I think
@VictoryRider has some good points.
IMO, it depends on what you consider recreation. If you think relaxation is recreational, then kava will likely be recreational. I hate to think that recreation is just about getting stupid...
I would like to think that drinking some grog, listening to music, and drifting off to sleep is a recreational activity for me. While the kava is playing a role, it's not only about the kava. I wouldn't consider drinking kava and then doing absolutely nothing very recreational, but I also wouldn't consider drinking alcohol followed by doing nothing very recreational either. It would take a very powerful drug to put you in such a stupor that youre content with laying about and doing literally no other activities.
I think your mindset is going I be the biggest indicator for whether kava is recreational for you. If recreation is getting stupid, kava isn't for you. If recreation can involve some sort of relaxation or exploring an altered state of mind, then you might consider kava recreational.
As for the comparison to alcohol, I think there's something psychologically pleasing about sitting down and slowly sipping a fine, single malt scotch or a small glass of red wine. For me, that really beats the experience of chugging down a tall cup of grog. That said, I really enjoy the relaxation and sleep improvements I get from kava, and I'll never get those uplifting benefits from booze.