Club Mate
"Club Mate is Berlin's unofficial fuel: a carbonated, caffeinated iced tea made from yerba mate (South American herb). It's lightly sweet, tastes like 'cigarette ash' or 'dirty gym socks' on first sip (locals swear by it by the third bottle), and contains as much caffeine as Red Bull. It's everywhere—clubs, bars, Spätis, vending machines. It's the drink of hackers, artists, and clubbers who need to stay awake for 48-hour weekends."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Caffeinated, iconic
Duration
Quick drink
Best For
Clubbing
The Backstory
Club Mate originated in 1920s Bavaria but became synonymous with Berlin's hacker and club culture in the 1990s-2000s. The Chaos Computer Club (hacker collective) adopted it, and it spread through the techno scene. By 2010, it was Berlin's signature drink. The bottle design (minimalist, retro) is iconic.
Local Secret
"Your first sip will taste horrible—everyone says this. Push through to your third bottle and you'll be converted. It's sold everywhere in Berlin—Spätis, clubs, cafes, vending machines (€1.50-2). Don't shake the bottle; it's carbonated. Mix it with vodka for a 'Vodka Mate' (clubber's favorite). The 'Flora Power' version is slightly sweeter."