Kava is a non-alcoholic drink made from the root of a South Pacific plant, and a lot of people now reach for it when they want to unwind without drinking. It does not taste or feel like beer or wine, but many people describe feeling relaxed, social and clear-headed. The easiest way to try it is a ready-to-drink kava seltzer: start low, go slow, and never mix it with alcohol.
In This Guide
Why So Many People Are Drinking Less
If you have been ordering more club sodas lately, you are in good company. In 2025, Gallup reported that just 54% of US adults say they drink alcohol, the lowest share in the poll's history, which goes back to 1939.
People cut back for all kinds of reasons: better sleep routines, training goals, saving money, a Dry January that stuck, or simply wanting to remember the whole evening. "Sober-curious" is the name a lot of people use for this. It does not have to mean quitting forever. It means getting curious about how often you drink and what you might enjoy instead.
The tricky part is the ritual. Cracking a cold can after work or holding a drink at a party is a big part of why people drink in the first place. Kava drinks fill that spot for many people: something to sip, something to share, with no alcohol in the can.
What Kava Is, in One Paragraph
Kava comes from the root of Piper methysticum, a leafy shrub in the pepper family that grows on Pacific islands like Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga and Samoa. For centuries, islanders have ground the root, mixed it with water and shared it at ceremonies and gatherings, a bit like friends meeting up for a round. The compounds behind kava's effects are called kavalactones. Traditional kava tastes earthy and peppery and can leave a brief tingle on your lips and tongue, which is why many newcomers prefer flavored, ready-to-drink seltzers. For the full background, read our guide to what kava is.
What People Say Kava Feels Like
Everyone is different, and the same drink can feel different on a different day. With that said, here is how people commonly describe kava:
- Relaxed. Many people describe a loose, easygoing feeling, the "long exhale" at the end of a day.
- Social. Kava has always been a shared drink, and many people say it makes conversation feel easy.
- Clear-headed. People often say they feel mellow while still feeling like themselves.
- A little tingly. A short-lived numb or tingly feeling in the mouth is common with traditional kava and some kava drinks.
What kava is not: it is not a buzz in a can, and it does not taste like a margarita. Going in with an open mind helps. Kava can still affect how alert you are, so do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Kava vs Alcohol vs Hemp THC Drinks
Kava is one of several drinks people try when they cut back, along with CBD drinks to replace alcohol. Here is a simple side-by-side. For a deeper look, see kava vs alcohol vs THC drinks.
| Kava drinks | Alcohol | Hemp THC drinks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contains alcohol | No | Yes | No |
| Comes from | Root of the kava plant | Fermented grains, fruit or sugar | Cannabinoids from hemp |
| How people describe it | Relaxed, social, clear-headed | Familiar buzz that builds with each drink | Varies a lot by person and amount |
| Typical onset, as reported | Often within about 15 to 30 minutes | Often within minutes | Often 30 to 60 minutes, sometimes longer |
| Legal status (US) | Legal nationwide | Legal for adults 21+ | Varies by state, and rules are changing |
| Mix with alcohol? | No | Not applicable | No |
None of these is "the right one" for everybody. The point is to know what you are choosing and how it differs from what you are used to.
Ways to Try Kava
1. Kava-only seltzers (the easiest place to begin)
If you are new to kava or you are simply looking for something to sip instead of a beer, a kava-only seltzer is the friendliest first step. It is cold, carbonated and flavored, so it feels at home at a barbecue or a game night.
- No. 502 Kava Seltzer Paloma: an alcohol-free take on the classic Paloma with bright grapefruit flavor. Each 16 oz can has 100mg of kava added.
- No. 505 Kava Seltzer Hops + Orange: a mild hops and orange flavor that scratches the "cold one after work" itch. Each 16 oz can contains 150mg of kavalactones and 300mg of ashwagandha, and the label notes it is non-alcoholic, vegan, low-calorie and THC and CBD free.
2. Traditional kava
Kava powder mixed with water, or a visit to a kava bar, is the classic experience. It is earthier and more of an acquired taste. Our guide on how to drink kava walks through preparation, flavor and what to expect.
3. Kava and kratom blends (contain kratom, 21+)
CBD Kratom also carries drinks that blend kava with kratom. These are a different experience from kava alone, and they are for adults 21 and older where kratom is legal. Kratom is not legal in every state; for example, it has been illegal in Tennessee since July 1, 2026.
- No. 520 Kratom Kava Seltzer, Gooseberry (contains kratom): a sweet gooseberry seltzer. Each 16 oz can contains 200mg of kavalactones and 40mg of mitragynine.
- No. 530 Mixed Green and No. 560 Mixed Red Kratom & Kava Tonics (contain kratom): small 2 oz tonics with a tropical coconut flavor.
Curious how the two plants differ? Read kratom vs kava and our guide to kratom and kava together before you pick up a blend.
4. Kava for the occasion
Taking a month off? Our Dry January kava guide has a simple plan. Hosting this season? Our non-alcoholic holiday cocktails include alcohol-free kava mocktail ideas.
Start Low, Go Slow
Start low, go slow is the rule for every kava drink, whether it is your first or your fiftieth. Here is what that looks like in practice:
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Read the label first
Kava content differs a lot between products. Check how much kava or kavalactones each can or tonic contains before you open it.
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Go slow and give it time
Sip, do not chug. Wait at least 30 minutes before having more, so you know how it is affecting you.
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Pick a relaxed setting the first time
Try kava at home or with friends, not before a drive or a busy workday.
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Check with your doctor if needed
Talk to a doctor before trying kava if you are pregnant or nursing, have liver concerns, or take any medications.
Never Mix Kava With Alcohol
Do not combine kava with alcohol, and do not add kava to cocktails. Both affect how you feel and how alert you are, and they are not meant to be stacked. The same goes for kava and kratom blends.
A note on safety: in 2002 the FDA issued a consumer advisory about rare reports of liver injury in people using kava supplements. Kava remains legal and widely sold, and we take that history seriously. Our guide is kava safe? covers what is known and who should skip it.
Where to Find Kava
You can shop our full kava collection online. You can also find a CBD Kratom store near you. Selection varies by location, so call ahead to check what is on the shelf. Our kava near me guide has more tips for finding kava locally.
Shop This Guide
No. 502 Kava Seltzer Paloma, 4-Pack
Bright grapefruit, alcohol-free, made for social moments. 100mg of kava added per 16 oz can. $38.00
Shop the 4-pack
No. 505 Kava Seltzer Hops + Orange, 4-Pack
Mild hops and orange, non-alcoholic and THC and CBD free. 150mg of kavalactones and 300mg of ashwagandha per 16 oz can. $38.00
Shop the 4-pack
Want to see everything? Browse the kava collection or shop by category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kava a good alcohol alternative?
For many people, yes. Kava drinks contain no alcohol, they fit naturally into social settings, and many people describe feeling relaxed, social and clear-headed. Kava tastes and feels different from alcohol, so go in with an open mind and start low, go slow.
Does kava get you drunk?
No. Kava is not alcohol and does not make you drunk the way alcohol does. People usually describe a relaxed, easygoing feeling instead. Kava can still affect alertness, so do not drive until you know how it affects you.
Can you drink kava and alcohol together?
No. Do not combine kava with alcohol or add kava to cocktails. Choose kava instead of alcohol, not alongside it. The same applies to kava and kratom blends.
How long does kava take to kick in?
Many people report noticing kava drinks within about 15 to 30 minutes, though it varies from person to person. Start low, go slow, and wait at least 30 minutes before having more.
Where can I buy kava drinks?
You can shop kava seltzers and tonics online in the CBD Kratom kava collection, or visit a CBD Kratom store. Selection varies by location, so call ahead to check availability.
Sources & References
- Gallup. Annual Consumption Habits poll on US drinking rates, August 2025 (54% of US adults say they drink alcohol).
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Kava. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/kava
- US Food and Drug Administration. Consumer advisory: kava-containing dietary supplements may be associated with severe liver injury, March 2002.
- World Health Organization. Assessment of the risk of hepatotoxicity with kava products, 2007.
- Product label facts from CBD Kratom product listings for No. 502, No. 505, No. 520, No. 530 and No. 560, October 2026.
