The Buzz Without the Hangover: How Kaviva is Redefining the 5-to-9 Unwind

(Photo By @AustinLifestyleMagazine via Instagram)

AUSTIN (Austin Fitness Community) - For years, the social contract of a night out came with a predictable clause: the morning-after misery. But for Spencer McManes, founder of Kaviva, that price became too high.

Following a heavy night of drinking, McManes found himself battling a severe bout of "hangxiety" and decided to audit his life.

"I wrote down all the 'good' things in my life in one column and all the 'bad' things in another," McManes recalls. "It became shockingly clear that all of the bad things traced directly back to alcohol... I wouldn’t accept that alcohol was the best social beverage humankind could offer."

McManes is not alone in that realization. He is part of a massive cultural shift that is seeing Americans rethink their relationship with booze. According to recent data from Gallup, U.S. drinking rates have hit a new low as concerns over alcohol’s health effects surge.

Time reports that Gen Z is leading the charge, drinking significantly less than previous generations, while a Circana study identifies the rise of a "sober-curious nation," where consumers are actively seeking alternatives that don't require total abstinence, but do offer a break from the bottle.

Finding the "Sweet Spot"

McManes’ search for a better social lubricant led him to his rugby teammates, who introduced him to Kava, a root traditionally consumed in the South Pacific.

"I found it was the exact ‘buzz’ I was looking for – social yet relaxing, noticeable yet controllable," McManes says.

This discovery birthed Kaviva, a kava-infused seltzer designed to solve a specific problem: "People want something different during their 5pm-9pm than they had during their 9am-5pm," McManes explains.

(Photo By Kaviva)

The Taste, The Tingle, The Calm

For the uninitiated, the kava experience can be mysterious. Traditional kava tea is known for an earthy, bitter taste often likened to dirt. Kaviva was engineered to bypass that hurdle with a crisp profile, but it retains the plant's signature physical cue.

"After a sip or two, you’ll notice your mouth has a gentle tingle to it," McManes says. "This is critical... because it feels like they’re doing a vice."

Following the tingle comes what McManes calls the "calm." Unlike alcohol, which depresses the central nervous system and removes inhibition, kava works on GABA receptors to produce a "zen-state." Users feel social and relaxed but remain entirely in control. "It changes how you feel (reducing anxiety and tension) rather than changing what you see," McManes clarifies, distinguishing the root from psychedelics or the addictive substance Kratom, with which it is often confused.

The Future of the Night Out

The rise of functional beverages like Kaviva suggests a changing landscape for bars and venues. McManes notes that the growing awareness of alcohol’s health risks—including the World Health Organization listing it as a Group 1 carcinogen—is driving people toward "off-ramps" from drinking.

"We can expect for the whole world to stop drinking 'cold-turkey' overnight," McManes admits. However, he views Kaviva as a tool for inclusivity, allowing the designated driver or the sober-curious patron to participate in the ritual of a "social drink" without the regret.

"One of the biggest things you’ll notice is the next morning," McManes says. "No hangover, no drunk texts, no regrets."

As Gen Z continues to opt out of traditional drinking culture, brands like Kaviva aren't just selling a beverage; they are selling a new way to socialize—one where the good times don't require a bad morning.

For More Information on Kaviva, See Links Below! Website: https://enjoykaviva.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enjoykaviva/?hl=en