A fizzy, caffeinated drink made with Argentinian yerba mate that’s perfect to serve as a mocktail at your next holiday party. It’s tasty and super easy to make.
Argentinian Yerba Mate
- The yerba mate tree (native to a province of Argentina) produces leaves that can be made into a drink when steeped in water.
- Unlike most herbal teas, yerba mate contains caffeine.
- Argentinian yerba mate is a traditional drink that is sipped out of a gourd through a metal straw with a filter.
- Argentina is the leading producer of yerba mate.
Yerba Mate Health Benefits
- Provides energy boost
Yerba mate contains caffeine (less than coffee, more than tea) so you’ll feel alert and an increase in energy. - Rich source of antioxidants
Antioxidants protect your cells from damage. - Contains lots of vitamins
There’s B vitamins, vitamin C, zinc, potassium, and manganese. - Good for the liver
Yerba mate may protect liver cells.
What You’ll Need
- Argentinian yerba mate
- Rose hibiscus concentrate
My shortcut to making festive drinks without steeping tea. - Lemon flavored soda
- Cocktail shaker
- Mesh strainer
How to Make it
STEP 1: Combine yerba mate, thyme, and water in a cocktail shaker.
Yerba mate, torn up thyme, and water goes into a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds.
STEP 2: Add rose hibiscus concentrate followed by ice into a cup.
Tea Sommelier’s Tip: The hibiscus part of the drink comes from a rose hibiscus concentrate that I’ve used to make rose lattes. It’s a great shortcut to flavoring and coloring a drink.
STEP 3: Strain solids and pour yerba mate into cup.
Yerba mate has some tiny bits that may pass through the strainer so it’s normal to get some small flecks floating around in the drink.
STEP 4: Top drink with lemon flavored soda.
STEP 5: Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
SPARKLING HIBISCUS YERBA MATE TIPS
- Instead of a concentrate, you can use cold hibiscus tea to color and flavor the drink.
- To make the drink more intense, add another teaspoon of yerba mate into the cocktail shaker.
- Instead of clear soda, you can use ginger ale or ginger beer, but the color of the drink will be a darker red.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
It’s pronounced YER-BAH MAH-TEH.
It tastes vegetal, earthy, and has some bitterness to it. Sweetening or adding lime can completely change the flavor though.
Yes! Yerba mate contains caffeine and makes a great alternative to tea or coffee. Like matcha green tea, yerba mate releases a sustained, even level of alertness without the jittery feeling I get from coffee.
Related
- Yerba Mate Tea in 5 Easy Steps
- How to Make Rooibos Tea Properly
- How to Make Chamomile Tea Properly
- How to Make Herbal Tea Properly
Sparkling Hibiscus Yerba Mate
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup lemon flavored soda
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons rose hibiscus concentrate
- 1 teaspoon yerba mate
- 2 sprigs thyme
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine yerba mate, thyme, and water in a cocktail shaker.
Shake for 15 seconds. - Add rose hibiscus concentrate followed by ice into a cup.
- Strain solids and pour yerba mate into cup.
- Top drink with lemon flavored soda.
- Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
In collaboration with The National Institute of Yerba Mate. All words, photos, and opinions are mine, as always.
Ohh how exciting is this!!!
I found your blog by Googling about Pinterest strategies for food bloggers, and I end up reading about mate and hibiscus in a sparkling drink!!! I’m Argentinean and drink mate every single day, either morning or afternoon. Loving your ideas, design and everything! You just got another loyal follower 🙂
Cheers from Melbourne, Australia, my current home.
Hi Paula, happy you found this blog! Thanks for reading!
It is a really easy to prepare and very refreshing drink. I tried hot hibiscus tea before, it has an interesting smell and of fruity-floral taste, I liked it, but I did not know that there are other options for drinks from hibiscus. It is very interesting. I adore your blog for interesting solutions and original recipes! Thanks you.
Thanks so much Ann!!