I tried a cup of kava, the magical South Pacific drink that some say could replace alcohol - here's what it was like

Kava drinks - often referred to as "kava tea" - are made from the roots of a plant grown in the South Pacific, and they're known for their purported anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

When ground up and mixed with water, the root turns into a juice that some claim can be a natural alternative to alcohol. It has been used for thousands of years as a ceremonial and social drink in the South Pacific.

Basically, the drink mimics alcohol's relaxing and sedative effects without the downsides - no extreme emotions, no memory loss, and no hangover. Tech Insider previously reported on kava's key compound, kavain, which mimics a sedative and triggers relaxation in the body. It works as a muscle relaxer, so while you're mentally alert, you feel physically loose.

Some people even claim that drinking kava makes them feel high.

The drink has made its way to the US, and is now being served at six KavaSutra bars across the country. Last Friday, I stopped by the New York City location to see if this magical drink was worth the hype.