Mate Gelado
Iced Mate Tea
"Cold yerba mate tea served with lemon and sugar. Cariocas drink it constantly—it's Rio's unofficial beverage. Sold everywhere from beach vendors to restaurants."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Refreshing and energizing
Duration
N/A (drink)
Best For
Beach hydration
The Backstory
Yerba mate is from southern Brazil and Argentina. Rio adopted it in the 20th century and turned it into a cold, sweetened beach drink.
Local Secret
"Order it 'sem açúcar' (no sugar) if you want to taste the actual tea. Most places serve it syrup-sweet by default. Beach vendors sell it in 1L bottles—perfect for sharing."