The Lemon Drop is a classic for a reason—bright, tart, and refreshing—but the standard recipe can be overly sweet. What’s even worse is a standard lemon drop mocktail … you know, when you ask for a mocktail, and your server suggests ordering a lemon drop without the vodka? That’s basically concentrated lemonade.
This non-alcoholic version keeps the spirit of the original while layering in more nuanced citrus flavor to create a Lemon Drop that’s balanced, but more tart than sweet. Yuzu juice adds sharp, floral acidity, and Meyer lemon syrup rounds it out with gentle sweetness. Kava Haven, a lemon-forward kava* spirit, replaces vodka to bring depth, a pleasantly dry finish, and the mellow buzz of kava root. A few dashes of our Orange Cardamom bitters stand in for triple sec, adding lift without extra sugar. The result is vibrant, zesty, and surprisingly complex—a modern non-alcoholic Lemon Drop that’s even better than the original.
You can absolutely make this with standard lemon juice instead of yuzu, or simple syrup in place of Meyer lemon syrup—but this is our favorite version.
*Kava is not recommended during pregnancy or with certain medications.
This bright, tart non-alcoholic Lemon Drop swaps vodka for the mellow buzz of Kava Haven.
Ingredients
1 ½ oz Kava Haven
¾ oz yuzu juice (or lemon juice)
¾ oz Meyer lemon syrup (or simple syrup)
7 dashes ATB Orange Cardamom Bitters
Directions
Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake hard for 6-8 seconds.
Strain into a sugar rimmed coupe glass and garnish with a lemon twist.
Recipe Note
CITRUS SUBSTITUTIONS
Fresh yuzu juice can be expensive and hard to find. We use Yuzuco’s super juice because it's affordable and flavorful, but you can easily use lemon juice instead. Likewise, Meyer lemon syrup adds a wonderful citrus layer to this drink, but regular simple syrup is a perfectly good swap. The proportions stay the same either way; you’ll just get a slightly different shade of citrus character.
WHAT IS KAVA HAVEN?
Kava Haven is a non-alcoholic spirit made with kava root and natural flavor extracts. It has citrus, vanilla, ginger, and cardamom notes that work beautifully in cocktails and deliver a subtle buzz without alcohol. It's also one of our favorite spirits to sip chilled by itself.
WHAT IS A KAVA BUZZ LIKE?
Think of it like the feeling after your first drink—warm, tingly, relaxed, and happy. You feel social and calm, but not intoxicated. No sloppy energy, no bad decisions—just a mellow lift.
Note: Kava isn’t for everyone. It’s not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and may interact with medications that affect the liver or nervous system—like antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or sleep aids. If you’re in recovery, it may or may not be a good fit depending on your goals. Always check with your doctor if you’re unsure.
MORE KAVA MOCKTAILS
If you’re into kava drinks, check out our Kava Mule for another tasty non-alcoholic cocktail packed with a ton of flavor and a buzz without alcohol.
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