Never had kava? Our best kava drinks for beginners ranks cans on what a first-timer needs: a kava amount on the label, a small first order, caffeine and sugar.
How we picked
We compared the things you notice when you buy and drink kava: how it tastes, whether it's a can or something you pour, what you pay per can or serving, and what the label actually says about the kava inside. Then we ranked for the most common buyer: someone who wants a good kava drink at the end of the day without a learning curve. Every price and label figure below comes from the brand's own page, checked October 11, 2026.
Kava drinks compared
| Drink | Format | Price at brand site (Oct 14) | Flavors | Kava on the label | Calories | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BBCo Kava Orange Dream Our review | 12 oz sparkling can | $9.00 (4-pack, $36) · $8.50 (12-pack, $102) · $8.25 (24-pack, $198) | Orange | Not printed on the product page. BBCo links a lab report (Feb 2025 batch): 59.7 mg kavalactones per can | 50 | Shop |
| BBCo Kava Tutti Frutti Our review | 12 oz sparkling can | $9.00 (4-pack, $36) · $8.50 (12) · $8.25 (24) | Rainbow sherbet: berry, citrus, tropical | Not listed | 60 | Shop |
| BBCo Kava Sucker Punch Our review | Sparkling can, Brewer's Series | $14.00 (4-pack, $56) · $14.00 (12, $168) · $13.00 (24, $312) | Lemonade | Labeled "Double Strength"; 1,400 mg kava extract, kavalactones not listed | 48 | Shop |
| Mitra9 Kava Seltzer Our review | 12 oz seltzer | $7.50 (4-pack, $29.99) · $6.25 (12, $74.99) · $6.04 (24, $144.95), direct | Paradise Lychee, Coconut Lychee, Lemonade, Orange Dreamsicle, Strawberry Watermelon | 500 mg kava extract, 30% kavalactones (about 150 mg) | 15 (Paradise Lychee) | Check price on Amazon |
| MELO Sparkling Kava Our review | 12 oz sparkling can | $4.17 (12-pack, $49.99) · $3.75 (24, $89.99) · $3.61 (36, $129.99) | Banana Cream, Tahitian Lime, Passionfruit Orange Guava | Not shown in the page text we checked (a reviewer reports 100 mg; unverified) | 0, zero sugar | Brand site |
| TRU KAVA Kava Drink | 12 oz can, whole-root kava juice | $5.83 (6-pack, $34.95), checked Oct 21, 2026 | Tropical Citrus, Ginger Brew | "Full-spectrum"; mg not listed | 10, 0 g sugar | Brand site |
| Leilo Kava Tonic Our review | Sparkling can; also stick packs | $49.99 per 12-pack direct ($4.17 a can); 6-can Variety Sampler $29.99 ($5.00 a can); checked Oct 21, 2026 | Classics (Raspberry Hibiscus, Tangerine Mango, Blackberry Orange) and mocktails (Lime Margarita, Piña Colada, Moscow Mule) | 1,000 mg proprietary kava extract per can; kavalactones not listed | Varies by flavor | Brand site |
| Kavahol Kava Spirit | 16 oz bottle you pour, about 10 servings | About $3.90 a serving ($39 a bottle) | Fiery Ginger | 833 mg noble kava extract (250 mg kavalactones) per serving | 45 per serving | Brand site |
| Kava Haven Our review | 750 ml bottle you pour, about 17 servings | About $3.12 a serving ($53 a bottle at the brand site) | Lemon and ginger | 150 mg kavalactones per 1.5 oz serving (on the brand's Amazon listing) | 30 per serving | Check price on Amazon |
Cans, powder or stick packs? We priced all three formats per serving in kava cans vs. instant kava vs. stick packs.
Prices are direct from each brand unless noted, before shipping and tax, and they change often.
How to read "kava" on a label
Brands measure kava three different ways, and they aren't interchangeable:
- Kavalactones in mg (Kavahol, Kava Haven, and Mitra9 through its percentage). Kavalactones are the compounds kava is known for, so this is the most comparable number.
- Extract weight in mg (Leilo's 1,000 mg). That's the weight of the extract, not the kavalactones in it.
- No number, or a lab report (BBCo links lab reports; TRU KAVA says "full-spectrum"). A lab report covers one batch, so read it as a ballpark.
If the amount matters to you, buy a drink that prints kavalactones, and don't compare an extract weight against a kavalactone figure.
Kava Orange Dream
Orange Dream is the kava can we hand first-timers, because it fixes kava's biggest problem: the taste. Traditional kava is earthy and peppery. Orange Dream leads with zesty, sparkling orange and keeps the kava underneath. It's 50 calories and zero alcohol, and it comes in 4, 12 or 24-can packs.
BBCo doesn't print a kavalactone number on the product page, but it links a lab report: the February 2025 batch tested at 59.7 mg of total kavalactones per 12 oz can. That's one batch, so read it as a ballpark. It's also one of the pricier cans here, at $8.25 to $9 each. Read our full Orange Dream review.
Shop Orange DreamZero alcohol · Ships direct from Botanical Brewing
Kava Tutti Frutti
Tutti Frutti tastes like rainbow sherbet: berry, citrus and tropical fruit. It's sweeter and more playful than Orange Dream, and it's the can we'd pour for someone who thinks they don't like kava. 60 calories, zero alcohol, same price as Orange Dream. BBCo doesn't list a kava amount for this one. Read our Tutti Frutti review.
Shop Tutti FruttiZero alcohol · Ships direct from Botanical BrewingMitra9 Paradise Lychee Kava Seltzer
Mitra9 prints the most useful number on this list: each kava seltzer lists 500 mg of kava extract at 30% kavalactones, which works out to about 150 mg. Paradise Lychee lists 15 calories. Direct from Mitra9 it's $29.99 a 4-pack, falling to about $6 a can in a 24-pack. One thing to watch: Mitra9 also sells kratom seltzers in similar cans, so check you're buying the kava line. Read our Mitra9 review.
Check price on AmazonMELO Sparkling Kava
MELO's sparkling kava cans list zero sugar and zero calories, in Banana Cream, Tahitian Lime and Passionfruit Orange Guava. At $49.99 for 12 (down to $3.61 a can in a 36-pack), it's the cheapest per can on this list. We couldn't confirm a kavalactone figure in the brand's page text; one independent reviewer reports 100 mg per can, so check the can. Read our MELO review.
See it at MELO
Kava Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch is the lemonade can BBCo labels "Double Strength Lemonade Kava," from its Brewer's Series. The label lists 1,400 mg of kava extract and 48 calories but no kavalactones, and at $13 to $14 a can at the brand site it's the priciest can here. Read our Sucker Punch review. It's for people who already drink kava. If you're new, start with #1 or #2.
Shop Sucker PunchZero alcohol · Ships direct from Botanical BrewingKavahol Kava Spirit
If you miss pouring a drink more than cracking a can, Kavahol is a 16 oz kava "spirit" in Fiery Ginger, about 10 servings a bottle. The label lists 833 mg of noble kava extract with 250 mg of kavalactones per serving, and 45 calories. At $39 a bottle, that's about $3.90 a serving. Want a lemon-ginger option instead? See our Kava Haven review.
See it at KavaholLeilo Berry Kava Drink Mix
Leilo's kava drink mix comes in 10 single-serve stick packs ($24.99 at the brand site) you stir into 12 to 16 oz of cold water (Leilo's product-page directions; its FAQ says 8 to 12 oz, adjust to taste), so you can pack it in a carry-on. Each stick is 5 calories with zero sugar. Leilo lists 1,000 mg of its proprietary kava extract per serving but no kavalactone figure. Leilo also sells sparkling cans; see our Leilo review and Leilo vs. Mitra9. For every stick-pack option side by side, see the best kava powder stick packs. For plain instant kava you measure and mix yourself, see the best instant kava.
Check price on AmazonCan, spirit or mix?
- Cans are cold, sparkling and ready to drink. That's most people, most of the time.
- Kava "spirits" (Kavahol, Kava Haven) are poured by the serving over ice or into a mixer. They work out cheaper per serving, but you have to measure.
- Mixes (Leilo sticks) are for travel and desk drawers. See the best kava powder stick packs.
- Instant kava is plain kava powder you stir into water, no strainer. We compare five in the best instant kava.
Looking for a store, Amazon or a locator for any of these? Where to buy kava drinks lists every option by brand.
Before your first can
- One can or one serving at a time. Wait before deciding on a second, and don't drive after drinking it.
- Don't mix kava with alcohol.
- Read who should skip kava below first. Skip it if you have a liver condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take medication that affects the liver, unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Not sure which BBCo flavor you'll like? The Kava Variety 12-Pack has Sucker Punch, Orange Dream and Tutti Frutti in one box.
- Comparing first cans side by side? See the best kava drinks for beginners.
Sources
- Botanical Brewing Co. product pages for Orange Dream, Tutti Frutti, Sucker Punch and the Kava Variety 12-Pack (prices, pack sizes, flavors), plus the Orange Dream lab report (MBL, Feb 2025) linked from its page
- Mitra9 Paradise Lychee Kava Seltzer (extract, kavalactone percentage, calories, prices)
- MELO Sparkling Kava, TRU KAVA, Kavahol, Kava Haven and Leilo product pages
Prices re-checked on each brand's own site October 14, 2026; label facts checked October 11 (Sucker Punch's label on October 14). Brands change recipes and prices, so the can in your hand is the final word.
Giving kava as a gift? Our non-alcoholic gift guide has kava variety packs alongside zero-proof gift sets, sorted by budget.
Who should skip kava
- Kava drinks are for adults 21+. Skip them if you're under 21.
- Skip kava if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Skip kava if you have a liver condition or drink heavily. Kava has been linked to rare cases of serious liver injury.
- Skip it if you take antidepressants (including SSRIs), sedatives, sleep aids or medications that affect the liver, unless your doctor says it's OK.
- Rules on kava vary by place. Check your local rules before you buy.
- One can or shell is one serving. Don't mix kava with alcohol, and don't drive after drinking it.
These are general cautions, not medical advice. If you're unsure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions people ask
What is the best kava drink?
For a first can, Botanical Brewing Co. Kava Orange Dream: sparkling orange, 50 calories, zero alcohol, with kava's earthy taste kept in the background. If you want a kava number on the label, Mitra9. For zero sugar and the lowest price per can, MELO.
What are the best kava brands?
The kava brands on our list: Botanical Brewing Co. (Orange Dream and Tutti Frutti cans), Mitra9, MELO, TRU KAVA, Leilo, and the kava spirits Kava Haven and Kavahol. Our first pick is Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream; Mitra9 if you want the kava amount printed.
What's the best kava drink to replace alcohol?
For an alcohol-free night in, we'd start with Botanical Brewing's Kava Orange Dream: cold, sparkling, 50 calories, zero alcohol. If you'd rather pour a drink, look at the kava spirits, Kava Haven and Kavahol. Drink kava instead of alcohol, never with it.
Which kava drinks list kavalactones?
Of the drinks we compared, Kavahol lists 250 mg per serving, Kava Haven 150 mg per 1.5 oz pour, and Mitra9 lists 500 mg of extract at 30% kavalactones (about 150 mg). Leilo lists extract weight, not kavalactones. BBCo links a lab report instead: 59.7 mg per can for one Orange Dream batch.
Is instant kava cheaper than a kava can?
Usually, per serving. The instant kavas we compared work out to about $0.95 to $2.64 a serving at brand-site prices (checked October 12, 2026, in that guide; FijiKava re-checked October 15, 2026), against about $3.61 (MELO 36-pack) to $14 (Sucker Punch 4-pack) a can for the cans on this page. You measure and mix it yourself, and it tastes like plain kava. See our best instant kava guide.
What's the cheapest kava drink per can?
Of our picks, MELO: $49.99 for 12 direct ($4.17 a can), down to about $3.61 a can in a 36-pack. Kava spirits like Kava Haven and Kavahol cost about $3 to $4 a serving.
Is there a kava drink with no sugar?
MELO lists zero sugar and zero calories. TRU KAVA lists 0 g sugar and 10 calories. Mitra9 Paradise Lychee lists 15 calories.
Where can I buy kava drinks?
Direct from each brand online, on Amazon for some (like Mitra9 and Kava Haven), and in stores. Botanical Brewing and Mitra9 both have store locators, and our where-to-buy guide lists every option.
Can you drink kava with alcohol?
We don't recommend it. Drink kava instead of alcohol, not with it.
