Best Kava Drinks at Kava Works in Colorado Springs: What to Order First

If your search history looks something like "best kava drink Colorado Springs," you are probably trying to figure out one very normal thing:

What should you actually order when you walk into Kava Works?

That is a fair question. A kava bar menu can feel a little mysterious the first time. You see traditional kava, Fiji Blend, Waka, kava soda, Nitro Tea, kombucha, extracts, shells, shots, snacks, and maybe a few regulars around you who already have their order down to muscle memory.

The good news is that Kava Works is not the kind of place where you need to pretend you know everything. It is very much a "tell us what you like and we will help you find your drink" kind of lounge.

Kava Works has two Colorado Springs locations, one on North Academy and one Downtown, and the whole idea is simple: alcohol-free drinks, relaxed conversation, events, games, music, and a place to hang out without building the night around booze.

If it is your first time, here is the short version.

Order Kava Soda if you want the most beginner-friendly kava-based drink.

Order Nitro Tea if you want the smoothest, easiest first sip.

Order Fiji Blend or Waka if you want the classic traditional kava experience.

Order PBJ if you want kava in a playful, smoother format.

Order Kombucha if you want something fizzy and alcohol-free, but you are not ready for kava yet.

That is the quick answer. Now let us make it useful.

First, What Kind of First Visit Are You Having?

Before you pick a drink, it helps to know what lane you are in.

Are you here because you want to try kava for the first time? Start with kava soda or a traditional shell.

Are you here because you want a chill alcohol-free drink with friends? Nitro Tea, kombucha, or kava soda will feel easy.

Are you here because you want the most "real kava" experience? Fiji Blend or Waka is your move.

Are you on a date, at happy hour, or meeting a group? Choose something that is easy to sip while you talk. Kava soda and Nitro Tea are both great for that.

The best first order is not the strongest drink. It is not the most traditional drink. It is the drink that helps you relax into the room.

If you want to peek before you go, the Kava Works menu is worth a quick skim. If you want a true beginner primer, read Kava for Beginners before your visit.

1. Kava Soda: The Best First Kava Drink for Most New People

If you came in specifically wanting to try kava, but you are not sure you want the full earthy traditional flavor yet, start with Kava Soda.

This is probably the easiest bridge between "I am curious about kava" and "I want something that tastes fun." Traditional kava can be grounding, calm, and interesting, but the flavor is rooty and earthy. Some people love that right away. Other people need a softer entrance.

Kava Soda makes the first step more approachable. It is bright, fizzy, flavored, cold, and social. You still get a kava-based drink, but the experience feels closer to ordering a zero-proof drink at a bar than sipping a traditional shell.

Order this if:

You want your first drink to actually include kava.
You usually like sparkling drinks.
You want something that feels casual at a table or on a date.
You are sober-curious and miss the ritual of ordering something interesting.
You want a drink that does not require a long explanation before the first sip.

A good first order:

Kava Soda, whatever flavor the kavatender is most excited about today.

That last part matters. At a place like Kava Works, the bar team is part of the experience. Ask what is popular. Ask what is fresh. Ask what they would hand a first-timer who wants something easy.

Do not overthink it. Kava Soda is supposed to be fun.

2. Nitro Tea: The Smoothest Easy First Pick

If you want the safest "I am pretty sure I will like this" order, get the Nitro Tea.

Nitro Tea is smooth, cold, mellow, and easy to sip. It does not ask too much from you. You do not have to be ready for the earthy taste of traditional kava. You do not have to know what a shell is. You can just sit down, take a sip, and settle into the room.

Think of it as the friendliest lounge drink on the menu. It has that soft nitro texture people like in nitro coffee, but the overall vibe is lighter and more refreshing. It works especially well if you are coming in after work, meeting someone for a low-key hang, or staying for a longer conversation.

Order this if:

You want something smooth and cold.
You like iced tea, cold brew, or not-too-sweet drinks.
You are hanging out for a while.
You want a happy hour pick that is easy to sip.
You are with friends and want the least complicated first order.

A good first order:

Nitro Tea, 16 oz, and ask whether people usually like it plain or lightly sweetened.

Some people like a little sweetness because it rounds out the drink. Some people prefer it cleaner. Either way, Nitro Tea is a nice landing place for someone who wants the Kava Works vibe without making the drink feel like homework.

3. Fiji Blend or Waka: The Classic Traditional Kava Shell

If your goal is to understand what kava actually is, go traditional.

Traditional kava at Kava Works is earthy, grounding, and simple. It is the closest thing to the classic shell experience: root, water, time, and patience. It does not taste like a mocktail. It tastes like a root from the South Pacific because that is what it is.

The flavor is earthy, slightly peppery, and kind of mineral. Your tongue or lips may feel a little numb after a sip. That is a common part of the experience. The feeling usually builds gradually, which makes traditional kava a good drink for settling in instead of rushing through.

Order this if:

You want the most direct "what is kava?" experience.
You are okay with earthy flavors.
You want something slower and more grounding.
You are coming in after work and want your shoulders to come down.
You care more about tradition than sweetness.

A good first order:

Ask for a traditional Fiji Blend or Waka recommendation and tell the kavatender it is your first shell.

If you are nervous about the taste, ask for a chaser or ask what people usually pair with it. Nobody gets a prize for pretending roots taste like cupcakes.

4. PBJ: The Friendly Flavor Pick

PBJ is the drink for the person who wants kava to stop acting mysterious.

The name gives you the vibe. It is playful, familiar, and smoother than a straight traditional shell. It softens the edge for someone who wants to try kava without making the earthy flavor the whole plot of the evening.

This is a good pick if you are with friends, ordering at happy hour, or trying to get one small, fun kava drink before an event starts.

Order this if:

You do not want an earthy first impression.
You like richer, smoother flavors.
You want something approachable but still kava-based.
You are with a group and do not want to spend ten minutes decoding the menu.

A good first order:

PBJ, especially if you want something smoother and more familiar than traditional kava.

PBJ is also a nice "second step" drink. Start with Kava Soda or Nitro Tea, get comfortable, then try PBJ when you want to explore the menu a little more.

5. Kombucha: The Fizzy Backup Plan That Still Feels Like a Real Drink

Kombucha is the move when you want something crisp, tangy, and refreshing.

It is not the most kava-focused recommendation, so let us be clear about that. If you searched "best kava drinks," Kombucha is more of a companion option than the headline. But it absolutely belongs in a first-visit guide because not everyone in the group wants kava right away.

Maybe you are the designated driver. Maybe you are pacing yourself. Maybe you are sober-curious and want a drink with personality. Maybe you came with friends and just want something bright while you get a feel for the place.

Order this if:

You want something fizzy and tangy.
You are not ready to try kava yet.
You like drinks with a little bite.
You want an alcohol-free option that does not feel like an afterthought.

A good first order:

Kombucha, and ask what flavors are available.

It is simple, but it works. A good kombucha can carry a conversation better than another sad soda water ever could.

6. Bertha Bomb: The Compact Pour to Ask About, Not Rush Into

The Bertha Bomb has more "let us go" energy than a traditional shell.

It is smaller, more direct, and built differently from the slow, sippable route. If traditional kava is a long porch conversation, the Bertha Bomb is more like a quick wink from across the room.

That does not mean you should treat it like a dare. Especially if you are new, start slow and ask questions. Kava affects people differently, and more is not automatically better. The goal is to feel good and stay present, not to turn your first visit into a field test.

Order this if:

You have tried kava before and know you like it.
You want something compact.
You are comfortable asking the kavatender how to pace it.
You want to try a Kava Works-specific menu item after you understand the basics.

A good first order:

Ask about Bertha Bomb, but be honest if you are brand new.

That one sentence helps the bar team steer you toward the right serving and the right pace.

So, Which One Should You Order First?

Here is the easy version.

If you want the most beginner-friendly kava-based drink, get Kava Soda.

If you want the smoothest first drink overall, get Nitro Tea.

If you want the classic kava experience, get Fiji Blend or Waka.

If you want something playful and smoother, try PBJ.

If you want fizzy and tangy without jumping into kava yet, get Kombucha.

If you want something compact and more direct, ask about Bertha Bomb.

My personal first-visit order would be Kava Soda if you came specifically to try kava, or Nitro Tea if you are easing in and mostly want to hang out. Those two make the most sense for a new person because they are easy to enjoy while still giving you a feel for what Kava Works is about.

What Should You Order If You Do Not Like Earthy Flavors?

Start with Kava Soda, PBJ, Nitro Tea, or ask what current flavored options are tasting especially smooth.

Traditional kava is worth trying, but it is not everyone's best first step. Some people become traditional kava fans after a few visits. Some people stay happily in the flavored and fizzy lane forever. Both are fine.

Kava culture has room for the person who loves the rooty taste and the person who says, "Please hide the root from me as politely as possible."

What Should You Order If You Want the Strongest First Impression?

Ask the kavatender.

That answer may feel too simple, but it is the right one. "Strong" can mean stronger taste, faster onset, bigger serving, more body relaxation, or a more noticeable social lift. Those are not all the same thing.

Instead of asking for "the strongest thing," try this:

"I want to feel it, but I am new. What would you recommend?"

That gives the bar team room to guide you without overshooting.

What Should You Order on a Date?

Kava Soda is the easy answer. It is bright, casual, and does not make the whole date revolve around the drink.

Traditional kava can also be fun if both people are curious and open to trying something new together. The underrated move is ordering two different things and swapping sips. One of you gets Kava Soda, the other tries Fiji Blend, PBJ, or Nitro Tea. Now you have a built-in conversation topic, and nobody has to pretend they knew exactly what to order.

If you are planning a whole evening, we also have a guide to alcohol-free date night in Colorado Springs.

What Should You Order With Friends?

If you are in a group, order a spread:

One traditional kava for the curious person.
One Kava Soda for the easygoing person.
One PBJ for the flavor person.
One Nitro Tea for the sipper.
One Kombucha for anyone who wants a bright non-kava option.
Snacks for the table.

That way everyone gets a reference point. The group can compare notes, and the person who was nervous about kava has a few routes to try.

What About Happy Hour?

Kava Works happy hour is one of the easiest ways to try the menu without committing too hard.

A first-timer happy hour order could look like this:

Start with a traditional kava if you want the classic route.

Try PBJ if you want smooth and friendly.

Go for Nitro Tea if you want cold and easy.

Ask about Kava Soda flavors if you want something bright.

The whole point is low-stakes discovery. Bring a friend, split a snack, try one thing, and let yourself be new.

What to Pair With Your Drink

Kava Works is built for staying a while, so snacks are part of the strategy.

If you are going with Nitro Tea, something salty and crunchy makes sense. If you are going with Kava Soda, richer snacks work nicely because the bubbles keep the drink lively. If you are going traditional, ask the bar team what people usually like as a chaser or pairing.

None of this needs to be fancy. That is the charm of it. You are not building a tasting menu. You are making the table feel more comfortable.

Which Kava Works Location Should You Visit First?

Both locations work for a first visit.

Kava Works North on North Academy is a good pick if you are near UCCS, North Academy, Briargate, or the north side of Colorado Springs. It is easy for after-work hangs, game nights, and meeting people without going all the way Downtown.

Kava Works Downtown is the move if your night already includes food, music, events, walking around, or meeting friends near the center of town. It is also a natural stop for anyone looking for alcohol-free nightlife in Colorado Springs.

Either way, the order advice stays the same: tell the kavatender it is your first visit and give them one clue about what you like.

Try:

"I like fizzy drinks."

"I want to try real kava, but I am new."

"I want something smooth and not too sweet."

"I want something fun for a date."

That is more useful than staring at the menu and hoping the right drink glows.

A Quick Note Before You Order

Kava is alcohol-free, but it is still something to treat with respect.

Start slow. Give it time. Do not mix kava with alcohol or substances that cause drowsiness. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or managing liver concerns, talk with a healthcare provider before trying kava.

At Kava Works, guests must be 18 or older to order kava, and valid ID is required.

No one expects you to walk in as a kava scholar. Ask questions. Sip slowly. Notice how you feel. That is a normal first visit.

Best First-Time Order at Kava Works

If you want the simplest kava-based first order:

Get a Kava Soda and ask for the most popular current flavor.

If you want the easiest overall first drink:

Start with Nitro Tea.

If you want to understand the classic root drink:

Ask for Fiji Blend or Waka and tell the kavatender it is your first shell.

If you want something smoother and playful:

Try PBJ.

If you are not ready for kava yet:

Get Kombucha and hang out anyway.

That is really it. Kava Works is the kind of Colorado Springs spot where the drink matters, but the room matters too: the chill music, the welcoming staff, the relaxed crowd, the people playing games or talking late into the night.

So do not worry about ordering perfectly. Pick one thing, sit down, and let the night be easy.

FAQ

What is the best kava drink to try first at Kava Works?

For most first-timers, Kava Soda is the best kava-based drink to start with because it is fizzy, flavored, and more approachable than traditional earthy kava. If you want the easiest overall first drink, start with Nitro Tea.

What should I order if I want traditional kava?

Ask for Fiji Blend or Waka and tell the kavatender it is your first shell. Traditional kava is earthy, grounding, and slower to sip than flavored drinks.

Does Kava Works have non-alcoholic drinks?

Yes. Kava Works is an alcohol-free lounge with traditional kava, kava sodas, Nitro Tea, kombucha, and other zero-proof options.

Where is Kava Works in Colorado Springs?

Kava Works has two Colorado Springs locations: North at 6820 N Academy Blvd and Downtown at 111 E Pikes Peak Ave.

Is Kava Works a good place for a first date?

Yes, especially if you want an alcohol-free date night that still feels social. Kava Soda, Nitro Tea, and PBJ are all easy first-date orders because they are relaxed, conversational drinks.

What should I ask the kavatender?

Try: "It is my first time. Should I start with Kava Soda, Nitro Tea, or traditional kava?" That gives them enough to guide you without making the order complicated.

If your search history looks something like "best kava drink Colorado Springs," you are probably trying to figure out one very normal thing:

What should you actually order when you walk into Kava Works?

The good news is that Kava Works is not the kind of place where you need to pretend you know everything. It is very much a "tell us what you like and we will help you find your drink" kind of lounge.

If it is your first time, here is the short version.

Order Kava Soda if you want the most beginner-friendly kava-based drink.

Order Nitro Tea if you want the smoothest, easiest first sip.

Order Fiji Blend or Waka if you want the classic traditional kava experience.

Order PBJ if you want kava in a playful, smoother format.

Order Kombucha if you want something fizzy and alcohol-free, but you are not ready for kava yet.

That is the quick answer. Now let us make it useful.

First, What Kind of First Visit Are You Having?

Before you pick a drink, it helps to know what lane you are in.

Are you here because you want to try kava for the first time? Start with kava soda or a traditional shell.

Are you here because you want a chill alcohol-free drink with friends? Nitro Tea, kombucha, or kava soda will feel easy.

Are you here because you want the most "real kava" experience? Fiji Blend or Waka is your move.

Are you on a date, at happy hour, or meeting a group? Choose something that is easy to sip while you talk. Kava soda and Nitro Tea are both great for that.

The best first order is not the strongest drink. It is not the most traditional drink. It is the drink that helps you relax into the room.

If you want to peek before you go, the Kava Works menu is worth a quick skim. If you want a true beginner primer, read Kava for Beginners before your visit.

1. Kava Soda: The Best First Kava Drink for Most New People

If you came in specifically wanting to try kava, but you are not sure you want the full earthy traditional flavor yet, start with Kava Soda.

Order this if:

You want your first drink to actually include kava.
You usually like sparkling drinks.
You want something that feels casual at a table or on a date.
You are sober-curious and miss the ritual of ordering something interesting.
You want a drink that does not require a long explanation before the first sip.

A good first order:

Kava Soda, whatever flavor the kavatender is most excited about today.

That last part matters. At a place like Kava Works, the bar team is part of the experience. Ask what is popular. Ask what is fresh. Ask what they would hand a first-timer who wants something easy.

Do not overthink it. Kava Soda is supposed to be fun.

2. Nitro Tea: The Smoothest Easy First Pick

If you want the safest "I am pretty sure I will like this" order, get the Nitro Tea.

Order this if:

You want something smooth and cold.
You like iced tea, cold brew, or not-too-sweet drinks.
You are hanging out for a while.
You want a happy hour pick that is easy to sip.
You are with friends and want the least complicated first order.

A good first order:

Nitro Tea, 16 oz, and ask whether people usually like it plain or lightly sweetened.

3. Fiji Blend or Waka: The Classic Traditional Kava Shell

If your goal is to understand what kava actually is, go traditional.

Order this if:

You want the most direct "what is kava?" experience.
You are okay with earthy flavors.
You want something slower and more grounding.
You are coming in after work and want your shoulders to come down.
You care more about tradition than sweetness.

A good first order:

Ask for a traditional Fiji Blend or Waka recommendation and tell the kavatender it is your first shell.

If you are nervous about the taste, ask for a chaser or ask what people usually pair with it. Nobody gets a prize for pretending roots taste like cupcakes.

4. PBJ: The Friendly Flavor Pick

PBJ is the drink for the person who wants kava to stop acting mysterious.

This is a good pick if you are with friends, ordering at happy hour, or trying to get one small, fun kava drink before an event starts.

Order this if:

You do not want an earthy first impression.
You like richer, smoother flavors.
You want something approachable but still kava-based.
You are with a group and do not want to spend ten minutes decoding the menu.

A good first order:

PBJ, especially if you want something smoother and more familiar than traditional kava.

PBJ is also a nice "second step" drink. Start with Kava Soda or Nitro Tea, get comfortable, then try PBJ when you want to explore the menu a little more.

5. Kombucha: The Fizzy Backup Plan That Still Feels Like a Real Drink

Kombucha is the move when you want something crisp, tangy, and refreshing.

Order this if:

You want something fizzy and tangy.
You are not ready to try kava yet.
You like drinks with a little bite.
You want an alcohol-free option that does not feel like an afterthought.

A good first order:

Kombucha, and ask what flavors are available.

It is simple, but it works. A good kombucha can carry a conversation better than another sad soda water ever could.

6. Bertha Bomb: The Compact Pour to Ask About, Not Rush Into

The Bertha Bomb has more "let us go" energy than a traditional shell.

It is smaller, more direct, and built differently from the slow, sippable route. If traditional kava is a long porch conversation, the Bertha Bomb is more like a quick wink from across the room.

Order this if:

You have tried kava before and know you like it.
You want something compact.
You are comfortable asking the kavatender how to pace it.
You want to try a Kava Works-specific menu item after you understand the basics.

A good first order:

Ask about Bertha Bomb, but be honest if you are brand new.

That one sentence helps the bar team steer you toward the right serving and the right pace.

So, Which One Should You Order First?

Here is the easy version.

If you want the most beginner-friendly kava-based drink, get Kava Soda.

If you want the smoothest first drink overall, get Nitro Tea.

If you want the classic kava experience, get Fiji Blend or Waka.

If you want something playful and smoother, try PBJ.

If you want fizzy and tangy without jumping into kava yet, get Kombucha.

If you want something compact and more direct, ask about Bertha Bomb.

What Should You Order If You Do Not Like Earthy Flavors?

Start with Kava Soda, PBJ, Nitro Tea, or ask what current flavored options are tasting especially smooth.

Kava culture has room for the person who loves the rooty taste and the person who says, "Please hide the root from me as politely as possible."

What Should You Order If You Want the Strongest First Impression?

Ask the kavatender.

Instead of asking for "the strongest thing," try this:

"I want to feel it, but I am new. What would you recommend?"

That gives the bar team room to guide you without overshooting.

What Should You Order on a Date?

Kava Soda is the easy answer. It is bright, casual, and does not make the whole date revolve around the drink.

If you are planning a whole evening, we also have a guide to alcohol-free date night in Colorado Springs.

What Should You Order With Friends?

If you are in a group, order a spread:

One traditional kava for the curious person.
One Kava Soda for the easygoing person.
One PBJ for the flavor person.
One Nitro Tea for the sipper.
One Kombucha for anyone who wants a bright non-kava option.
Snacks for the table.

That way everyone gets a reference point. The group can compare notes, and the person who was nervous about kava has a few routes to try.

What About Happy Hour?

Kava Works happy hour is one of the easiest ways to try the menu without committing too hard.

A first-timer happy hour order could look like this:

Start with a traditional kava if you want the classic route.

Try PBJ if you want smooth and friendly.

Go for Nitro Tea if you want cold and easy.

Ask about Kava Soda flavors if you want something bright.

The whole point is low-stakes discovery. Bring a friend, split a snack, try one thing, and let yourself be new.

What to Pair With Your Drink

Kava Works is built for staying a while, so snacks are part of the strategy.

None of this needs to be fancy. That is the charm of it. You are not building a tasting menu. You are making the table feel more comfortable.

Which Kava Works Location Should You Visit First?

Both locations work for a first visit.

Either way, the order advice stays the same: tell the kavatender it is your first visit and give them one clue about what you like.

Try:

"I like fizzy drinks."

"I want to try real kava, but I am new."

"I want something smooth and not too sweet."

"I want something fun for a date."

That is more useful than staring at the menu and hoping the right drink glows.

A Quick Note Before You Order

Kava is alcohol-free, but it is still something to treat with respect.

At Kava Works, guests must be 18 or older to order kava, and valid ID is required.

No one expects you to walk in as a kava scholar. Ask questions. Sip slowly. Notice how you feel. That is a normal first visit.

Best First-Time Order at Kava Works

If you want the simplest kava-based first order:

Get a Kava Soda and ask for the most popular current flavor.

If you want the easiest overall first drink:

Start with Nitro Tea.

If you want to understand the classic root drink:

Ask for Fiji Blend or Waka and tell the kavatender it is your first shell.

If you want something smoother and playful:

Try PBJ.

If you are not ready for kava yet:

Get Kombucha and hang out anyway.

So do not worry about ordering perfectly. Pick one thing, sit down, and let the night be easy.

FAQ

What is the best kava drink to try first at Kava Works?

What should I order if I want traditional kava?

Ask for Fiji Blend or Waka and tell the kavatender it is your first shell. Traditional kava is earthy, grounding, and slower to sip than flavored drinks.

Does Kava Works have non-alcoholic drinks?

Yes. Kava Works is an alcohol-free lounge with traditional kava, kava sodas, Nitro Tea, kombucha, and other zero-proof options.

Where is Kava Works in Colorado Springs?

Kava Works has two Colorado Springs locations: North at 6820 N Academy Blvd and Downtown at 111 E Pikes Peak Ave.

Is Kava Works a good place for a first date?

Yes, especially if you want an alcohol-free date night that still feels social. Kava Soda, Nitro Tea, and PBJ are all easy first-date orders because they are relaxed, conversational drinks.

What should I ask the kavatender?

Try: "It is my first time. Should I start with Kava Soda, Nitro Tea, or traditional kava?" That gives them enough to guide you without making the order complicated.