Kava Merry Christmas: Kava Mocktail
/This ancient root can help you feel relaxed this holiday season…..without the hangover! Here’s a festive mocktail for the kava cocktail enthusiast.
15% OFF KAVA HAVEN with promo code MAKEITNONALCOHOLIC15 -> Kavahaven.com
If there’s one thing that screams holiday season nostalgia, it’s those boxes of chocolate-covered cherries that seem to magically appear in stores right after Halloween. Love them or hate them, they’re a classic—bursting with syrupy red centers and wrapped in a velvety chocolate coating. That iconic combination of cherry, chocolate, and just a hint of almond is exactly what inspired this festive and luxurious mocktail.
This recipe isn’t just about flavor though… it’s also about being able to relax over the holidays without grabbing a glass of wine. Maybe that means sitting by the fire in fuzzy socks, watching a holiday movie. Maybe it’s wrapping gifts while nibbling on treats from your childhood. This mocktail will help you soften those edgy holiday corners, no alcohol required.
Kava is a functional ingredient that is quickly becoming the alternative to wine in many circles in North America. It’s celebrated for its ability to gently relax you and reduce anxiety. Although most regular kava users say they don’t feel a ‘buzz’ from it, it can make a beginner feel a little bit tipsy and I have been known to have the giggles from just one serving.
Kava now comes in a liquid spirit format through a company called Kava Kaven, so you don’t have to rely on kava powder or kava extracts. It is a pungent herb though and works best with lemon or citrus. This holiday mocktail is a departure from the usual mules and lemon-based recipes I’ve made before, but it turned out really delicious.
It does require a few special ingredients, so read on below to find out how to make this mocktail and where to find these ingredients.
🍫 Ingredients
Tart Cherry Juice
Naturally sweet, a little sour, and deeply red in color, tart cherry juice brings bold fruitiness that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. It also happens to be packed with antioxidants, so let’s call that a festive bonus.
Kava Haven
Kava brings a grounding, earthy flavor and a mellowing quality. It’s ideal for those looking for an alcohol-free evening wind-down. Kava is known for its calming properties, and while it won’t make you sleepy, it adds a subtle relaxing vibe to your mocktail experience. Find it here - 15% OFF with coupon code MAKEITNONALCOHOLIC15.
Lyre’s Amaretti
If you haven’t tried this yet, you’re in for a treat. Lyre’s Amaretti is a non-alcoholic amaretto that captures that signature almond-cookie flavor perfectly. It’s sweet, rich, and adds a nostalgic note of warmth and comfort. Find it here on Amazon for quick shipping.
Chocolate Mole Bitters
Bitters are the secret weapon of mocktails. These ones add just the right amount of chocolatey depth and spice. A few dashes go a long way to tie everything together, and they bring the “chocolate-covered” element front and center. Find it here.
🍷 Why This Mocktail Works
This drink is stirred, not shaken, which gives it a silky mouthfeel—like a dessert cocktail, but not too sweet. The cherry juice is tart and juicy, the amaretto adds warmth and richness, and the bitters give it a slightly spiced edge that feels perfect for December. The kava doesn’t overpower anything—it just brings a mellow background note that helps the flavors feel grounded and balanced.
You’ll notice there’s no sparkling water or soda in this recipe. That’s on purpose. This is a sipping mocktail—meant to be savored, not guzzled. It feels indulgent and elegant, a perfect alcohol-free alternative for any holiday gathering.
🍒 Kava Merry Christmas
Ingredients:
2 oz tart cherry juice
1 oz Kava Haven
2 oz Lyre’s Amaretti (non-alcoholic amaretto)
Several healthy dashes of chocolate mole bitters
Garnish: Cherries or a cinnamon stick
Preparation
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a cinnamon stick, dark chocolate shavings or marascino cherries.
💡 Tips + Variations
Batch it: If you’re entertaining, scale up the recipe and stir a big batch in a pitcher. Keep it chilled and pour into coupes as your guests arrive.
Batch it and serve it warm: You quadruple the ingredients and gently warm the liquid on the stove to serve it like a mulled cherry punch. Just go easy on the heat, especially with the kava!
Make it dessert-y: Add a splash of non-dairy cream and a sprinkle of shaved dark chocolate for a mocktail that leans into dessert territory.
🎁 Final Thought: An alternative mindset
One of the most powerful mindset shifts I’ve made on my alcohol-free journey is to stop asking: “Does this taste like the real thing?” and start asking: “Do I like how this tastes?” When you stop comparing and start exploring, you open up a whole world of delicious possibilities.
This kava holiday mocktail is one of those possibilities. It’s festive, and memorable. Whether you’re sober curious, totally alcohol-free, or just not feeling like drinking tonight—you deserve something that feels like a treat.
Happy holidays from my alcohol-free bar cart to yours. 🍒🍫✨
Kava Merry Christmas
This savoury and sweet mocktail tastes like the iconic holiday favourite: chocolate-covered cherry chocolates, and it will help you relax and unwind whether you're wrapping presents or just enjoying the magic of Christmas Eve!
Ingredients
- 2 oz cherry juice
- 1 oz hava haven
- 2 oz amaretto
- chocolate mole bitters
Instructions
- All all ingredients to a mixing glass and stir to chill.
- Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with dark chocolate shavings, maraschino cherries or a cinnamon stick.
