Matelo is a sparkling yerba maté drink made in the UK. Brewed from whole leaves, made properly, for the second half of the working day. We brew whole yerba maté leaves from South America and turn them into a crisp, lightly sparkling ready to drink can. Clean ingredients, nothing artificial, ready to crack open whenever you need to find your focus.

Yerba maté is a naturally caffeinated herbal infusion made from the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis, a holly tree native to South America. It has been shared in communities across Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay for centuries, traditionally drunk from a gourd called a mate through a metal straw called a bombilla. Yerba maté benefits include smooth sustained energy, improved mental clarity and a rich supply of antioxidants, all thanks to a natural combination of caffeine and theobromine. Think of it as coffee's calmer, more focused cousin.

Both contain caffeine, but the experience is quite different. Matelo is a natural coffee alternative that delivers the same sustained energy without the edge. Coffee gives you a fast, sharp caffeine hit that can leave some people jittery or leaving you flat a few hours later. Matelo contains caffeine and theobromine, a compound also found in cacao, which together produce a more sustained long-lasting lift. Most people describe it as calm alertness rather than a spike. If you are looking for a natural coffee alternative in the UK that actually delivers on focus and energy, yerba maté is worth your attention.

Matelo is not an energy drink. It is a cultural drink — sparkling yerba maté, brewed from whole leaves, steeped in centuries of South American ritual. The energy it delivers comes from caffeine and naturally occurring theobromine, not from a formula engineered for a label. Every ingredient is something you can actually pronounce. No artificial sweeteners, no synthetic vitamins, no taurine. Just whole yerba maté leaves, cane sugar, lemon juice and sparkling water. The energy comes from the plant, not a lab. If you are looking for a clean energy drink alternative in the UK, this is it.

Our Original Maté is earthy, gently bright and considered. A little wild, a little grounding, with a clean finish. If you have never tried yerba maté before, think somewhere between green tea and a light sparkling water, with more depth. Our Maté & Mint adds a hit of natural mint flavouring for a crisper, cooler finish. Both sparkling yerba maté flavours are designed to be endlessly drinkable.

Original Maté: Yerba Maté, Sparkling Water, Unrefined Cane Sugar, Lemon Juice (from concentrate).

Maté & Mint: Yerba Maté, Sparkling Water, Unrefined Cane Sugar, Lemon Juice (from concentrate), Natural Mint Flavouring.

That is it. No ingredient ever that you cannot pronounce.

Whole leaves, always. We brew from whole yerba maté leaves, not concentrated extract. This matters because the full leaf carries the natural balance of caffeine, theobromine and antioxidants that makes maté energy feel different from coffee and energy drinks. Extract-based drinks can amplify the caffeine without the moderating compounds.

Each 330ml can of Matelo contains approximately 96mg of caffeine, similar to a strong cup of coffee which typically contains 95 to 100mg. When people compare yerba maté caffeine vs coffee, the key difference is not the amount but how it is delivered. Yerba maté's natural theobromine content moderates the caffeine response, producing a steadier, more sustained energy lift rather than the sharp spike and crash some people experience with coffee.

Most people find yerba maté does not cause jitters, and that is the main reason many coffee drinkers make the switch. Yerba maté contains caffeine and theobromine working together. Theobromine is the reason the energy feels different. It calms the physical response that coffee can trigger, so you get the focus without the jitters. This is one of the most important yerba maté benefits for people sensitive to coffee. Individual responses vary. If you are sensitive to caffeine, start with one can and see how you feel.

Yerba maté benefits are well documented. The drink has been consumed safely for centuries by millions of people across South America and is rich in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals. Research supports its role in improving focus, supporting the immune system and providing sustained energy without jitters. As with any caffeinated drink, moderation is sensible. The NHS recommends keeping daily caffeine intake below 400mg for healthy adults, which is roughly four cans of Matelo. One thing worth knowing: studies have linked very heavy, long-term consumption of extremely hot maté to a higher risk of certain cancers. This is specific to high-temperature traditional consumption over many years and does not apply to a cold sparkling yerba maté drink enjoyed in moderation.

There is some research suggesting that theobromine, one of the natural compounds in yerba maté, may help moderate the cortisol spike that high doses of caffeine can trigger. This is likely part of why yerba maté produces a calmer energy experience than coffee for many people, and why it is considered a healthier coffee alternative by those who have made the switch. We do not make medical claims, but the science is interesting. Our Learn page has more if you are curious.

You have probably seen this circulating on social media. There is legitimate research showing that yerba maté may influence GLP-1, a hormone also targeted by Ozempic, in ways that could affect appetite and metabolism. The science is real and worth taking seriously. Matelo is a sparkling yerba maté drink though, not a medication or a weight loss product. We make it for the energy, the focus and the taste. If you are interested in the research, a quick search for yerba mate GLP-1 will bring up the relevant studies. We would rather you read the science than take our word for it.

Some studies suggest that the compounds in yerba maté may support metabolism and appetite regulation, which is part of why it has gained attention as a natural coffee alternative and wellness drink. We are not going to overstate this. Matelo is not a diet product and we would feel uncomfortable positioning it as one. What we can say is that it is low in calories at around 21kcal per 100ml, contains no artificial sweeteners, and is made with unrefined cane sugar at 5g per 100ml. Whether that fits into your health goals is entirely your call.

Matelo contains 5.0g of unrefined cane sugar per 100ml, which is approximately 16.5g per 330ml can. For context, a typical cola contains around 10.6g per 100ml and most commercial kombucha brands contain between 4 and 8g per 100ml. As a sparkling natural drink in the UK, we use cane sugar rather than artificial sweeteners because we think real ingredients always win. If you are managing sugar intake carefully, please factor this in.

Yes. All Matelo ingredients are plant-based. Suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Yerba maté is a herbal infusion with no animal-derived ingredients.

Yes. Matelo contains no gluten ingredients. If you have coeliac disease or a serious gluten intolerance, please check with your doctor as we cannot guarantee against trace contamination in the manufacturing environment.

We would recommend speaking to your midwife or GP. The NHS advises limiting caffeine intake to 200mg per day during pregnancy. Each can of Matelo contains 96mg of caffeine, so this would need to be factored into your total daily caffeine intake alongside any other sources. We are not in a position to give medical advice so please check with a healthcare professional.

Some research suggests yerba maté may support blood glucose regulation and it is consumed regularly by many people with diabetes. Among the yerba maté benefits researchers have explored, its potential effect on insulin sensitivity is one of the more studied areas. Matelo does contain cane sugar and does have a glycaemic impact. If you have diabetes or are managing blood sugar levels, we would recommend consulting your doctor before adding it to your diet.

We sell sparkling yerba maté in cases of 12 x 330ml cans, delivered direct to your door across the UK. We have two flavours: Original Maté and Maté & Mint.

12 cans per case. Each can is 330ml. A case of Matelo sparkling yerba maté is available to buy online now.

Not currently through our website. We sell by the case of 12. If you would like to find yerba maté to buy near you in the UK before committing to a case, keep an eye on our Stockists page as we build our independent retailer presence. We are working to get Matelo into independent cafes, delis and health stores across the UK.

Store your sparkling yerba maté cans in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Once opened, drink it as it is sparkling and best enjoyed fresh. Unopened cans are shelf stable and do not need to be refrigerated, though we think they taste best cold.

Yes. Aluminium cans are one of the most recyclable packaging formats available and can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. Please rinse and recycle. As a natural drink brand working toward B Corp certification, sustainability is built into everything we do, including our can choice.

We deliver sparkling yerba maté across the UK. We do not currently ship outside the UK. If you are reading this from further afield, follow us and we will let you know when that changes.

Typically 2 to 4 working days for UK couriers.

Yes. Once your order is dispatched you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking link from our courier.

We are sorry if that happens. Email us at info@drink-matelo.com with your order number and a photo of the damage and we will sort it out straight away. We want you to enjoy Matelo, not stress about it.