The quick comparison
| Leilo | Mitra9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Formats | Stick packs (and cans) | Seltzers and stick packs |
| Kava per serving | 1,000 mg kava root extract blend (stick) | 500 mg kava extract, 150 mg kavalactones |
| Calories | 5 per stick | Varies by product |
| Flavors | Berry, lemon lime | Lemonade, orange dreamsicle, strawberry watermelon, paradise lychee, island punch |
| Price at brand site | $24.99 for 10 sticks | $29.99 per seltzer 4-pack; mixes from $17.95 for 5 sticks |
| Buy | Check price on Amazon | Check price on Amazon |
Leilo
Leilo's strength is its stick packs: 1,000 mg of a kava root extract blend per stick, 5 calories, no sugar, sweetened with stevia. Stir one into 12 to 16 oz of cold water (Leilo's product-page directions; its FAQ says 8 to 12 oz, adjust to taste). It's the better pick if you want a mix and care about the amount of extract.
Mitra9
Mitra9 is more transparent about dose: their kava seltzers and mixes list 500 mg of kava extract with 150 mg of kavalactones, the active compounds in kava. They also have more flavors and both cans and mixes.
Which should you buy?
Leilo for portable stick packs. Mitra9 for label transparency and flavor variety.
The can we'd buy over both
If you're buying kava to drink at home, the best-tasting can we've found is Botanical Brewing's Kava Orange Dream: bright sparkling orange, a soft kava finish, 50 calories and zero alcohol. It's our #1 kava drink of 2026.
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
Which has more kava, Leilo or Mitra9?
Leilo's sticks list a 1,000 mg kava extract blend; Mitra9 lists 500 mg of extract with 150 mg of kavalactones. Leilo doesn't list kavalactones, so a direct comparison isn't possible.
Is Leilo or Mitra9 cheaper?
Per serving, the stick packs from both brands cost less than cans.
What's the best-tasting kava can?
Our pick is Botanical Brewing Co. Kava Orange Dream.
