From the white sandy beaches of the Fijian islands to kava bars scattered across the U.S., kava is sought after and enjoyed for its all-natural ways to relax the mind and body. From inducing feelings of contentment and euphoria to increasing sociability and easing anxiety, many people love kava’s mood boosting qualities.
Few, however, are in love with kava’s taste.
Some describe it as “bitter” or “earthy,” and many say the taste of kava is a tricky barrier to navigate to enjoy the calming side effects of kava. But did you know there are many tips and tricks for how to make kava taste better? From delicious recipes to flavorful kava-infused beverages, there’s no end to the ways you can enjoy all the goodness of kava without the polarizing taste. Let’s dive into the depths of kava and explore ways you can level up your kava’s flavor game.
What is Kava?
Kava, known as Piper Methysticum, is a plant grown in the South Pacific, renowed for its relaxing effects when consumed. When the roots of the kava plant are ground up and consumed, the natural active ingredients in kava—kavalactones—interact with your brain’s limbic system to create a range of all natural calming effects. Here are just a few of the soothing effects you can experience from consuming kava:
- Eased anxiety
- Calmed mind
- Boosted sociability
- Lifted Mood
- Soothed feelings linked to depression
- Gentle sleepiness, perfect for drifting off to sleep
- Enhanced workout recovery
- Relaxed muscles
- And so much more!
Over the past few decades, kava has spread from the South Pacific to the U.S., finding a welcoming audience among people seeking natural relaxation drinks and alcohol alternatives. Today, you’ll find vibrant kava bars from Florida to California serving traditional kava tea alongside modern twists like kava smoothies and seltzers.
While some newcomers compare kava to alcohol because it’s consumed socially, kava contains no alcohol and works in a completely different way. Others liken it to kratom, but kava and kratom are not the same—kava has a long history of safe, ceremonial use, while kratom can carry different risks. In short, kava stands on its own as a time-tested, plant-based way to unwind without intoxication, addiction, or hangovers.
What Does Kava Taste Like?
For those trying kava for the first time, you might think a traditionally prepared cup of kava tastes, well, like dirt. This is completely normal reaction! At the end of the day, a kava beverage is just ground up kava root. Residents of the Pacific islands have been drinking this root drink for thousands of years and have become accustomed to kava’s signature taste. The word “kava” itself stems from the Tongan language and means bitter. Those who regularly drink kava describe its taste as everything from earthy or bitter to spicy or muddy water.
Many kava drinkers get used to the taste over time. However, if you want the relaxing benefits of kava without the polarizing taste, don’t worry! There are loads of options for how to make kava taste better.
How to Make Kava Taste Better
1. Try Fun Kava Recipes
One way to make drinking kava more palatable is by mixing it with other drinks and flavorings to create your own unique beverage or kava “mocktail” equivalent. Mixing kava with other nonalcoholic beverages like juices, teas, purées, and flavors can mask kava’s bitterness and create a more flavorful beverage. One of the easiest ways to improve drinking kava is to mix it with other nonalcoholic beverages or flavors to create your own kava “mocktail.” Mixing kava with juices, teas purees, and more can help mask bitterness, add creaminess, or layer on familiar flavors. Here are a few of our top recommendations of mix-ins to try with your next kava concoction.
- Milk: The best liquid to draw out kavalactones contains fat—cow’s milk, goat’s milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. Milk also helps mask kava’s flavor.
- Fruit Juice: Add fruit juice to balance bitterness. One of our favorite combos is kava and orange juice for its sweet-tart zing.
- Holiday Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice add a warming kick to your kava tea drink. They complement kava’s earthy flavor and can even make it seem more potent.
- Chocolate Syrup and Peppermint: Kava’s peppery flavor pairs surprisingly well with peppermint. Add chocolate syrup for a dessert-like drink that transforms kava into a treat.
Test a Kalm with Kava Recipe
Below are some of our favorite kava drink recipes to try out and use for inspiration in your own kava drink experiments. Remember, there is no right or wrong way to drink kava so long as you enjoy the taste and relish the peace and relaxation it delivers.
- Kava Arnold Palmer – This kava recipe is a customer favorite. It offers a twist on a classic, summer drink, the Arnold Palmer, which is a refreshing mix of iced tea and lemonade. With the addition of micronized instant kava, this drink provides relaxation and refreshment on a sunny afternoon.
- Coconut Hot Chocolate Kava – You’ll adore the comfort and calm that comes from a cup of our Coconut Kava Hot Chocolate. Use coconut milk and coconut water to make a creamier kava tea, and add a few spoons of chocolate syrup for sweetness.
- Creamy Pumpkin Spice Kava Chai – This autumnal kava chai recipe is cozy, spiced, and perfect for crisp fall days and nights. The classic fall spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves will transform your kava tea into your new fall drink of choice.
- Guava Kava Colada – This recipe brings you a taste of the Pacific Islands while delivering the relaxation kava is known for. Utilizing Kalm with Kava’s guava concentrate combined with coconut milk, this recipe quickly creates a creamy,, tropical fruit-flavored nonalcoholic cocktail.
2. Add Micronized Kava to a Beloved Beverage
Micronized kava is perfect for those looking for an easy-to-prepare, milder-tasting kava drink. The kava root has been sifted into fine particles, removing coarse fibers and eliminating the need for steeping or straining. Just mix 2–4 teaspoons into your favorite non-alcoholic beverage to balance the earthy taste with a flavor you enjoy. Think smoothies, iced tea, or hot cocoa. Micronized kava is also a go-to for traveling—just stir, sip, and relax.
Our micronized kava is available in the following six varieties.
If you want to see which kava variety fits your needs best, try our kava selection tool.
3. Try a Kava Concentrate
Kava concentrate is a flavored cordial made with kava extract. Our concentrates are specially formulated to make kava taste good, using natural flavors, stevia or cane sugar, and our proprietary alcohol-free kava extract. We offer three delicious flavors: Guava, Kavarita (lemon-lime), and Iced Tea. Simply dilute 1 ounce of concentrate with 5 ounces of water for a quick and tasty kava drink. Don’t forget our travel-size Kalm with Kava Concentrate — two TSA-approved bottles perfect for flights or road trips.
4. Kava Chasers
All the previous suggestions do alter the “realness” of kava and its unique taste, so some people prefer chasers to avoid the bitter and unpleasant taste of kava without affecting its traditional preparation process. Kava chasers are beverages or snacks that can be consumed between quick servings of kava to cleanse the palate. Here are some of our top kava chaser recommendations:
- Slices of Fruit – Any variety of fresh fruit will work, including oranges, pears, and apples or mangoes, pineapple, and papaya if you want to keep with kava’s island vibe. The advantage of taking a bite of an apple over drinking fruit juices is that it may stimulate digestion and the absorption of kava’s active ingredients. So you don’t just cleanse your palate; you also improve your overall experience.
- Nuts – The salty taste of mixed nuts helps offset the often bitter taste of kava.
- Strong Herbal Teas – Peppermint or ginger teas can ease digestion and accelerate the effects of kava, thanks to the warmth of herbal teas.
- Sparkling Water – Carbonation helps overwhelm taste buds in a refreshing, zero-calorie beverage.
5. Add Kava Extract to Your Favorite Nonalcoholic Beverage
If you’re looking for the most versatile and concentrated way to enjoy kava, our NobleNano Kava Extract Dropper is your new best friend. This ultra-potent extract takes premium noble kava and delivers it in a smooth, easy-to-use liquid form.
- Instant Calm, Zero Prep: Add a few drops to water, tea, juice, or smoothies for a fast, flavorful kava drink with no straining or kneading.
- Consistent Kava Dosage: Each dropper gives you a reliable amount of kavalactones, making it easy to measure your ideal serving size.
- Better Taste: Because it’s concentrated, you can blend it into your favorite beverages, masking the earthy taste while still enjoying full kava benefits.
6. Sip a Kava Seltzer
Light, bubbly, and refreshingly simple—our kava seltzers are the ultimate natural relaxation drink for those seeking a ready-to-go sense of calm. Combining sparkling water with premium noble kava extract, each can delivers smooth kavalactones in crisp, refreshing flavors. Our seltzers are available in Cola, Tropical, and Fuji Apple flavors, masking the earthy taste of kava and making drinking kava a treat.
7. Chew Your Kava in a Yummy Gummy
Kava gummies are flavorful, portable bites that make it easier than ever to enjoy kava without the earthy taste. Each gummy is infused with premium noble kava, delivering the same high-quality kavalactones found in our traditional products—only in a chewable, citrus mint form.
8. Mix Instant Kava into Your Drink
Instant kava is a classic go-to for convenience lovers. It’s processed to dissolve quickly — no straining, no kneading, no waiting. Just stir into water, juice, or a smoothie for a smoother kava tea that’s ready in seconds.
Because instant kava skips the traditional prep, it also has a lighter texture and milder taste, making it perfect for beginners easing into drinking kava. It’s also incredibly travel-friendly — keep a small pouch in your bag for natural stress relief on the go.
If you’re unsure which kava type fits you best, start with our Sample Packs or explore our blog on how to buy the best kava for you.
We Put the Fun and Flavor in Kava
Dealing with kava’s earthy, bitter taste can be a challenge, but with these tips you’ll enjoy every sip. Whether you’re experimenting with new recipes or simplifying your routine with micronized kava, concentrates, or kava seltzers, Kalm with Kava has you covered.
Ready to taste and see what Kalm with Kava’s products can do for your relaxation experience? Shop now and buy kava online to bring island calm to your doorstep.
