Alexis · Fondateur d'YVY Maté
When summer temperatures start to climb, finding a refreshing, healthy drink becomes a priority.
Every summer, a traditional South American drink gets more and more attention in France: tereré.
The refreshing cousin of the famous yerba mate, tereré is a cold-brewed drink with everything it takes to become the star of summer beverages.
So what makes tereré an excellent alternative to the classic summer drinks? Let's explore together.
Tereré, the not-to-be-missed drink of summer 2026
Summer 2026 is knocking at the door with its new refreshing trend: tereré.
This yerba mate infusion in cold or iced water, hugely popular in South America, is establishing itself as the must-have brew for a summer full of flavor and freshness.
Originally from Paraguay, tereré is a traditional drink prepared with yerba mate. Drinking it is part of a true social ritual, fostering exchange and conviviality. In Paraguay, sharing a tereré is a way to build bonds and strengthen friendship and solidarity.
What sets it apart from its cousin mate is its preparation with cold or iced water.
Picture yourself in the sun, tereré gourd in hand, savoring notes ranging from delicate lemon mate to exotic tropical mate, by way of refreshing mint mate. More than a mere drink, tereré is a multisensory experience combining taste pleasure and nutritional benefits.
Ready for this taste adventure? Let's discover tereré together, from its origins to its preparation.
The benefits of tereré
Beyond its refreshing taste, tereré offers a genuine cocktail of health benefits. Just like mate, tereré is rich in antioxidants, which fight the free radicals responsible for premature cell aging.
It also contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids essential to the body.
On the energy side, tereré is a natural source of caffeine. It offers a stimulating effect comparable to coffee's, but without the sudden energy spikes and equally abrupt crashes. Thanks to its slow-release caffeine, tereré delivers steady, lasting energy - warding off the afternoon slump.
A tereré at the end of a summer day
Preparing tereré
If you're new to preparing tereré, no worries. It's actually quite simple, needing only a few key ingredients and a little practice. Here's a basic tereré recipe:
- Choose the right mate and the right gourd: start with a quality yerba mate. For a refreshing, aromatic tereré, go for varieties like lemon mate, mint mate or tropical mate. Choose a suitable gourd model too - the stainless steel mate gourd keeps the cold for over 3h: ideal for a tereré!
- Prepare the yerba mate: fill your gourd or mate glass halfway to two-thirds full with yerba mate.
- Add herbs and/or fruit: this is where you can personalize your tereré. Add herbs like mint or lemon verbena, or fruit like slices of lemon, orange or grapefruit straight into the water. Or go for our ready-made recipes!
- Add ice cubes: tilt your gourd slightly and drop 1 or 2 ice cubes into the space where you pour the water. Then add well-chilled water straight from your mate thermos, trying not to wet all the yerba mate at once (just as with a hot mate).
- Enjoy: you can now savor your tereré!
And there you are - ready to enjoy your homemade tereré!
Whether you prefer a traditional version or a fruitier variation, tereré is a simple pleasure to share with friends or savor alone, keeping cool through the hot summer days.
Feel free to add ice cubes on top of the mate leaves to keep your drink cold!
A good tereré, prepared with experience
The tereré experience with YVY Maté
To help you create an authentic, enriching tereré experience, discover a range of yerba mate specially suited to preparing this refreshing drink.
Among them, lemon mate, mint mate and tropical mate are especially suited to making tereré, offering flavor heightened by the addition of real dried fruits and flowers - all while meeting organic, ethical and sustainable production standards, in close collaboration with local growers.
To conclude, tereré is far more than a mere refreshing summer drink. It's a tradition, a symbol of conviviality and a powerful link to a rich, colorful culture.
With YVY Maté's yerba mate selection, get ready to live summer on South American time, enjoying mate's benefits while exploring a spectrum of unique flavors.
Tereré isn't just a drink, it's an experience. So why not give it a try?
