It's a root, not a spirit.
Kava is made from the root of Piper methysticum, a leafy plant in the pepper family that grows across the South Pacific. There's no alcohol in it.
A field guide to alcohol-free evenings
Kava,
in plain English.
What kava is, what it tastes like, how to read a label — and the brand we'd hand to a first-timer.
01The basics
Kava in sixty seconds
Before the can, there's the root. Here's the short version.
It comes with ceremony.
In Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa, kava has been mixed with water and shared for generations — at welcomes, weddings and village gatherings, often from a coconut-shell cup.
Now it comes ready to go.
Seltzers, drink mixes, shots and gummies put a measured amount of kava extract into everyday formats, minus the mixing bowl and the strainer cloth.
02Formats
Pour, stir, sip or chew?
Kava now comes in four everyday formats. Which one fits depends less on the kava and more on the moment.
Pour
Seltzer · 12 fl oz can
For the table: dinner, a slow evening, anywhere you'd open a can.
Check the kava extract and kavalactones per can. They vary by brand.
Our seltzer pickStir
Drink mix · powder
For the bag: travel, the gym, anywhere there's cold water.
Check the kava per packet and how much water the label calls for.
Our drink mix pickSip
Shot · about 2 fl oz
For a small pour when a whole can is more than you want.
Shots are concentrated, some bottles hold two servings, and some blend in other botanicals.
Our shot pickChew
Gummy · single pieces
For no mixing and no can: one measured piece at a time.
Check how much kava one gummy holds, and keep the jar away from kids.
Our gummy pick03Label guide
How to read a kava label
Four lines do most of the work, whether the label is on a can, a packet, a bottle or a jar.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size1 Can (12 fl oz)
Servings Per Container13
Amount Per Serving
Calories—
Kava Root Extract— mg1
providing Kavalactones— mg2
Other ingredients: carbonated water, natural flavors, citric acid, sweetener… Warning: For adults only. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Consult a doctor before use if you take medication…4
Illustration only — not a real product label.
- 1
Kava extract
How much kava root extract is in one serving, in milligrams.
- 2
Kavalactones
The naturally occurring compounds kava is known for, shown in mg or as a percentage of the extract. 500 mg of extract at 30% works out to 150 mg.
- 3
Serving size
Not every package is one serving. A 2 oz shot can hold two, and a jar of gummies holds dozens of pieces.
- 4
Ingredients and warnings
Some products blend kava with other botanicals, and the warning box says who should skip it. Read both before your first serving.
04Our pick
The brand we'd hand a first-timer
Kava by Mitra9 is the kava line from Mitra9, a beverage company in Fort Myers, Florida. It comes in all four formats, and every label states the kava content in plain numbers.
(opens in a new tab)
Seltzer · 12 fl oz can
Kava Seltzer
Cold, lightly sparkling and fruit-forward, with kava's earthy note underneath.
- Per can
- 500 mg kava extract (30% kavalactones)
- Calories
- 15 per can, with 2 g sugar
- Sweetened with
- Cane sugar and stevia
- Lemonade
- Orange Dreamsicle
- Paradise Lychee
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Variety pack
(opens in a new tab)
Drink mix
Kava Drink Mix
Powdered kava extract in single-serve packets. Stir one into cold water, and keep a few in your bag.
- Per packet
- 333 mg kava extract (30% kavalactones)
- Calories
- 5 per packet
- Sweetened with
- Stevia and sucralose
- Island Punch
- Lemonade
- Orange Dreamsicle
- Strawberry Watermelon
- Variety pack
(opens in a new tab)
Shot
Kava Shots
A 2 fl oz bottle for when you'd rather not finish a whole can. One serving is half the bottle.
- Per serving
- 300 mg kava extract (30% kavalactones)
- Servings
- 2 per bottle
- Calories
- 5 per serving
- Cool Breeze (mint)
- Lavender Sunrise (citrus & floral)
(opens in a new tab)
Gummy
Kava Gummies
Agar-based gummies, one measured piece at a time, with nothing to mix or carry but the jar.
- Per gummy
- 555 mg kava extract (9%, about 50 mg kavalactones)
- Per jar
- 30 gummies
- Calories
- 10 per gummy
- Mango Sunset (mango)
- Pink Wave (pink lemonade)
Why we picked it
- Every product lists its kava content in plain numbers.
- Fruit-forward flavors soften kava's earthy edge.
- Four formats, so you can match kava to the moment.
Worth knowing
- The earthy, peppery kava note still comes through in the drinks.
- Shots are concentrated: one bottle is two servings.
- Not for everyone. Read the safety notes below first.
Links open Mitra9's official store in a new tab. Price, stock and shipping are set by the seller. Product details checked against Mitra9's labels in October 2026.
05Make it a ritual
How to enjoy it
No equipment needed. A few small habits make any format feel like a proper drink.
- 01
Start cold
Chill a can for a few hours, or stir a packet into cold water. Kava tastes best cold.
- 02
Use a glass
Pour it over ice with a wedge of lime or a sprig of mint. It turns a can into a moment.
- 03
Sip, don't rush
It's a drink for lingering — over dinner, a record, or a long phone call.
- 04
Follow the label
One serving at a time (a shot bottle holds two), and keep kava separate from alcohol.
06Before you try it
A few honest notes
Kava isn't right for everyone. Please read these before your first serving.
For adults 21 and over. Mitra9 only sells to buyers 21 and older.
Mitra9 recommends no more than one serving a day. Follow the serving size on the label.
Don't combine kava with alcohol or with medications that cause drowsiness.
Check with a doctor first if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have liver concerns, or take prescription medication.
Don't drive or operate machinery after having kava.
Gummies look like candy. Store them out of reach of children and pets.
The U.S. FDA has advised that kava-containing dietary supplements may be associated with rare but severe liver injury. Stop and see a doctor if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or unusual tiredness.
07FAQ
Questions people ask
Does kava contain alcohol?
No. Kava is a plant root, not a fermented or distilled drink, and Kava by Mitra9 products are non-alcoholic.
Is kava legal in the US?
Kava isn't a controlled substance under U.S. federal law, and it's widely sold as a beverage and dietary supplement. If you're unsure about rules where you live, check before you buy.
What does kava taste like?
Earthy and a little peppery. Some people notice a light tingle on the tongue, which is typical of kava. Flavored seltzers and gummies balance it out with fruit.
How do I use a kava drink mix?
Tear open one packet, stir it into cold water and drink it like any flavored drink. The label tells you how much water to use.
Are kava gummies different from kava drinks?
Mostly in format. A gummy is a single measured piece with nothing to mix. Either way, follow the serving size on the label.
How is a seltzer different from a kava bar?
Kava bars usually serve kava prepared from ground root, by the shell. A seltzer uses a measured extract in a sealed can, so the amount per serving is printed on the label.
Can I have kava with alcohol?
We wouldn't. Keep kava and alcohol separate. Mitra9's own product pages say the same.
Where can I buy Kava by Mitra9?
Directly from Mitra9's online store. See the kava lineup (opens in a new tab)
Curious? Start with a flavor you already like.
Seltzers, drink mixes, shots and gummies, in flavors from Lemonade to Mango Sunset. Pick the one that sounds most like something you'd already order.
Browse Kava by Mitra9 (opens in a new tab)Opens Mitra9's official store in a new tab.