Mixed Plate Special - ‘Awa in a bottle

‘Awa in a bottle

Saturday, September 08 2007

In the next few weeks, FLOAT Beverages will roll out a new locally brewed and bottled beverage: Awa2O, an ‘awa (kava) drink infused with ginger and mint. According to FLOAT founder Steve George, the idea was conceived to “help busy people move beyond their busy days” with a relaxing and sociable drink.

“Being in Hawai‘i, kava was naturally our choice for an active ingredient, but making it taste good proved to be a challenge,” explains Steve, who says the mission of FLOAT Beverages is to support healthy, balanced lives by offering functional beverages that promote well being. “From a small rental studio in Mänoa, we mixed kava with everything from Dr. Pepper to orange juice and came out with our formula today—ginger, mint.”

The ‘awa in Awa2O comes from the Big Island. Working out of a commercial kitchen in Waipahu until they secure their own equipment, the makers start with a proprietary blend of kava that is carefully emulsified with the other ingredients: purified water, fructose, natural ginger and mint extract. The drink is then pasteurized, bottled and sealed.

Awa2O has a shelf life of six months. Currently, ginger-mint is the only flavor, but Steve says they are experimenting with additional flavors for the future. He hopes retail outlets like Down to Earth, ‘Umeke Market and Tamura’s will carry the new boutique beverage. The 16-ounce bottle has a suggested retail price of $3.69. The social lubricant costs less than you’d pay for a premium beer at a bar—with quite a few upsides: no booze breath, no beer-goggling, and no hangover.

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Jonathan said:

FYI. Float along with other 'awa vendors will be at the Hawaii'i Pacific Islands Kava Festival, http://kavafestival.org

September 13, 2007 - 09:59AM

Steve said:

A long wait in the making, I wanted to introduce a follow-up product to the Awa 2 O product that I had previously. It is called Ozia and currently sold on Oahu by Kalipso Blue. Great feeling and taste!

www.drinkozia.com

July 21, 2008 - 04:57PM

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