The Best Yerba Mate to Give You a Jolt of Energy

The best yerba mate will give you a boost of energy without tasting bitter or being packed with sugar. The balance of these three things can be hard to find. In an attempt to help all the tea drinkers and caffeine lovers out there, I drank an unbelievable amount of this bottled and canned tea to find the best yerba mate out there.

If you aren’t familiar with yerba mate, it is a naturally caffeinated tea that can be served hot or cold, sweet or unsweet. Today, we’re specifically talking about the canned or bottled yerba mate that you can buy at the grocery store. And whether you like your tea with zero sugar or like a sweet treat, there’s a packaged yerba mate beverage for you.

The following article contains affiliate links that may generate a small commission to us when you make a purchase through the link. Learn more about how we work with affiliates here.


Best Unsweetened

Trader Joe’s Organic Sparkling Yerba Mate

If you’re looking for the best yerba mate that has no sugar added, pick up this version at Trader Joe’s. The carbonated fizz is nice and helps offset the bitterness of the tea. Plus, it’s organic! I feel like this would be a great yerba mate to drink if you’re hungover or have your period. The caffeine will give you much-needed energy and the mild carbonation will help settle your stomach.

Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s

Rating:

7/10

Sporks

Best Low Calorie

Clean Cause Lemon Lime

If you’re looking for a low-calorie, low-sugar yerba mate that still has some sweetness, Clean Cause is your best bet. Lemon Lime is their best flavor, and it’s definitely the one you should reach for when you’re thirsty. It’s sweet, a little tart, and light. Do I hate the name? Yes. “Clean” is a dumb thing to call a drink. It makes me feel like I’m drinking detergent. Do I like the taste, though? Absolutely!

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Carbonated

Guayaki Organic Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate

If you poured this Guayaki Organic Sparkling Cranberry Pomegranate Yerba Mate into a champagne flute, I would think it was a refreshing, homemade mocktail. It is so tasty. It is really carbonated and sweet. You could cheers with this at midnight on New Year’s Eve for a bump of energy before partying all night long. I don’t drink much, and this is a great substitute for a cocktail, in my personal opinion.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Most Refreshing

Guayaki Enlighten Mint

If you want a nice and refreshing tea, Guayaki Mint is the best yerba mate for you. It’s a wonderful morning yerba mate because you could brush your teeth and then drink it without experiencing that awful, post-brush bitterness. There’s nothing worse than a big ol’ swig of coffee after you’ve brushed your teeth. This is not only the best mint yerba mate, but it is also the best breakfast yerba mate.

Credit: Merc / Amazon

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Sweetened

YakChak Passionfruit Plant-Based Energy Tea

This tastes so good. I couldn’t believe how delicious it is. It’s high in sugar and calories, but I don’t care! If you’re looking for a delicious yerba mate, this is it. Plus, the portion is huge. If you drank this over ice, you could easily get two servings out of one can. This tastes almost exactly like passion fruit bubble tea and I’m obsessed. This is definitely the best yerba mate if you’re not watching your sugar.

Credit: Merc / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best of the Best

Guayaki Traditional Terere

Guayaki Yerba Mate Traditional Terere is what I think of when I think of premade yerba mate. It is easily the best yerba mate at the grocery store. Unlike most of the flavors we tried, which taste like seltzer or fruit juice, this tastes like actual tea. It’s mild and refreshing and definitely packs a caffeine punch. In general, Guayaki makes the best yerba mate and this one is the best of the best.

Credit: Merc / Vons

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Other Products We Tried: Guayaki Revel Berry, Steaz Mint To Be, Steaz Golden, Clean Zero Sugar Orange Ginger, Guayaki Sparkling Grapefruit Ginger, Clean Zero Sugar Watermelon, Clean Raspberry, Steaz Unsweetened Half & Half, Steaz Peach Please, Steaz Unsweetened Elderberry, Guayaki Sparkling Classic Gold, Guru, Clean Peach, Guayaki Bluephoria, Guayaki Lemon, Guayaki Orange

Share your favorite yerba mate with us using #SporkedTasteTest for a chance to be featured on our social pages!


About the Author

Jordan Myrick

Jordan is an L.A.-based writer and comedian who believes all food should come with extra sauce. When they're not writing for Sporked, Jordan is at the movies or sharing an order of french fries with their elderly chihuahua.

Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!

Your thoughts.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *