DISSECTING A COCKTAIL

There are many alternatives to cocktails and alcoholic beverages these days. I’ve tried plenty, but the ones containing kava have captured my heart.

Kava is a plant native to the South Pacific, traditionally used for its calming and euphoric effects. The active compounds, kavalactones, are found in the root of the plant, which is typically ground, soaked and strained. It’s not much to look at — when ready for consumption, kava has a brownish, muddy appearance. On its own, the flavor is earthy and root-like, a bit of an acquired taste.

I was introduced to drinking kava on a date at Wana Navu Kava Bar in Fayetteville. I was familiar with the plant as a supplement but had never consumed it as a drink. Looking at the cocktail menu, I was floored by the variety of intricate blends of ingredients and the bold names for the drinks. Wana Navu owners Chloe Benhaim and Casey Fox helped me navigate the menu, offering a quick history of the root and explaining the effects of various ingredients.

Some drinks are combined with vitamins, kratom, or Delta-9, making for a highly personalized experience. I settled on a drink from their “Kavafornication” category, which features cocktails built on a kava base and infused with functional ingredients like B6, B12, L-theanine and ashwagandha. My go-to? The Mia Khalifa — a blend of those very ingredients, plus hibiscus flowers and lemongrass. The kava flavor is still present, but beautifully balanced. Did I mention these drinks contain zero sugar, carbs or calories? I ordered another. And then another.

Last year, Chloe and Casey opened a second location, this time in Sanford — what they proudly call their “Feel Good Bar” — which has quickly become my local stomping ground.