The national drink of both Argentina and Uruguay is Mate. Mate is a traditional herbal drink made from dried and ground leaves of the yerba mate plant (Ilex paraguariensis). It is brewed as a hot infusion and typically served in a vessel called a mate (often a calabash gourd) with a metal straw called a bombilla. Mate is deeply ingrained in the culture of both countries, with slightly different traditions and types of yerba mate in each place. Argentina and Uruguay differ somewhat in the flavor and preparation rituals of mate, but it remains a shared national symbol and daily staple for people in both nations.
Additionally, in Uruguay, there is another popular local alcoholic beverage called Grappamiel, a mixture of grappa, honey, and water, but Mate is the iconic national drink.
