Time to Read: 4 minutes
Quick Overview
If traditional hot mate tastes too bitter for you, you have options. You can switch to a yerba with more stems, add citrus or sugar, or soften the whole drink by boiling it or making it with milk. This guide walks through three gentler ways to enjoy mate: boiled mate (mate cocido), sweet mate, and mate with milk.
Plenty of newcomers take their first sip of mate and find it sharper than expected. That is completely normal, and it does not mean mate is not for you. Before you give up, it helps to know that there are a few simple ways to mellow the flavor. The easiest first step is to reach for a yerba with a higher stem content, since stems make the drink softer and less bitter. If that is not enough, a little lemon or orange zest helps, and some blends already include citrus. From there, you can sweeten it or trade the water for milk. Here are three of the most popular ways to do exactly that.
How do you make boiled mate (mate cocido)?
Boiled mate, known as mate cocido or simply mate tea, is the easiest place to start because you do not need a gourd or a bombilla at all. Boiling the yerba pulls out a milder, rounder flavor that tends to be much friendlier for first-timers.
To make it, add one generous tablespoon of yerba mate per cup of water and bring it to a boil. Take it off the heat, let it settle for a couple of minutes, then strain and enjoy. The temperature here runs hotter than the temperature usually recommended for traditional mate, around 160 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit (71 to 82 Celsius). Some people prefer mate cocido closer to 192 Fahrenheit (89 Celsius), so it is worth trying a range to find your sweet spot. If you would rather keep things simple, mate cocido also comes in tea bags that brew just like any other tea.
How do you make sweet mate?
Sweetened mate is popular in the north of Argentina and the central region of Chile, and there is more than one way to do it. Pick whichever fits how you like to drink:
- Add a sugar cube or a teaspoon of sugar at the bottom of the gourd before the yerba, or near the bombilla, and keep adding as you go.
- Stir the sugar straight into the thermos so it dissolves into the water.
- Hold a sugar cube in your mouth as you sip, a simple old-school trick.
- Swap in honey, brown sugar, or cane sugar for a different kind of sweetness.
How do you make mate with milk?
Using milk in place of water softens mate the same way a cappuccino is gentler than an espresso. There are two common approaches. The first is to serve hot milk through the gourd just as you would with water, a style called mate de leche that is popular in Argentina and Chile. The second is to make boiled mate with milk instead of water, which gives you something close to a mate latte. Both are comforting, a little creamy, and an easy way to ease into the flavor.
Beginner Tip
Start mild and adjust from there. Try mate cocido first, then experiment with a little citrus or sweetener before deciding what you like. Your taste for mate tends to grow quickly, and many people find they reach for less sweetener over time.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make mate without a gourd or bombilla?
Yes. Boiled mate (mate cocido) is brewed in a pot or made with a tea bag, so it needs no special equipment. It is the simplest way to try mate before investing in a setup.
Is boiled mate less bitter than traditional mate?
Generally yes. Boiling tends to produce a milder, rounder flavor than mate brewed in a gourd, which is part of why it is such a beginner-friendly starting point.
Can you use plant-based milk?
Yes. Oat, almond, and other plant milks all work for mate de leche or a mate latte. Each brings its own sweetness and body, so it comes down to what you enjoy.
What is the easiest way to make mate less bitter?
Start with a yerba that has more stems, then add a little citrus zest or sweetener if you still want it softer. You can also explore ingredients you can add to your mate for more ideas.
Drink to connect
However you take it, mate is meant to be shared and enjoyed at your own pace. If the traditional version felt too strong, these gentler styles are a perfect on-ramp into the ritual. Ready to experiment? Browse our yerba mate and starter kits.