The first thing you may notice about kava is its earthy, peppery taste. Then comes a tingle on your tongue. The rest can be much less obvious, especially on your first evening.
I liked kava long before I found a way of serving it that my friends enjoyed. Traditional shells were a lot to ask of people who already disliked the taste. That was part of why my family started making a bottled version. If you're new to the ingredient itself, our guide to kava drinks explains the different formats.
What does kava feel like?
Drinkers often describe a calm, easy relaxation and a clear-headed, social feeling. You might notice conversation comes more easily, or simply prefer to sit and enjoy the evening. Some people notice very little.
A tongue tingle is common, but it isn't a quality test or a reason to pour more. Kava can still make you drowsy and affect your reactions. Don't drive after drinking it.
Give the first pour time
People often begin to notice kava within 15 to 30 minutes, with effects lasting a couple of hours. The product, serving, food and your own response can change that timing. A minute-by-minute schedule would suggest more precision than we can promise.
Choose an evening when you can stay put. Don't make your first serving the last thing you drink before you need to leave.
Measure the serving on the label
For Kava Moon, one serving is 1.5 oz, with 300 mg of kavalactones stated on the label. Use a jigger or measuring cup. A large cocktail glass can hold much more than one serving without looking full.
Wait at least an hour before considering a second serving, and stop at two in an evening. These are Kava Moon's directions. Another product may have a different concentration and serving size.
Make the drink easy to enjoy
Try it chilled. Signature Citrus contains orange juice; Pure Canvas has no orange juice and works well with mixers. Ginger beer, pineapple juice and sparkling water are starting points in our mocktail recipes. Check that the mixer is alcohol-free.
Keep water nearby and choose a comfortable place to sit. If you're with friends, say what you're serving before pouring. A kava mocktail contains an active botanical, even when it looks like an ordinary juice drink.
Food can change absorption. A study of a standardized kava extract found lower absorption with food. That does not make fasting a requirement or increasing the serving a good response to a subtle evening.
If you don't feel much
Some drinkers report noticing more on later occasions. They often call this "reverse tolerance," but controlled human research has not established that explanation.
You don't need to keep drinking until something happens. Check the serving and the product, and leave any further experiment for another evening. Our reverse tolerance guide separates the reports from what studies actually measured.
Read the precautions before you pour
Rare serious liver injuries have been associated with kava products. Noble root and lab testing do not remove every risk. Our safety FAQ and the NCCIH overview explain more.
Questions before your first drink
Will it taste like alcohol?
No. Kava has its own earthy, sometimes peppery taste. Orange juice softens that taste in Signature Citrus, but you can still taste the kava.
Can I have plans the next morning?
Don't assume an alcohol-free drink guarantees how you'll feel the next day. Pay attention to your response and avoid anything requiring alertness if you feel drowsy or unwell.
Which bottle should I start with?
Signature Citrus is our best-selling flavor. Pure Canvas leaves out the orange juice if you'd rather choose your own mixer. Both need measuring.
Keep the first evening simple
One measured pour and enough time to notice how you feel are a useful start. You don't need a complicated routine, and you don't need to match someone else's experience.
Pedro Luz, Co-Founder of Kava MoonPedro runs Kava Moon with his family in Orlando, Florida. The family makes its drinks with noble kava and publishes its independent laboratory reports.
