TAKE A SOBER HOLIDAY “Anything But Basic” is made with Spice tea, pumpkin, maple, and half and half. PHOTO BY KAREN DAY
By M.M. Sigler
All I want for Christmas, and all holidays, actually, is a decent nonalcoholic cocktail. I want my glass filled with something sophisticated, beautiful, delicious, and, heaven forbid, good for me. Hey, Santa, is that too much to ask? Not anymore. Today, the no alcohol cocktail market is keeping pace with the number of people who are putting alcohol aside, placing their physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing in the forefront, and leaving the booze behind. And just in time, here are four thriving Idaho companies that make delightfully satisfying concoctions you can enjoy at your home holiday party or anytime. KAVA CULTURE South Pacific Islanders have used Kava to reduce anxiety and promote clarity for thousands of years. Now, you can do the same in Garden City. Karuna Kava’s owner, Ben McQueen, serves kava in traditional short round bowls called shells, with fresh pineapple wedges as a chaser to balance the thick liquid’s earthy taste. It’s a complex nonalcoholic drink because of its power to make your mouth tingle and shift your mood.
“For sure, it changes your state of mind,” he said. McQueen uses different noble kavas imported from the South Pacific Islands. Each produces its own effect, from calming to uplifting, making it the perfect holiday beverage, he said. “It fosters peace, calm, and togetherness,” McQueen said. There are plenty of options for serving and enjoying Kava because it blends well with other beverages, McQueen said. He has kava drinks on tap mixed with Idaho Kombucha and Erth Bev. switchels that are lighter and zingier “...for the Idahoan who’s not familiar with it.” Sweetened with organic honey and natural ingredients, he brews flavors like Autumn Apple, Bananas Foster, and Kava Lava Fire Cider, a kava tonic punctuated by habanero pepper. “People love the Cacao Vanilla Kelai to make hot chocolate,” he said. “It also tastes good in coffee.” The Autumn Apple can be served like hot apple cider with a cinnamon stick and cloves. If you’re feeling indulgent, top it with whipped coconut cream. And the Kava Lava gives a kick to Bloody Mary mix, he said.
PHOTO BY KAREN DAY
Karuna Kava’s alternative social beverages.
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