The best alcohol alternative - kava

TL;DR: Kava is a Pacific Island root, kneaded in cold water to pull out its kavalactones, and it's been shared in coconut shells for centuries. It comes on fast, like a drink does, and loosens people up socially, but you stay clear-headed and in control. That's why kava bars are opening all over the country, and why we think it's the best alternative to a night of beer, wine or cocktails.

We run a kava bar, so we're biased. But we've also watched hundreds of people walk in skeptical, order a shell, and walk out saying "why didn't anyone tell me about this sooner." So here's the case for kava as an alcohol alternative, from people who pour it every night.

What kava actually is

Kava has been used for centuries across the Pacific Islands for mood, relaxation and general wellness. The part people use is the root. Traditionally, the ground root is kneaded and worked in cold water to pull out its active compounds, the kavalactones. What you end up with is basically a cold-pressed root tea.

It's not pretty. It's muddy brown and it tastes earthy and peppery. Most first-timers make a face. By the second shell, most of them are smiling anyway.

How it's traditionally served

In the islands, kava is served in half coconut shells and passed around at social gatherings and ceremonies. It's a group thing. Everybody drinks from the same bowl.

That tradition made the trip to kava bars too. When a round goes out, everyone at the bar will often take their shell at the same time and yell "Bula!" It's the Fijian cheers, and it roughly means "life." It sounds corny until you do it with a room full of strangers. Then it's one of the best parts of the night.

Why kava bars are popping up everywhere

This old tradition is spreading across the US fast. Kava bars are opening in states all over the country, and Florida has a huge number of them. People want a place to go at night that isn't built around booze.

We see it every week at our bar. The crowd is mixed. People who quit drinking. People who just want to cut back. People who have to be up at 6 for work. People who tried everything else and hated how they felt the next morning. They all want the same thing: to hang out, unwind, and not wreck tomorrow.

How it compares to alcohol

Kava kicks in quickly, on a similar timeline to a drink. Your body processes it fast, and it doesn't take a huge amount to feel it.

The feel has some things in common with alcohol too. Kava works like a social lubricant. People loosen up, conversation flows easier, and it can recharge your social battery after a long day.

The difference is what's missing. You don't get sloppy. You don't lose control, make bad decisions or end up disoriented. You stay relaxed and at ease while still being yourself. And you wake up the next morning feeling normal.

A lot of our regulars say that last part is what sold them. Saturday morning actually exists again.

Tips if you're making the switch

Start with one or two shells and give it 20 minutes before ordering more. Kava is sneaky that way. Drink it on a lighter stomach for a stronger feel, or after food if you want it gentler.

Don't mix it with alcohol. The whole point is to swap one for the other, and combining them is hard on your body. Drink water alongside it, and stick with noble kava from a source you trust.

Common questions

Does kava taste good?
Honestly, not really at first. It's earthy and a little peppery. Most bars offer a chaser, and most people get used to it fast.

How fast does kava work?
Fairly quickly, on a similar timeline to an alcoholic drink.

What does "Bula" mean?
It's the Fijian cheers people shout before drinking a shell together. It roughly means "life."

From how it's made, to how fast it works, to how you feel afterward, kava is the go-to swap for beer, wine, mixed drinks and spirits. Come have a shell with us sometime. Bula.