By Shreya Sarpal
April 2, 2026
Starting from the root, this kava drink recipe walks you through making your own powder and extracting it the traditional way, resulting in an earthy, slightly numbing drink that’s best enjoyed slow and fresh.
500 g kava root (fresh or dried) 2 cups lukewarm water 1 tbsp coconut milk 1 tsp honey
Wash the kava root thoroughly, peel off the outer skin, then cut it into thin slices and sun-dry for several days until completely hard and brittle.
Grind the dried pieces using a strong grinder or mortar-pestle into a slightly coarse, fibrous powder (not too fine like flour), then lightly sieve to remove large chunks.
Take 2 tbsp of this homemade kava powder, place it in a muslin cloth, tie it into a loose pouch, and submerge it in a bowl of lukewarm water (not hot).
Knead and gently squeeze the pouch in the water for 8-10 minutes, pressing and massaging until the liquid turns a light brown and is slightly thick.
Squeeze out all the liquid, discard the pulp, then stir and serve immediately-add coconut milk or honey if you want to balance the earthy bitterness.