If you’re one of the many people giving Dry January a try, you might be interested in searching out alcohol-free alternatives that still give you some sort of “effect.” Seltzers that contain Kratom or Kava give you the feeling of “having a drink” without the alcohol or sugar. The problem is, these things usually taste awful. Enter Mitra-9, an alcohol-free seltzer with powerful kratom and kava, that actually tastes good.

I was sent a complimentary sample pack of Mitra-9 to test out and review. I tried both the kava and kratom and got more of a chill sort of buzz from the kratom, so my review is more focused on the kratom seltzers. I also liked the flavor options of the kratom ones better. The kava ones were good, but more subtle and made my upper lip/nose feel a little numb.

Click here to try Mitra-9 and Save 20% with code sewgeeky (*affiliate link)

or you can also find them on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3vSTZh4 (discount code only works on website though)

I’ve previously tried kratom in a shot and seltzer by VIVAZEN. I liked the effect, but the taste can only be described as godawful bitterness. It was just…bad. So, I was very interested in seeing what Mitra-9 tasted like.

Mitra-9 actually tastes really good! So good, in fact, that on my second taste-test I did a big kratom no-no and drank the whole can rather fast and ended up barfing. We’ll revisit that later. The effects of a little kratom can be great, but you can get too much a good thing and then it really sucks.

What is Kava and Kratom?

For centuries, Kava, also known as kava-kava, has held a significant cultural presence in the western Pacific, where its roots are harnessed to create a beverage celebrated for its calming and relaxing effects. There are several different types of kava, each with their own unique attributes.

Mitra9 sources high-quality kava from various partners in the Pacific islands. Rigorous testing and production practices for purity and potency ensure a constant and quality product.

Kratom is currently rising in popularity and has been the more controversial of the two.

Kratom is an herbal extract from the leaves of an evergreen tree (Mitragyna speciosa) grown in Southeast Asia. The extract can be made into a liquid product that is often marketed as a treatment for muscle pain, relaxation or energy, depending on the dosage.

Kratom leaves contain two major psychoactive ingredients (mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine) and the extract is believed to act on opioid receptors. At low doses, it acts as a stimulant, making users feel more energetic. At higher doses, it reduces pain and may bring on euphoria. At too high a dose, it can be dangerous, and it is possible to overdose on kratom.

Drink Responsibly

When you first try anything with kratom, drink it slow. Make sure you aren’t trying it on an empty stomach. I thought I’d try Mitra-9 while making dinner, so I went in hungry and drank the Dragonfruit seltzer a bit too fast. It was just really yummy, and I wasn’t paying attention to how much I’d drank before I finished off the whole can.

The previous night I had tried the Raspberry Lime seltzer and it gave me a nice buzzy energy, without any jitters or side effects. I sipped it slow, over the course of about two hours, which is the recommended way to indulge. I recommend trying half a can first and waiting to see how it affects you.

I knew I’d drank it too fast when the Jell-O legs kicked in and I started to feel weird, not good. About 30 minutes later I felt really sick and threw up. The awful feeling continued for a couple hours. It was like I’d given myself an instant hangover.

It took me about a week before I got over that incident to try the rest of the flavors. Lesson learned- don’t drink it fast! It’s much easier to remember to sip when the stuff tastes awful, but Mitra-9 tastes good and makes me want to drink it down like a regular energy drink.

Mitra-9 as an Alcohol Alternative

I will be honest- I enjoy having a drink and getting a little relaxing buzz after a long day. I often have a drink while making dinner. Add in dinners out and social events and next thing I know I’ve been drinking every day and starting to feel like I need to dry out a bit.

Mitra-9 is alcohol, sugar and caffeine-free, and comes in a lot of tasty flavors. I have tried a lot of drinks that claim certain effects, and they usually don’t live up to the hype. When I first tried kratom, I was shocked that you can really feel it. And then of course I tested the limits of how much I could indulge and once you do that with kratom, you don’t want to go there again.

If you are considering a drink like Mitra-9 to replace or reduce your alcohol consumption, keep in mind that it’s a sipping drink. If you normally sip wine or cocktails, it’s a good replacement. If you tend to slam one beer after another, anything with kratom is not a good option. It’s too easy to overindulge. And with kratom, you don’t get the fun part before the barfing part.

Is Kratom Legal?

The legal status of kratom differs across countries and states. While kratom is legal at the federal level in the U.S., certain states, towns and counties have enacted their own laws banning kratom in some areas. Even within Florida, where I live, it’s legal everywhere except Sarasota County.

Mitra-9 has a good reference page to check the kratom laws in every state: https://mitra-9.com/blogs/news/kratom-and-kava-legalities-by-state

Kratom is not considered a controlled substance, but the DEA has listed kratom as a Drug and Chemical of Concern. It is easy to take too much, which is why I’ve tried to be very honest about this review and include both my good and bad experiences trying kratom.

As with anything, indulge responsibly! Take it slow, sip and enjoy.

Click here to try Mitra-9 and Save 20% with code sewgeeky