It’s July. It’s hot. And you’re looking for a way to cool down and relax without getting sloshed.*
Well, I’m right there with you.
So here’s my favorite new non-alcoholic summer cocktail recipe: the lemon kava tonic. It’s bright and relaxing, and only takes a couple minutes to throw together.
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LEMON KAVA TONIC
Prep time: 3 minutes
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- ½ tsp kava extract
- 12 oz tonic water (plain or flavored)
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- Lemon twist
- 2 cups ice
Equipment
- 2 highball glasses (or whatever you’ve got)
- Handheld frother (see notes if you don’t have one)
Directions
- Add a splash of tonic water to each glass.
- Add ¼ tsp kava extract to each glass. Use the frother to combine.
- Split ice and tonic water between the glasses.
- Garnish with your twists.
![kava kava extract review: “Works great! I've been adding [kava to] my herbal tea in the evening and I love the calming effects.”](https://toptreeherbs.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Strong-Kava-Kava-Extract-Alcohol-Alternative-Supplements-911x1024.jpg)
Kava Tonic Recipe Notes
- Frother alternative: If you don’t have a frother, then it’ll be easiest to mix your kava tonic before you put any of it in glasses. It’s also easiest to get the kava extract to disperse in a warm liquid instead of a cold one. Add 2 tbsp warm water (or coconut water or juice) and your extract to a bowl. Using a small whisk, stir vigorously for about 20 seconds. Let sit 30 seconds and whisk again to break up any remaining clumps.
- Make it a double: add ½ tsp kava to each glass for stronger kava effects.
- Swap the citrus: switch out the lemon juice and twist for lime or orange.
*Important note on kava’s effects: while kava won’t make you feel drunk the way that alcohol will, it’s not really a “mocktail” base. In our view, kava drinks are cocktails—they can provide a mental buzz and bodily relaxation.
So if you’re trying to avoid all drinks with psychoactive effects, we don’t recommend having kava. You can make the recipe above into a true mocktail by combining lemon juice, tonic water, and a lemon twist—and just leave out the kava extract.

More NA Cocktail Recipes
If you’re celebrating Dry July (or what we like to call Dry-ish July) and you’re looking for more alcohol-free cocktail recipes, give one of these kratom or kava drink recipes a try:
Cheers!