Tereré Recipe
Brewed yerba mate chilled and mixed with fresh orange juice, mint and agave
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Ingredients
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Mate Base
Citrus & Sweetener
Aromatics & Garnish
Method
Mate Base
Brew the yerba mate
Place 3 tablespoons loose yerba mate in a heatproof pitcher or jar. Add 500 ml of cold water (or very cold filtered water) to the yerba. Stir gently to combine and let steep in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes to extract flavor without heat.
After steeping, strain the mate through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container to remove leaves. Press gently with the back of a spoon to extract liquid but avoid forcing small particles through.
Fill the serving pitcher or glasses with about 1 cup ice cubes to chill the drink further.
Citrus & Sweetener
While the mate is steeping or chilling, squeeze fresh oranges to yield 1 cup of juice (about 2–3 medium oranges). Strain out pulp if you prefer a smoother drink.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, dissolve 2 teaspoons of agave syrup into a tablespoon of the warmest liquid available (a splash of the mate at room temperature or a dash of hot water) to make a thin syrup, then stir it into the orange juice so it mixes evenly. If you like it sweeter, add agave ½ teaspoon at a time to taste.
Combine & Serve
Pour the strained, chilled yerba mate into the pitcher or individual glasses over the ice, leaving space for the orange juice. Ratio suggestion: about 2 parts mate to 1 part orange juice (adjust to taste). For the quantities listed, pour roughly 1 cup mate into the pitcher and then add the 1 cup orange juice.
Add the sweetened orange juice to the mate and stir gently to combine.
Smash 6–8 fresh mint leaves lightly between your palms to release oils, then add them to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Stir once to distribute aroma. Reserve a few whole mint leaves and orange slices for garnish.
Taste and adjust: if stronger mate flavor is desired, add a splash more brewed mate; if sweeter, add more agave; for brighter citrus, add a squeeze of fresh orange.
Serve immediately over ice with a sprig of mint and an orange slice garnish. Optionally, keep extra chilled mate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and combine with fresh orange juice when ready to serve.