Do you drink yerba mate hot or cold? The Ultimate Guide to Preparation

January 11, 2026 •

4 min read

According to a 2018 study, drinking cold caffeinated herbal tea like yerba mate can induce a greater stimulation of thermogenesis and fat oxidation than drinking it hot. While science may weigh in, the question of do you drink yerba mate hot or cold ultimately comes down to personal preference, tradition, and desired flavor profile.

Quick Summary

Yerba mate can be enjoyed hot, known as mate, or cold, called tereré, with distinct preparation methods and flavor profiles. The optimal temperature and method depend on personal taste and desired effects.

Key Points

Hot vs. Cold: Yerba mate can be brewed hot (mate) or cold (tereré), each offering a distinct flavor and experience.
Optimal Hot Temperature: Brew hot yerba mate with water between 70-80°C (158-176°F) to avoid bitterness from scorching the leaves.
Cold Brew Flavor: Tereré, or cold brew, results in a smoother, less bitter infusion, making it a refreshing summer drink.
Energy Boost: Both hot and cold yerba mate provide a sustained energy lift without the jitters commonly associated with coffee.
Experiment with Flavor: Different brands and additions, such as fruit or mint, can dramatically alter the taste of your yerba mate, so don't be afraid to experiment.
Traditional Method: The hot brew method is often a social ritual, passed around in a shared gourd with a bombilla.
Health Considerations: While typically safe, consistently drinking yerba mate at very high temperatures has been linked to increased cancer risk, a concern mitigated by cooler brewing.

Yerba Mate: A Tale of Two Temperatures

Yerba mate, a traditional South American beverage derived from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, offers a unique and energizing experience. For centuries, it has been consumed in both hot and cold forms, each offering a distinct flavor profile and cultural context. The choice between hot and cold preparation is a significant one for drinkers and can affect everything from taste to health benefits. Understanding the nuances of each method can help you decide which is right for your palate and needs.

Brewing Hot Yerba Mate (Mate)

Hot yerba mate, simply called mate, is the most traditional way to enjoy this herbal infusion and is a common social ritual in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. It is typically prepared in a special hollowed-out gourd and sipped through a filtered straw called a bombilla. The key to a good mate is using water that is hot, but not boiling, to avoid burning the leaves and creating an overly bitter flavor. An ideal temperature range is typically between 70°C and 80°C (158°F to 176°F).

Steps for a traditional hot mate:

Prepare the gourd: Cure a new calabash or wooden gourd by filling it with used yerba mate and warm water, letting it sit for a day, and then scraping out the contents.
Fill the gourd: Fill the gourd about two-thirds to three-quarters full with yerba mate leaves.
Create the mound: Cover the opening with your hand, turn it upside down, and shake it to settle the leaves and remove any fine dust.
Add warm water: Tilt the gourd to one side, pour a small amount of cool or warm water into the empty space, and let it absorb for a minute.
Insert the bombilla: With your thumb over the mouthpiece, insert the bombilla into the wet yerba at the bottom of the gourd. Do not move it once it's in.
Pour hot water: Add hot water (70-80°C) into the wet area and sip immediately. Refill the same spot with water as you drink.

Brewing Cold Yerba Mate (Tereré)

For those in hot climates, or simply seeking a refreshing alternative, cold brew yerba mate, or tereré, is the perfect choice. Popular in Paraguay, tereré is less bitter and incredibly refreshing on a hot day. The preparation is simpler than traditional hot mate and can be done in a large pitcher or a standard glass.

Steps for a cold tereré:

Combine the ingredients: Fill a pitcher with loose yerba mate and ice-cold water. A starting ratio of ¼ cup of yerba per 4 cups of water works well.
Add flavorings: For extra flavor, add citrus slices (lemon or orange), fresh mint leaves, or a splash of fruit juice directly to the pitcher.
Steep overnight: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let it steep for 12 to 24 hours. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will be.
Strain and serve: Strain the leaves from the liquid using a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Serve the cold brew over fresh ice.

Hot vs. Cold Yerba Mate: A Comparison


Feature	Hot Yerba Mate (Mate)	Cold Yerba Mate (Tereré)
Flavor Profile	Intense, earthy, nutty, and more bitter due to tannins.	Smooth, mild, and less bitter. Flavors can be brightened with fruit and herbs.
Caffeine Release	Quicker initial release, followed by a sustained effect with each refill.	Slower, more gradual extraction over a longer period, resulting in a smoother energy boost.
Preparation Time	Fast. The initial brew takes a few minutes, with refills taking seconds.	Slow. Requires 12-24 hours of refrigeration for proper steeping.
Traditional Context	A social, communal ritual passed around in a gourd.	A personal, refreshing drink, particularly enjoyed on hot days.
Health Effects	Studies have shown that consuming beverages at very high temperatures can increase the risk of certain cancers.	Research suggests cold consumption may increase fat oxidation and energy expenditure.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Temperature

Beyond flavor preferences, there are other factors to consider when choosing how to drink yerba mate. For instance, the specific brand or type of yerba can influence the ideal temperature. Some brands are blended to be milder, while others have a bolder flavor that can withstand hotter temperatures without becoming overwhelmingly bitter. Experimentation is key to finding your personal 'sweet spot' for each variety. For example, a delicate, floral mate might be best at a lower hot temperature, while a bold, earthy mate can handle a higher temperature.

Regardless of temperature, the quality of your water is paramount. As one tea master famously paraphrased, if the water is a 5 out of 10 and the tea is a 10, the resulting brew will still be a 5. Using filtered water will ensure a cleaner flavor and prevent any off-tastes from tap water minerals. For those who find the traditional taste too intense, adding sweeteners like honey or agave, or infusions like mint, citrus, or ginger, can make it more palatable.

Conclusion

Whether you choose the traditional warmth of hot mate or the revitalizing chill of tereré, yerba mate offers a rewarding and culturally rich beverage experience. The hot method provides a more intense, complex flavor and a social ritual, while the cold method, or tereré, is a smooth, refreshing option perfect for warm weather. Both methods deliver a sustained energy boost thanks to yerba mate's unique combination of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, offering a jitter-free alternative to coffee. Ultimately, the best way to enjoy yerba mate is the one that suits your personal taste and lifestyle. Don't be afraid to experiment with both hot and cold preparations to find your perfect brew. For further reading on the health aspects, you can explore the research on its metabolic effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking yerba mate hot is safe as long as the water is not at a scalding temperature. Studies have shown a link between drinking any very hot beverage regularly and an increased risk of certain cancers, so many people prefer to brew with water below boiling point, around 70-80°C.

The ideal temperature for brewing hot yerba mate is between 70-80°C (158-176°F). This range is hot enough to extract the desired flavors and caffeine but not so hot that it scorches the leaves and makes the brew excessively bitter.

No, cold brew yerba mate (tereré) is typically smoother and less bitter than hot-brewed mate. The slower, gentler extraction process that occurs over many hours in cold water pulls out fewer bitter tannins, resulting in a milder flavor.

For cold brew, or tereré, it is recommended to steep the yerba mate in the refrigerator for 12 to 24 hours. The longer the steep time, the stronger and more flavorful the resulting drink will be.

Research has indicated that cold yerba mate might have certain metabolic benefits over its hot counterpart, including a greater stimulation of thermogenesis and fat oxidation. Both forms, however, provide a sustained, jitter-free energy boost.

Yes, you can make a quicker iced yerba mate by brewing a concentrated hot batch and then letting it cool before pouring it over ice. To prevent excessive bitterness, be sure to use water below boiling and don't steep for too long.

For traditional hot mate, a gourd and bombilla are typically used. For cold tereré, simpler methods using a pitcher or French press work perfectly well. For either, a kettle with temperature control can be helpful.

The flavor of both hot and cold yerba mate can be customized by adding various fruits, herbs, or sweeteners. Citrus slices, mint leaves, and honey are popular additions.