The quick comparison
| Kin Lightwave | Kava (BBCo Orange Dream) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Sparkling "euphoric" nightcap | Sparkling drink made with kava root |
| Key ingredients | Reishi, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, magnesium glycinate, passionflower | Kava |
| Caffeine | None (Kin Spritz has 50 mg) | None |
| Calories | 45 per 8 oz can | 50 per 12 oz can |
| Taste | Lavender-vanilla, smoked sea salt, bittersweet | Zesty orange with an earthy kava finish |
| Price | About $4.75 per 8 oz can | From $36 per 4-pack |
| Buy | Check price on Amazon | Shop Orange Dream |
What's in Kin
Kin Euphorics blends several ingredients rather than relying on one plant. Lightwave, their evening drink, uses reishi mushroom, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, L-serine and magnesium glycinate with passionflower and lavender. Note that Kin Spritz, their daytime drink, contains 50 mg of caffeine, so it's not the one for evenings.
What kava is
Kava is a single root from the South Pacific, prepared for centuries as an evening drink. Modern canned kava keeps that ritual and makes it taste good.
Which should you choose?
Pick Kin if you like amaro, bitters and cocktails with a lot going on, and you want a nightcap that feels like a bar drink.
Pick kava if you want something straightforward and refreshing that marks the end of the day the way a beer did.
Prefer Kin?
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
Does Kin Euphorics contain kava?
No. Kin uses a blend of ingredients like reishi, L-theanine and passionflower. It doesn't contain kava.
Does Kin Euphorics have caffeine?
Lightwave doesn't. Kin Spritz has 50 mg per can.
Is Kin or kava better before bed?
If you're choosing Kin, pick Lightwave, which is caffeine-free. Kava is traditionally an evening drink too.
