Kavahol is one of the most powerful non-alcoholic spirits on the market—fiery ginger heat, the intense bite of kava root, and a high 250 mg dose of kavalactones per serving (more than any other NA kava spirit). That strength is what makes it great, but it also means Kavahol can easily dominate a cocktail. Ginger beer, sweet juices, and creamy ingredients help to keep it in balance—but in classic cocktails, it works best in small, intentional amounts.
This non-alcoholic margarita uses Kavahol exactly that way: as a modifier, not the base spirit. Just half an ounce adds the perfect nuance of warming ginger, a light mouth-tingling effect, and enough kavalactones for a gentle buzz—without overwhelming the drink. Non-alcoholic tequila brings agave character and spice, pineapple syrup adds lush tropical depth, and our Orange Cardamom bitters stand in as a more interesting version of triple sec. The result is a bright, layered kava drink that’s far from a “virgin margarita”—more like a polished, top-shelf zero-proof cocktail.
This recipe was perfected using Free Spirits Tequila, but you’re welcome to use your favorite non-alcoholic agave spirit instead. Because alcohol and kava should not be combined, please avoid adding full-strength spirits to this recipe.
Bright, tropical margarita with non-alc tequila and a splash of Kavahol for ginger bite and buzz.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Free Spirits Tequila
½ oz Kavahol
1 oz lime juice
¾ oz pineapple syrup
3 dashes ATB Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters
Directions
Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Recipe Note
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS Kavahol is extremely intense—delicious, but powerful—and using it in small amounts lets you access all the best parts of the spirit (ginger heat, a touch of earthiness, and a subtle kava buzz) without letting it take over the cocktail. Margaritas made with non-alcoholic tequila are already one of the most successful NA cocktail formats, and here Kavahol’s ginger flavor and pineapple syrup work together to create a tropical, vacation-worthy twist.
WHAT DOES KAVA FEEL LIKE? Think of kava like the feeling you get after your first drink—that warm, slightly tingly “ooh, I had a drink” moment. It’s uplifting and makes you feel relaxed and social without crossing into inebriation. There’s no drunk texting, no stumbling around—just a light, happy buzz that stays in a good place.
WHAT ARE KAVALACTONES? Kavalactones are the active compounds in kava—the part that creates the classic tongue-tingling sensation, the mellow, calming buzz, and the overall “feel” people associate with kava. This can get confusing on labels because some kava products list the amount of kava extract, not the actual kavalactone content. In many extracts, kavalactones make up roughly 30% of that number. As a general guideline, you’ll start to feel the effects around ~70 mg of kavalactones, with stronger effects at higher amounts. Most experts recommend staying within about 250–300 mg of kavalactones per day.
KAVA SAFETY: NOBLE ROOT ONLY Concerns about kava and liver toxicity come from early studies (that have since been refuted) using non-noble varieties of kava that contained stems, leaves, and other low-quality material. Kavahol is made exclusively from noble kava root, the traditionally consumed and widely regarded safe form used for centuries in the South Pacific. Even so, kava is not recommended during pregnancy and may interact with certain medications—so consult your doctor if you’re unsure.
USING BITTERS IN NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS Cocktail bitters provide depth and balance, rounding out sweet and sour flavors while adding bite. Since All The Bitter is completely 0% ABV (unlike traditional bitters, which are around 45% alcohol), you can use as much as you like to dial in flavor and complexity without affecting the ABV of your drink.
Leave a comment