Tereré (Paraguayan Iced Yerba Mate)
In short: Cold yerba mate steeped in ice water with fresh herbs and sipped through a metal straw, Paraguay's refreshing national drink for hot afternoons. It takes about 5 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 5 kcal
Tereré is yerba mate served cold, and in Paraguay it is more a habit than a drink. Friends and coworkers sit in a circle, one person fills a cup called a guampa with ice water, and the cup is passed around and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla. Fresh herbs, known as yuyos, are bruised and added to the water for a cooling, slightly bitter, herbal taste. Declared the national drink in 2011, it is sipped all day when the weather is warm.
Instructions
- Put the ice, mint, lemon balm and the orange or lemon juice (if using) in an insulated jug and add the cold water. Steep for 5 minutes while you prepare the cup.
- Fill the guampa (or a sturdy cup) about two-thirds full with dry yerba mate.
- Cover the top with your palm, turn the cup upside down and shake it gently a few times so the fine dust rises to the surface. Tilt it back to about 45 degrees so the yerba settles into a slope on one side.
- Pour a little cold water into the empty space, just enough to wet the yerba. Wait 30 seconds for it to soak in.
- Push the bombilla (a metal straw with a filter) into the empty space, down to the bottom of the slope. Once it is in, do not move it.
- Pour cold water slowly into the empty space until the cup is full. The person serving drinks first, then refills the cup and passes it on.
- Keep refilling from the jug. The yerba lasts for 10 to 15 rounds, until the drink tastes weak and watery.
Tips
- Do not stir or move the bombilla once it is in place, because that clogs the filter. Keep the water ice cold, refilling the jug with ice as it melts.
- For a citrus version, called tereré ruso, swap the herbs for the juice of half an orange or lemon in the water.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between tereré and mate?
Both use yerba mate. Tereré is made with cold water or juice, often with herbs, and drunk in hot weather, while mate is made with hot water and sipped warm.
Does tereré have caffeine?
Yes. Yerba mate contains caffeine, so a long session adds up. The amount varies by brand and by how much yerba you use.
Can I make tereré without a guampa and bombilla?
Yes. Use any sturdy cup and a bombilla with a built-in filter. Without a bombilla, steep the yerba in a jug of cold water for 10 minutes and strain it.
How long does it take to make Tereré (Paraguayan Iced Yerba Mate)?
About 5 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tereré (Paraguayan Iced Yerba Mate)?
About 5 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 1 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 5 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 1 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
