When the laptop closes and the golden hour hits, the vibe shifts. You want a drink that feels sophisticated, complex, and refreshing to wind down the day. But what if you want the ritual of a crafted cocktail without the alcohol or the sugary hangover?
Enter the "Sober-Curious" movement’s best-kept secret: loose-leaf Yerba Mate.
While you might know mate as your ultimate morning productivity tool, its earthy, herbaceous flavor profile makes it a brilliant botanical base for mixology. It brings the same depth and gentle bitterness that you’d normally get from a premium gin or an amaro, paired with a clean, uplifting energy that keeps the conversation flowing all night.
It’s time to take your yerba beyond the bombilla. Here are three stunning, easy-to-make mate mocktails for your next summer evening.
The Secret Weapon: Cold-Brewed Mate Concentrate
Before we start shaking and stirring, you need to prepare your base. Instead of brewing mate hot (which can turn bitter when iced too quickly), we are going to cold-brew it. This extracts the smooth, sweet, and floral notes of the leaf.
How to make it:
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Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of your favorite loose-leaf yerba mate into a French press or a large mason jar.
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Pour 2 cups of cold, filtered water over the leaves.
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Let it steep in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight for maximum strength).
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Plunge or strain the liquid. You now have a potent, gorgeous amber concentrate ready for the bar!
The Mate Ginger Mule (Spicy & Energizing)
A South American twist on the classic Moscow Mule. The fiery kick of ginger perfectly balances the earthy notes of the mate, creating a fiercely refreshing drink.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Cold-Brewed Mate Concentrate
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3 oz High-quality Ginger Beer (non-alcoholic)
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½ oz Fresh lime juice
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Ice (crushed is best)
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Garnish: A lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.
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The Method: Fill a copper mug or a lowball glass with crushed ice. Pour in the lime juice and the mate concentrate. Top it off with the ginger beer and give it a gentle stir. Slap the mint sprig against your hand to release the oils, drop it in, and enjoy the perfect balance of spice and earth.
The Patagonian Sunset Spritz (Tart & Aromatic)
Visually stunning and incredibly sophisticated. This mocktail mimics the complexity of an Aperol Spritz, using the bitterness of tonic water and the tartness of grapefruit.
Ingredients:
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2 oz Cold-Brewed Mate Concentrate
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2 oz Fresh pink grapefruit juice
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2 oz Premium Indian Tonic Water
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A dash of agave syrup (optional, if you like it sweeter)
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Ice cubes
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Garnish: A slice of grapefruit and a sprig of fresh rosemary.
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The Method: Fill a large wine glass with plenty of ice. Add the mate concentrate, grapefruit juice, and agave. Stir well to combine. Top with the tonic water. Garnish with the grapefruit slice and the rosemary sprig. The piney aroma of the rosemary mixed with the yerba is pure magic.
The Botanical Smash (Crisp & Herbal)
If you are a fan of Gin & Tonics or Mojitos, this is your new go-to. It’s ultra-hydrating, herbaceous, and exactly what you want in your hand during a heatwave.
Ingredients:
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2.5 oz Cold-Brewed Mate Concentrate
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½ oz Lemon juice
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3-4 slices of fresh cucumber
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5 fresh basil leaves
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Splash of sparkling water
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Ice
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The Method: In a cocktail shaker, muddle the cucumber slices and basil leaves with the lemon juice until crushed and fragrant. Add the mate concentrate and a handful of ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds. Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice. Top with a splash of sparkling water and garnish with a cucumber ribbon.
Cheers to Better Evenings
Mixology doesn't need to involve alcohol to be elevated. By treating your loose-leaf yerba mate as a premium botanical ingredient, you open up a whole new world of flavor profiles that are good for your body and your mind.
Ready to play bartender? Grab a fresh bag of our Premium Yerba Mate and start cold-brewing your way to the perfect summer evening.