The Best Ways to Drink Yerba Mate
For thousands of years, yerba mate has been known as a drink rich in history that brings friends together. The traditional ceremony starts with a circle of people. The cebador (server) fills the gourd about two-thirds full of loose-leaf yerba mate and adds a small amount of warm water. Finally, the cebador inserts the bombilla (filtering straw) at an angle 🧉 and tops off the gourd with hot – not boiling – water (we don’t want to burn the yerba mate!). Once ready, the cebador passes the gourd around the group and will top up the water when low.
Of course, yerba mate does not require a group of friends to be enjoyed. Locals enjoy it daily as North Americans do coffee. Enjoying loose leaf at home in a cup or gourd can be done with your own bombilla or by using a reusable tea infuser to contain the leaves. Sometimes sugar, milk and/or flavors are added for taste!
French presses are a great option for preparing yerba mate. Add 6-8 grams of yerba mate per cup of water, add a small amount of warm water, then top up with hot water and steep for 3-4 minutes before pressing down the plunger. This method skips the straw while still enjoying the rich flavor of yerba mate. Of course, you can continue to top up your French press leaves with hot water.
On the go? Tea bags are a no-fuss, no-mess option for a single serving. Following the same process of adding a small amount of warm water, topping up with hot water, and then steeping for 3-4 minutes. If you’re looking to spruce up your routine, we recommend trying our lemon tea bags – it’s a simple blend of our 100% organic yerba mate and natural lemon oil.
Cold drinks are popular around the world and yerba mate is no different! Try SABADOS cold brew or our twist on the classic with fruit over ice:
SABADOS cold brew yerba mate for one
What you’ll need:
- 8-12 oz of cold water
- 6 g of SABADOS loose leaf yerba mate or 2 SABADOS yerba mate tea bags
How to make it:
Combine water and tea, cover and refrigerate overnight, minimum 12 hours.
Strain leaves or remove tea bags and enjoy.
Looking for a little sweetness? Add some honey!
SABADOS fruity iced yerba mate to share
What you’ll need:
- 8 cups of hot water
- 1/3 cup of SABADOS loose leaf yerba mate
- 2 cups of orange juice
- 1 cup of frozen fruit (assorted)
How to make it:
In the bottom of a large pitcher, add a small amount of warm water to the yerba mate leaves, then add the hot water. Let steep for 5 minutes.
Strain leaves, cover and refrigerate until cold.
Stir in orange juice and frozen fruit. Serve over ice.
