The Numbers Don't Lie
Gen Z is drinking less alcohol than any generation in recorded history. Gallup reports adults under 35 who drink dropped from 72% to 62% in the last two decades. A 2023 study found 1 in 3 Gen Z adults identify as "sober curious." The hashtag #SoberCurious has over 500 million views on TikTok.
This isn't a trend. It's a generational shift.
Why Are They Stopping?
Because they did the math their parents didn't:
- Mental health — alcohol is a depressant that worsens anxiety and disrupts serotonin. A generation that grew up talking about mental health isn't going to poison the thing they're trying to protect.
- Sleep — alcohol destroys REM sleep. They tracked it on their Oura rings and Apple Watches. The data is right there on their wrist.
- Performance — they're building side hustles, going to the gym at 5am, optimizing everything. A hangover is a productivity tax they refuse to pay.
- Social media — nobody wants to be on camera slurring. The drunk selfie era is over.
- They saw what it did to their parents — the fights, the hangovers, the mornings nobody remembers. They chose different.
So What Are They Drinking?
Kava. The same plant Pacific Islanders have used for 3,000 years in ceremony, community, and celebration — without a single recorded death.
It binds to GABA-A receptors (same system as anti-anxiety medication) and produces real relaxation, real sociability, real euphoria — without the addiction, the calories, the hangover, or the 3am anxiety spiral.
Kava bars are opening in every major city. New York. LA. Austin. Miami. Portland. And right here on Maui, at Aumakua.
How to Prepare Kava
Instant Kava
- 2.5 tsp instant kava per 4 oz water per shot
- Stir or shake — no straining needed
- Drink as a shot or sip over ice
- For recipes — add directly to the drink, no water needed
Traditional Method
- Place 4g of kava per serving in a fine mesh strainer bag
- Knead and squeeze in warm (not hot) water — 4 oz per serving
- Mix for 5-10 minutes until muddy brown
- Drink in half-cup shots — 1 or 2 quick gulps
- Wait 10 minutes before your next serving
Blender method: Blend kava + water 4 minutes, strain and chill.
Note: Hot water destroys kavalactones. Always use warm or room temp.
How much? Kava has a reverse tolerance — first few times, drink a bit more. We recommend 3-5 shots, up to 8-10 for deeper effects.
Extract Dosage
- Extract powder: 1/8 tsp per serving
- Liquid extract: 1 dropper full (1g) per serving
Recipes From Our Bar
Blue Hawaii (Kava Colada)
- 4 oz organic pineapple juice
- 2 oz organic coconut milk
- 1/8 tsp kava extract powder (or 1 dropper liquid extract, or 2.5 tsp instant kava)
- 1/4 tsp blue spirulina
- Dash of citrus bitters + orgeat
- Blend with ice or serve over ice
Aumakua Ice Coffee
- 10 oz cold brew
- 2 tsp sugar
- 2 oz milk or heavy cream
- 1/8 tsp kava extract powder (or 1 dropper liquid extract)
- 1 large scoop of ice
- Shake or blend
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in a dry, cool and dark place.
Do not mix with alcohol. May cause drowsiness. Consult a medical professional before use if pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications.