When you think of yerba mate, you probably picture a warm, steamy, comforting drink. But in Paraguay and northern Argentina, there's a completely different version that's perfect for hot weather: tereré. It's mate with cold water — and once you try it on a hot day, you won't want to go back to the hot version. Here's everything you need to know.
What is Tereré?
Tereré is the cold version of mate, originating in Paraguay and also widely consumed in northern Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia. The name comes from Guaraní and refers to the sound the bombilla (straw) makes when the mate is "washed out" and you only inhale air.
Unlike hot mate, tereré is prepared with very cold water or ice, and often natural fruit juice or medicinal herbs are added to enhance the flavor and energizing effects.
How is it Different from Hot Mate?
| Characteristic | Hot Mate | Tereré |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 70-80°C (hot) | Cold or with ice |
| Flavor | Intense, bitter, herbaceous | Fresh, smooth, fruity |
| Caffeine extraction | Higher (hot water extracts more) | Lower, gentler effect |
| Ideal for | Mornings, concentration | Hot afternoons, cooling down |
| Recommended yerba | With stems, smooth | Stemless, finely ground |
How to Prepare Tereré: The Basic Method
What you'll need:
- Mate gourd (calabash, steel, or glass)
- Bombilla (straw)
- Yerba mate for tereré (Pajarito or similar, stemless)
- Cold water or ice
- Optionally: lemon juice, orange juice, or herbs
Preparation:
- Fill the mate gourd 3/4 full with yerba for tereré.
- Tilt the mate and moisten the base with a little cold water.
- Insert the bombilla into the less full side.
- Prepare your liquid: very cold water with ice and the juice of your choice.
- Pour the cold liquid slowly along the side of the bombilla.
- Enjoy! Continue adding cold liquid with each round.
3 Easy Tereré Recipes for Summer
🍋 Lemon and Mint Tereré (The Classic)
- 1 liter of cold water with ice
- Juice of 2 fresh lemons
- 4-6 fresh mint leaves
- 1 teaspoon of honey (optional)
Mix everything in a pitcher and use this mixture to brew the tereré. The lemon enhances the flavor of the yerba, and the mint makes it incredibly refreshing.
🍊 Orange and Ginger Tereré (Energy Boost)
- 1 liter of cold water with ice
- Juice of 2 medium oranges
- 1 slice of fresh ginger
- A little orange zest
Ginger acts as a booster for the energizing effect of the yerba, and orange gives it a pleasant natural sweetness.
🌿 Boldo and Herb Tereré (The Digestive)
- 1 liter of cold water
- 2 boldo or lemon verbena tea bags
- Spearmint leaves
- Cucumber slices (optional)
Boldo aids digestion and combines perfectly with yerba mate. This is the most traditional recipe from northern Argentina.
What Yerba to Use for Tereré?
The key is to use a stemless and finely ground yerba, as cold water does not extract flavors as efficiently as hot water. We recommend:
- 🇵🇾 Pajarito (Paraguay) — The benchmark for tereré
- 🇵🇾 Kurupí (Paraguay) — Smooth and very popular
- 🇧🇷 Erva-Mate Barão (Brazil) — Finely ground, perfect
Do you have questions about tereré or want to know which kit is best for preparing it? Write to us — we'd be happy to help!