The potent benefits of kratom are overshadowed by one challenging fact: its bitter flavour. Kratom has an intensely earthy, bitter, and often unpalatable taste. Tossing and washing with powder or brewing tea is the simplest and most common method, but they don’t have to be your only option. In this era of innovation, kratom is available in various forms such as tablets, gummies, capsules, and more.
But some people still prefer drinkable ways due to the enjoyable experience and transformation of boring chores into a pleasant ritual. In this article, we will help you learn how to make a kratom drink, whether you are starting with raw powder or pre-made liquid extracts. Let’s learn the idea of strategic flavour pairing, texture management, and a bit of kitchen creativity.
Why Kratom Tastes So Bitter
Kratom’s flavour profile is due to the high concentration of alkaloids, the same compounds responsible for producing strong effects. Kratom has a potent bitterness with a strong, earthy, grassy flavour, with sometimes tannic notes. The flavour is similar to over-brewed matcha or very concentrated green tea. The reason to make a drink with kratom is not to completely erase its flavour but to make it possible to consume while effectively masking the bitter taste. It is only possible if complemented with other powerful tastes.
Foundational Method
First, you need to learn the art of making basic tea without the grit. The simplest way is to brew tea. This method is easier on the stomach without consuming any excess plant material.
- Start by simmering kratom powder with 2 to 3 cups of water and the juice of half a lemon to help extract alkaloids. Do not boil; just gently simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. After simmering, strain thoroughly using a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer into your cup. This process leaves you with a smooth liquid of kratom, which can be used to create multiple drinks.
- In this process, you can counteract the bitterness by adding any sweet and strong ingredient, such as honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. You can also use a flavoured tea bag, such as ginger, mint, chai, or strong black breakfast tea, during the simmering stage to change its taste and create a more complex profile.
Delicious Drink Recipes
Here is a list of recipes to treat your taste buds while also enjoying the kratom benefits.
1. The Citrus Blaster
This recipe masks bitterness with acid & sweetness.
- Start by preparing a base of Kratom tea using a strained or direct powder method.
- Combine with 8 oz of orange juice, strong lemonade, or grapefruit juice. Citrus flavours are best for masking the bitter flavour as their sweetness balances the earthy notes effectively.
- Tip: If you use a blender bottle or a handheld milk frother, your drink will be clump-free with fully incorporated powder.
2. The Tropical Smoothie
Tropical smoothie is another great recipe with texture and flavour overload. We can say that this is arguably the most effective method for palatability.
- Start by adding your k powder to a blender.
- Add a handful of frozen mango, banana, and pineapple chunks along with coconut milk, or yoghurt, and a drizzle of honey. Blend until completely smooth. The thick and cold texture with explosive sweet taste from tropical fruits makes the kratom drink flavourful yet undetectable.
- If you use ripe bananas, it will add more creaminess and sweetness.
3. The Creamy Chai Latte
You can also make a creamy chai latte for a strong yet creamy, earthy flavour.
- Brew your kratom powder with a cup of water as described above, but include a bag of spiced chai tea during the simmering process.
- Strain into a mug and top with frothed oat, almond, or regular milk. You can also add a spoonful of sugar or vanilla syrup. The spices in chai tea bags, such as cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, naturally complement the earthy flavour of kratom and the creaminess from milk, making the drink more palatable.
4. The Chocolate Savior
You can also prepare a powerful drink with chocolate to mask the bitterness of kratom.
- Start by preparing a base of kratom powder or prepared tea. Mix 8 oz of chocolate milk or a chocolate protein shake into your prepared tea and mix well.
- Chocolate is a strong and bold flavour that pairs surprisingly well with bitter-profile powders. For a warm option, you can also mix kratom powder into a rich hot chocolate.
Working with Concentrates: Kratom Shots and Liquid Kratom
These days, kratom is also available in pre-made liquid forms or potent kratom shots, which makes the process much simpler. Rooted (Kava and Kratom Alkaloids) shots by ON7 provide you with the premium kava and advanced alkaloid blend, which is a fast-acting formula to help you unwind, stay clear, and feel uplifted without jitters or a crash.
These shots are available in 3 unique and tempting flavours: Peach Mango, Lemon Fizz, and Strawberry Cream, for only $9.99. These 60ml shots contain 150mg Kava and 60mg Alkaloids (Mitragynine and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl). There are two common ways to consume liquid kratom.
The Chaser Method:
In this method, you will take a small concentrated shot quickly and chase it immediately with a strong-flavored fruit (citrus), chocolate milk, or a sip of coffee.
The Dilution Method:
In the dilution method, you will mix the entire liquid kratom extract into a large flavoured beverage such as sweet iced tea, fruit juice blend, or lemonade, stir well, and drink at your leisure.
Pro-Tips for Success
- Cold beverages naturally suppress bitterness, and kratom suits iced versions of drinks more than hot ones.
- Sweeteners are non-negotiable as they work best against bitterness. You can add honey, simple syrup, or flavoured syrups.
- Acidic juices, such as citrus juices like those in lemonade, not only extract alkaloids but also provide a sharp, bold flavor that distracts from bitterness.
- If you are using powder kratom, always use a shaker cup with a metal whisk ball, a small electric frother, or a blender bottle to prevent clumps, providing a smoother texture to your drink.