Lava Cola -officially Lava Cola - Vanuatu Kava Cola[1]- is a cola drink produced in Vanuatu by Vanuatu Beverage Ltd.. It contains a kava lactone additive - kava consumption being traditionally important in western Pacific nations.[2][3]
Lava Cola has been described as an "anti-energy beverage". Australian media have noted that it "produces the calming effect of kava without the muddy taste" - adding that, while kava itself is an acquired taste, Lava Cola may well be suitable for export.[4]
The Cola began as a syrupy "water-based kava extract" developed by Australian-born James Armitage in 2009. He then successfully approached Vanuatu Beverage to suggest blending it with cola. The watery kava syrup is "added to cola in a proportion of 15 millilitres to a bottle of 330ml". The drink is now produced in a factory on the outskirts of Port Vila, the country's capital. It went into production for the domestic market in October 2009.[5][6]
Lava Cola uses kava produced on the island of Maewo, which has generated an increase in revenues for local producers.[7]
Vanuatu Beverage hopes to export the drink first to Fiji and New Caledonia, then to a wider market.[8][9][10]