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Kava is the traditional Samoan intoxicant. It is made from the root of a pepper plant (Piper Myristhium) which is ground up and mixed with water and served from a traditional many legged kava bowl (imagine Stonhenge supporting a huge bowl that touches the ground in the middle, that should give you some idea of its shape). It looks like muddy water and has a slightly medicinal taste to it. It is usually consumed in huge quantities because it's effects are very mild, inducing a degree loquatiousness and a slight numbness to the tongue, lips and gums.
You can find it on sale at the market by the bus station, usually being consumed by a number of elderly men. Ready cut kava root and powdered kava is available from both markets in Apia, but I was advised by a local kava grower that you should not buy the kava powder because it could already have been used and will not be as strong as the root.
You can also purchase kava bowls at the old market in the center of Apia.
Niu
Niu are young coconuts that have not yet ripend. The inside of the niu is FULL of coconut milk. Once the husk has been removed it is served in one of two ways, either by cutting the top of with a few deft blows of a machete or by removing the soft material from the eyes of the coconut. The drink itself does not taste of very much and is only slightly sweet but it is probably the most refreshing drink you can find in the hot and humid tropics.
Vailima
Vailima is the locally brewed Samoan beer. The brewery is located just outside Apia and produces a golden german style pilsner that is somewhat metallic in taste. Because all bottles have to be imported do not be surprised if the bottle your beer comes served in looks as if it has seen better days. All bottles are recycled, so please do not throw away or break the beer bottles.
Koko Samoa
It is said that Robert Louis Stevenson's wife was responsible for introducing cocoa to Samoa. It has now become a commonly cultivated crop and is very widely drunk. It is prepared as a paste that is left to dry and solidify in small blocks. When being made up into a drink bits of cocoa are hacked of the blocks and coarsely ground up, added to water and boiled in a pan. It is served much stronger than drinking chocolate, normally without milk and there is a lot of sediment in the glass or cup. Expect to find it hard to go to sleep after drinking Koko Samoa.