The easiest way to drink kava is cold, straight from a can: a kava seltzer or a small kava tonic, no prep required. The traditional way is to knead ground kava root in cool water, strain it, and share it. Whichever you choose, start low, go slow, wait before having more, and never mix kava with alcohol.
In This Guide
Kava has been shared across the Pacific Islands for centuries, but you no longer need a coconut shell and a strainer bag to try it. Here is how each style of kava drink works, how our ready-to-drink options compare, and how to enjoy kava responsibly. New to kava altogether? Read what kava is.
Three Ways to Drink Kava
- Traditional kava: ground root mixed with water and strained. The most authentic taste and ritual, with a few minutes of prep.
- Kava seltzers: sparkling, flavored, 16oz cans made with kava extract. Open, pour over ice or sip from the can.
- Kava tonics: small 2 oz cans with a bold flavor. Ours blend kava with kratom, so they are 21+.
How to Make Kava the Traditional Way
Traditional kava is simple, but it takes a little hands-on time. Follow the directions that come with your kava, since varieties and grinds differ. The basic method looks like this:
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Choose a kava you trust
Look for kava made from the root of noble varieties, with a clear label and a stated origin.
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Add it to a strainer bag
Place the ground root in a fine cloth strainer bag set inside a bowl of cool or room-temperature water.
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Knead and squeeze
Knead the bag in the water for several minutes until the liquid turns cloudy and tan, then wring it out.
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Serve and share
Pour into small cups, sip, and keep a slice of fresh fruit nearby as a chaser. In Fiji, everyone claps and says "bula" first.
Ready-to-Drink Kava Compared
If you want kava without the prep, ready-to-drink cans are the simplest route. Here is how the Korthal's Collection kava drinks we carry compare, using only what is printed on each product's label.
| Drink | Style | Size | Flavor | On the Label | Kratom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 502 Kava Seltzer Paloma | Seltzer | 16oz can | Grapefruit citrus | 100mg kava; alcohol-free | No |
| No. 505 Kava Seltzer Hops + Orange | Seltzer | 16oz can | Mild hops and orange | 150mg kavalactones, 300mg ashwagandha; non-alcoholic, vegan, low-calorie | No |
| No. 520 Kratom Kava Seltzer Gooseberry | Seltzer (limited edition) | 16oz can | Sweet gooseberry | 200mg kavalactones, 40mg mitragynine; non-alcoholic, vegan, low-calorie | Yes, 21+ |
| No. 530 Mixed Green Kratom & Kava Tonic | Tonic | 2 oz can | Tropical coconut | Green kratom strain blend, 65mg mitragynine alkaloids, kava root extract; shake well | Yes, 21+ |
| No. 560 Mixed Red Kratom & Kava Tonic | Tonic | 2 oz can | Tropical coconut | Red kratom strain blend, 65mg mitragynine alkaloids, kava root extract; shake well | Yes, 21+ |
Seltzers vs. Tonics
Seltzers are made for sipping. A 16oz sparkling can feels familiar in your hand at a party or a dinner, and the flavor carries most of the experience. If you want kava with no kratom, the kava-only seltzers (No. 502 and No. 505) are the place to start.
Tonics are small 2 oz cans with a rich, tropical coconut flavor. Ours pair kava with kratom, so they are for adults 21+ who already know they want both. Shake them well before opening. Curious how the two plants compare? See our kratom vs. kava guide.
So what is the best kava drink? The one that fits your taste and your plans. Many first-timers choose a kava-only seltzer in a flavor they already like.
What Kava Drinks Taste Like
Traditional kava is earthy, peppery and a little bitter, and it often leaves a light tingle on your lips and tongue. Ready-to-drink kava is much easier going. The Paloma seltzer leans bright grapefruit, Hops + Orange is refreshing, with mild hops and orange, and Gooseberry is sweet and fruity. The tonics are creamy and tropical, closer to a small coconut-pineapple sip.
Serve seltzers cold. Many people like them over ice with a citrus wedge, or poured into a nice glass so the moment feels like a drink, not a chore.
When People Reach for Kava
Kava has always been a social drink, and that is still how most people use it. Common moments include:
- After work: a cold can to mark the end of the day, in place of a beer or glass of wine.
- Social nights: game night, dinner with friends, or a party where you want something in your hand that is not alcohol.
- Drinking-less goals: sober-curious months, a Dry January reset, or simply cutting back.
For more on swapping a drink for kava, read our guide to kava as an alcohol alternative, or browse more alcohol-free drinks.
Start Low, Go Slow
Start low, go slow. Kava affects everyone differently, and canned drinks list different amounts on their labels, so read the label before you open one. Sip slowly and give it time. Wait at least 30 minutes before deciding whether to have more. Do not drive until you know how kava affects you.
Do not combine kava with alcohol, and do not add kava drinks to cocktails. Enjoy kava on its own. Talk with your doctor before trying kava if you are pregnant or nursing, take prescription medication, or have a liver condition. Learn more in our guide to kava safety.
Where to Find Kava Drinks
You can shop our full kava collection online, or find a CBD Kratom store near you. Selection varies by location, so call ahead to check availability.
Shop This Guide
Kava-only seltzers come first for anyone who wants kava with no kratom. The blends below contain kratom and are clearly labeled.
16oz cans, bright grapefruit Paloma flavor, 100mg of kava per can. Alcohol-free, no kratom.
16oz cans, mild hops and orange flavor, 150mg kavalactones and 300mg ashwagandha per can. Non-alcoholic, no kratom.
Limited edition. 16oz can, sweet gooseberry flavor, 200mg kavalactones and 40mg mitragynine.
Kava with a blend of green kratom strains. 2 oz can, tropical coconut flavor, 65mg mitragynine alkaloids. Shake well.
Kava with a blend of red kratom strains. 2 oz can, tropical coconut flavor, 65mg mitragynine alkaloids. Shake well.
Browse every option in our kava collection, or see the full lineup on our shop by category page. Prices and availability can vary by store and online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to drink kava?
It depends on what you want. A cold kava seltzer is the easiest, with no prep and a familiar sparkling taste. Traditional kava, made by kneading ground root in water, offers the most authentic flavor and ritual.
How do you make kava at home?
Place ground kava root in a fine cloth strainer bag, knead it in a bowl of cool water for several minutes until the water turns cloudy, then wring out the bag and serve. Follow the directions that come with your kava.
Do kava seltzers contain alcohol?
No. The kava seltzers we carry are labeled non-alcoholic or alcohol-free. Do not mix them with alcohol.
What is a good kava drink for beginners?
Many first-timers choose a kava-only seltzer in a flavor they already enjoy, such as Paloma or Hops + Orange. Start low, go slow, and wait at least 30 minutes before deciding whether to have more.
What is the difference between a kava seltzer and a kava tonic?
Kava seltzers are sparkling 16oz cans made for sipping. Our kava tonics are 2 oz cans with a tropical coconut flavor, and they also contain kratom, so they are 21+.
Sources & References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Kava. NIH. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava
- World Health Organization. Assessment of the Risk of Hepatotoxicity with Kava Products. Geneva, 2007.
- Korthal's Collection product labels as listed on shopcbdkratom.com, October 2026.
