4 Mate Cocktail Recipes

Looking for an alternative to making classic mate ? Here's a list of four cocktails that will let you enjoy the flavors of mate and wow the crowd at parties.

How to use yerba mate as a cocktail ingredient?

There are several ways to use yerba mate in a cocktail:

1. Using a yerba mate syrup : Many cocktails (mate pisco sours, mate Manhattans, etc.) are made with a yerba mate syrup. To make this type of syrup, simply boil a mixture of water, sugar, and yerba mate (in a 1-1-1 ratio).
2. Infuse the leaves in alcohol : Letting yerba mate steep for a day or two in a bottle of alcohol can result in a surprisingly flavorful drink.
3. Add the leaves directly to the cocktail : The simplest solution, but it is not widely used because you would have to drink the cocktail with a bombilla so as not to swallow the yerba leaves.
4. Adding alcohol directly to the gourd : Called “mate con malicia” in Chile, adding pure alcohol to the gourd is a traditional practice (one you won’t find in a bar!).
5. Using a mate infusion : The most practical solution, infusion allows you to make different types of cocktails with ease. The different cocktails we propose in this article are all made with infusion . Don't know how to do it? Discover how to make a mate infusion .
6. Use a mate-based drink (like Club Maté) : The various cocktails mentioned in this article are also excellent natural alternatives to Club-Maté cocktails .

1. Iced Horchata with Mate

A popular drink in Mexico and the Valencia region of Spain, here is a very Argentinian version of horchata!

1. Mix almond milk, cinnamon honey, and vanilla extract.
2. Add some mate infusion (very cold!).
3. Add a little spiced rum and ice.
4. Optional: Add a piece of cinnamon.

2. The Mate Cooler

This simple drink is extremely refreshing. Perfect for summer!

1. Serve 6cl of mate infusion.
2. Add 6cl of grapefruit juice.
3. Add 6cl of tequila.
4. Add ginger syrup and a few drops of lemon juice.
5. Add a little sparkling water.

3. Carlos Gardel

The Carlos Gardel is a cocktail named after the Argentine tango composer of the same name. It's basically a simple vodka and orange, but with a bit more flavor.

1. Pour in 2cl of vodka.
2. Add mate infusion and orange juice (50/50).
3. Add a few drops of lemon juice.

4. The “Mate-me, por favor ”

Popular in São Paulo , Brazil, "Mate-me, por favor" (not a bad pun, right?) is a drink that uses the very sweet base found in the famous caipirinha.

1. Serve 2cl of vodka.
2. Add half a lemon.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of sugar and a few ice cubes.
4. Add 20cl of mate infusion.
5. Serve chilled!

The final word

If you're feeling innovative behind the bar and want to experiment with mate-alcohol combinations, these mate cocktails are the perfect recipe for you. So, get to work! Don't hesitate to send us your best cocktail photos; we'll be happy to publish them on our Instagram account (@labombilla.fr). And to take it even further, if you create a new recipe, send it to us (and give it a name). We'll try it, and if it's a hit, we'll be happy to add it to this list!

New: Prepare your mate cocktail using a mate infuser

Prepare a mate cocktail with the infuser

Nothing could be simpler than preparing your mate infusion with this infuser :

1. Place the mate in the dedicated compartment.
2. Let it steep in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the intensity you want.
3. Refrigerate for a few hours. To save time, you can also cold-brew the mate directly. It's faster, but the mate will have a little less flavor.
4. Use the infusion to prepare the cocktail of your choice!