I tried a cup of kava, the magical South Pacific drink that some say could replace alcohol ' here's what it was like

Some adventurous eaters are starting to swap out their happy hour cocktails for something a little more natural.Kava drinksoften referred to as "kava tea"are made from the roots of a plant grown in the South Pacific, and they're known for their purported anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.When ground up and mixed with water, the root turns into a juice that some claim can be a natural alternative to alcohol. It has been used for thousands of years as a ceremonial and social drink in the South Pacific.Basically, the drink mimics alcohol's relaxing and sedative effects without the downsidesno extreme emotions, no memory loss, and no hangover.Tech Insider previously reported on kava's key compound,kavain, which mimics a sedative andtriggers relaxation in the body. It works as a muscle relaxer, so while you're mentally alert, you feel physically loose.Some people even claim that drinking kava makes themfeel high.The drink has made its way to the US, and is now being served at six KavaSutra barsacross the country. Last Friday, I stopped by the New York City locationto see if this magical drink was worth the hype.SEE ALSO:Your favorite wine to drink this summer might be blueDON'T FORGET:Follow Business Insider's Lifestyle page on Facebook!The outside looks like any other bar. I arrived at around 4:45 pm, shortly before happy hour was set to begin.This sign grabs your attention as you walk in.Of course, inside, the drinks are far fromtypical.I met with the bartender, Moose, who helped me through my first kava experience. He's been drinking kava for well over a decade now, making him the perfect guide.Moose explained to me that it may take a while to feel kava's effects. It's different for everyone, depending on how quickly your liver enzymes metabolize the kava juice.The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, unlike other bars you'll typically find in New York City.The decor is tropical in homage to kava's island origins. You'll find customers working on their computers or socializing with friends at the bar.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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