava recipes start with the use of premium ingredients. At Botanic Tonics, our products are meticulously crafted with high-quality natural ingredients, such as kava root, ensuring that you’re receiving only the finest ingredients and effects you can wholeheartedly trust.
Whether you’re seeking a convenient way to enjoy kava or want to remove the uncertainty surrounding the ideal dosage, our products offer a hassle-free way to incorporate kava into your favorite recipes or conveniently carry it with you wherever you go.
With Botanic Tonics, you can elevate your social experiences without the fear of a hangover or stay sharp and focused without the risk of an energy crash. Give our products a try, and discover a whole new world of kava enjoyment.
Sources:
- Mount Sinai. Kava Kava. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/kava-kava#
- NIH. Exposure Data. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK350450/
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation. What Is Kava? https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/kava/#
- Better Health. Kava. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/kava
- NIH. Anxiety and Complementary Health Approaches: What the Science Says. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/anxiety-and-complementary-health-approaches-science
- Science Direct. The impact of traditional kava (Piper methysticum) use on cognition: Implications for driver fitness. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874122001143