Tereré is the cold version of mate, a symbol of summer gatherings in Argentina’s Litoral region, made with yerba mate, cold water, and ice.
It originated among the Guaraní people as a practical way to drink yerba mate on hot days, without needing to boil water.
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Argentine Tereré Drink
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 round
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Argentine
Ingredients
- 50 g of yerba mate, preferably citrus-flavored
- 500 ml of cold water (about 2 cups)
- to taste of ice
- to taste of citrus slices (orange, lemon, or grapefruit) (optional)
- to taste of natural juice, for sweetening (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the pitcher, in a pitcher, combine cold water with ice and citrus slices.
- Fill with yerba, fill the mate gourd or cup with yerba mate up to about half its capacity.
- Mix, cover the opening with the palm of your hand, flip the gourd over, and shake to mix the yerba well.
- Let it settle, let it sit for a moment before inserting the straw.
- Insert the straw, carefully insert the straw, being careful not to move it afterward.
- Pour the cold water, pour the cold water from the pitcher over the yerba, being careful not to fill it all the way.
- Share, drink and keep pouring cold water from the pitcher to serve the tereré around the group.
Tips for getting it right
- Using citrus-flavored yerba enhances tereré’s characteristic refreshing taste.
- Adding strawberries, watermelon, or mango to the water pitcher gives it an extra tropical touch.
- A few cinnamon sticks or cloves in the water add a different aromatic profile.
- Keeping the pitcher well chilled throughout serving helps maintain tereré’s ideal temperature.
Traditional variations
- It can be made with cold herbal tea, such as chamomile or green tea, instead of plain water.
- Some people add a lemon-flavored soda for a sweeter touch.
How to serve
Tereré is served well chilled, poured around the group, as a refreshing drink on hot days.
It’s a symbol of summer in Argentina’s Litoral region and in Paraguay, shared among family and friends.
Recommended sides
- Fresh fruit
- Cookies
Did you know?
Tereré originated among the Guaraní people as a practical alternative to hot mate on extremely hot days.
It’s considered a symbol of summer in Argentina’s Litoral region, especially in Corrientes, Misiones, and Entre Ríos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mate is prepared with hot water, while tereré is its cold version, made with ice-cold water, ice, and sometimes citrus or herbs.
Citrus-flavored yerba enhances the drink's refreshing taste, though it can also be made with plain yerba mate.
Yes, it's common to add strawberries, watermelon, mango, or citrus slices to the water pitcher for a tropical touch.
It's especially popular in Argentina's Litoral region, such as Corrientes, Misiones, and Entre Ríos, as well as in Paraguay.
