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Leilo vs. Mitra9

Two popular kava brands, compared on what's in them, how you drink them, and what you pay.

By The Functional Sip · Updated October 2, 2026
Two zero-proof drinks with citrus and cucumber
The short answer
Choose Leilo for stick packs with more kava extract per serving (1,000 mg blend). Choose Mitra9 if you want the kavalactone dose printed (150 mg) and a choice of cans or mixes. For the best-tasting kava can, we'd pick Botanical Brewing's Orange Dream over both.
Our quick picks
Best kava can overall
Kava Orange Dream · from $36
Shop now
Best stick pack
Leilo Berry Kava Drink Mix
See on Amazon
Best seltzer with dose listed
Mitra9 Paradise Lychee Kava Seltzer
See on Amazon
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The quick comparison

LeiloMitra9
FormatsStick packs (and cans)Seltzers and stick packs
Kava per serving1,000 mg kava root extract blend (stick)500 mg kava extract, 150 mg kavalactones
Calories5 per stickVaries by product
FlavorsBerry, lemon limeLemonade, orange dreamsicle, strawberry watermelon, paradise lychee, island punch
PriceAbout $25 for 10 sticksAbout $30 per seltzer 4-pack; about $20 per mix box

Leilo

Leilo's strength is its stick packs: 1,000 mg of a kava root extract blend per stick, 5 calories, no sugar, sweetened with stevia. Stir one into 12 to 16 oz of cold water. It's the better pick if you want a mix and care about the amount of extract.

See Leilo on AmazonAffiliate link: we may earn a commission.

Mitra9

Mitra9 is more transparent about dose: their kava seltzers and mixes list 500 mg of kava extract with 150 mg of kavalactones, the active compounds in kava. They also have more flavors and both cans and mixes.

See Mitra9 on AmazonAffiliate link: we may earn a commission.

Which should you buy?

Leilo for portable stick packs. Mitra9 for label transparency and flavor variety.

The can we'd buy over both

If you're buying kava to drink at home, the best-tasting can we've found is Botanical Brewing's Kava Orange Dream: bright sparkling orange, a soft kava finish, 50 calories and zero alcohol. It's our #1 kava drink of 2026.

Questions people ask

Which has more kava, Leilo or Mitra9?

Leilo's sticks list a 1,000 mg kava extract blend; Mitra9 lists 500 mg of extract with 150 mg of kavalactones. Leilo doesn't list kavalactones, so a direct comparison isn't possible.

Is Leilo or Mitra9 cheaper?

Per serving, the stick packs from both brands cost less than cans.

What's the best-tasting kava can?

Our pick is Botanical Brewing Co. Kava Orange Dream.

For adults 21+. Don't mix with alcohol.

Orange Dream
from $36
Shop now