Comfortably Numb Again

Wotcha!

It’s been over two years since I wrote about Kava Haven. To this day, this spirit still blows me away and remains a staple on my bar cart.

So I thought it was time to shine a spotlight on this very special non-alcoholic spirit once again.

If you haven’t tried Kava Haven—or explored other kava brands—maybe now’s the perfect time to give them a whirl.

Cheers,

Myles

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

SPIRIT
Kava Haven

Read time: 3 minutes 44 seconds

From our sponsor: The Zero Proof

If you're looking for something new (and non-alcoholic) this summer ... for your picnics, poolside BBQs or World Cup viewing ... check out The Zero Proof's Summer Collection.

Full of sparkling rosés, functional favorites and crisp whites.

10% discount applied at checkout.

Thank you for supporting our sponsors who in turn support this newsletter.

My NAN, who researches all the new non-alcoholic drink launches and brings them to you each week, is on her summer break.

She’ll be back on August 22.

SPIRIT

Originally posted on June 15, 2024

ModSub thoughts: As I dig deeper into nonalcoholic spirits, I’m becoming more fascinated by the non-traditional spirits coming to market. One of them is Kava Haven, launched in the U.S. at the beginning of April this year. Until a few months ago, I had never heard of Kava root, despite half my country’s Royal Family being photographed guzzling the stuff. So I was pretty much a blank slate as I opened the bottle, took my first sip, and started my research. I have to say, I'm feeling pretty excited about this discovery.

So what is Kava? Part of South Pacific culture for over 3,000 years, Kava is a traditional beverage made from the roots of the Piper Methysticum plant. Its continued appeal through the centuries has been its ability to promote calmness, relaxation, reduce anxiety and benefit sleep. As word has gotten out about Kava, it is also becoming a popular alternative to alcohol.

The founders of Kava Haven learned of the drink after successfully completing a 75-day cleanse. With no desire to go back to alcohol, it quickly became apparent they needed an alternative for dealing with everyday stress and a lubricant for relaxing in social settings. As they searched for options, a friend from Fiji introduced them to his country’s traditional drink, and not long after, the idea for a new spirit was born.

Of all the drinks I have tasted on this non-alcoholic journey, Kava Haven perhaps takes the prize for the “like nothing I have ever tasted before” award. Sipped neat, it’s vaguely reminiscent of a lemon liqueur in the vein of limoncello. However, any dreams of sitting at a Ligurian bar overlooking the Mediterranean swiftly dissipate as a healthy dose of throat-tickling ginger juice kicks in and your tastebuds are thrown into a heavenly confused state. If this weren’t enough to be cheering about, the milky liquid then tingles your mouth and tongue to a point of mild numbness. Think local anesthetic wearing off after a dentist visit, and you get the picture.

continued below

Advertisment

The DWB Summit is bringing together founders, investors, and retailers together at The Maze NYC to decode the future of alcohol-free and functional beverage brand-building. Come for raw insights on distribution and consumer trends—stay for the genuine, game-changing connections.

100 Seats. No Crowds. Real Connection.

Tickets are extremely limited.

Thank you for supporting our advertiser who in turn support this newsletter.

Kava Haven continued

In a cocktail, this spirit shines just as brightly. From the company’s recipe collection, I tried the Golden Paloma using freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, and the cocktail was on par with any of the best alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails I have ever tasted. Accuse me of exaggerating, and it will be pistols at dawn.

One cocktail I loved making for our recent dinner guests this year was the Kava Mule. I don’t usually reach for sugary ginger beers, but sometimes it’s worth it for the serious spicy kick they bring. Add a squeeze of fresh lime juice to the spirit, top with ginger beer, and you’ve got a cocktail your guests will all be asking the recipe for.

The price is unquestionably going to be a hurdle for some, but Kava Haven has a rightful place on the top shelf, and those heady heights usually don’t come cheap. If you do the math on price per serving per bottle, it isn’t as painful as it may seem.

The million-dollar question, though: Did it really give me a sense of calmness and relaxation, and reduce my stress? You bet your top dollar it did.

How Kava Haven describe the spirit: Kava Haven is citrus-forward with a subtle bitterness, warming ginger spice, and a clean, botanical finish. It’s intentionally complex and designed to be mixed—similar to a clear spirit like vodka or tequila.

There has been some discussion that overuse of Kava and poor-quality ingredients can lead to liver issues for some. Please do your own research on this matter.

EXTRA READS

Chris Clemens returns with three standout Bulltown Brewing beers, Frinj's intriguing Phantura, and another round of great non-alcoholic finds.

• A quick heads-up: some links here are affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission—thank you for supporting my work at no extra cost to you.