Do you want to enjoy all the benefits of kava kava but you do not like its taste? If that is the case, these kava drinks recipes are exactly what you are looking for. Enjoy your kava kava and all its properties with these delicious drinks! And you can even use them if you ever decide to throw a kava party.
What Is Kava Kava?
Kava kava (or simply kava) is the most common name given to Piper methysticum, a plant in the family of pepper that grows in South Pacific islands. In Fiji, Tonga, Hawaii or Vanuatu kava kava is part of the cultural and social life. That is why people use the roots of kava kava to prepare traditional drinks. In fact, kava ceremonies are common in many South Pacific islands and in some cases have even become an event that many tourists do not want to miss.
The roots of kava are also becoming very popular in America, and now you can even find kava bars in many cities. Quite likely, the reason behind this rise in popularity lies in the effects of kava. Kava’s active compounds, kavalactones, have strong relaxing and euphoric effects. Hence, people can use kava to relax, sleep or to boost their mood.
How to Make a Basic Kava Drink
To prepare a basic kava drink, place 2-3 tablespoons of kava powder in a strainer bag. If you don’t have one, you can use a cheesecloth (in this case, you will need to tie the cheesecloth). You can also find kava strainer bags, they are easily available at Amazon or other stores.
Then, place the strainer in a cup with warm water (8-10 oz) and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze and knead the strainer bag until there’s no more water left in the bag. You will need to apply a lot of pressure and it might take you some minutes. And now your kava kava is ready.
But there are other kava formats that will allow you to make your drink without following this process: micronized kava (kava root that has been grounded to obtain a very fine powder) and instant kava (dehydrated kava liquid made into a powder). If you prefer to use micronized or instant kava, you will just need to mix the kava powder with water or with any other beverage. In the case of micronized kava, you may want to shake it or even use a blender to mix it completely. The main disadvantage of micronized kava and instant kava is that they are usually more expensive than kava powder.
Kava Kava Drinks Recipes
The problem with the basic kava drink is that is not very nice. It is quite bitter and has an earthy taste to it that not everybody finds pleasant. Fortunately, there are many recipes that will help you mask its taste and enjoy a lovely kava drink (as well as kava kava relaxation and euphoria). For the recipes that we will show you below, you can use either the regular kava powder or instant or micronized kava. If you opt for using kava powder and preparing your own drink, you will need to add the resulting liquid to the drinks.
Kava and Chocolate and Coconut Smoothie
Coconut and kava are very much linked, and it is even common to serve kava drinks in a coconut shell. For this recipe, you will not need the shell, but coconut milk and coconut flakes.
Ingredients
- Kava kava powder
- 2 tbsp pure cocoa powder
- 1 frozen banana
- ½ cup of coconut milk
- 2-3 tbsp raw coconut flakes
Preparation
- Cut the banana
- Add all the ingredients to the blender (including the kava kava, either in powder if it’s instant or micronized kava or liquid if you are using regular kava)
- Mix until you get a creamy texture
- Pour some coconut flakes
Kava, Pineapple, and Mango Smoothie
Mango is a delicious fruit that will help you make your kava drinks enjoyable. And pineapple will help you lose body fat. And yes, we keep using coconut milk. Although you can use canned pineapple, fresh pineapple has more nutrients.
Ingredients
- Kava
- 7 oz coconut milk
- 1 cup fresh pineapple
- 1 ripe mango
- Ice
Preparation
- Peel and cut the pineapple and the mango
- Place all the ingredients in the blender (kava too)
- Mix until you get a smooth texture
- Serve immediately
Side Effects of Kava
Even though kava kava is a safe product, you should still take some precautions when consuming it. Kava could interact with antidepressants, so if you are using any medication for depression you should avoid kava or ask your doctor if you can consume it.
The side effects of kava include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry eye and dehydration
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Constipation
On the other hand, some studies suggest that kava may harm your liver. Therefore, we recommend consuming kava with caution.
