Club-Mate (German pronunciation: [ˈklʊp ˈmaːtə]) is a caffeinated carbonated mate-extract beverage made by the Loscher Brewery (Brauerei Loscher) in Münchsteinach, Germany, which originated in 1924.[1] Club-Mate has 20 mg of caffeine per 100 ml, sugar content of 5 g per 100 ml, and 20 kcal per 100 ml, which is lower than most energy drinks. Club-Mate is available in 0.33-litre and 0.5-litre bottles.

Club-Mate
Country of origin Germany
Introduced1924
Websitewww.club-mate.de/en/ Edit this on Wikidata

Some Club-Mate bottles include the slogan "man gewöhnt sich daran", which roughly translates as "you'll get used to it".

Examples of Club-Mate-based mixed drinks are: vodka-mate; Tschunk,[2][3] a combination of rum and Club-Mate; Jaeger-Mate, a mix of Jägermeister and Club-Mate.

History

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Geola Beverages of Dietenhofen, Germany originally formulated and marketed Club-Mate under the name Sekt-Bronte in 1924.[4] The drink was only known regionally until acquired by Loscher and marketed under the name Club-Mate in 1994.[5]

In December 2007, Loscher marketed a Club-Mate winter edition. The limited-edition Club-Mate consists of the original formula mixed with cardamom, cinnamon, star anise and citrus extract. It is since sold regularly for a limited time during winter.

In 2009, a Club-Mate-styled cola variety was introduced. Unlike other colas, its recipe includes mate-extract.

In 2013, Club-Mate Granat, a Club-Mate variety with additional pomegranate flavor, was introduced.

Club-Mate Zero, a sugar free version of Club-Mate is available since April 2022.[6]

As of July 2010, the company listed countries for example the United Kingdom,[7] the United States,[8] Belgium,[9] Bulgaria [10] and Luxembourg to reach distributors in 60 countries,[11] primarily in Europe, but also in Canada,[12] Australia, Hong Kong, Costa Rica and Taiwan.[13]

Culture

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Club-Mate has developed a following in computer hacker culture and tech start-ups, especially in Europe. Bruce Sterling wrote in Wired magazine that it is the favorite beverage of Germany's Chaos Computer Club.[14] It is also popular at Noisebridge[15] and HOPE[16] in the United States, Electromagnetic Field in the UK, the Hack-Tic events in the Netherlands and the FOSDEM in Belgium. Club-Mate appeared in numerous leading media websites like Al-Jazeera,[17] TechCrunch[18] and Vice.[19]

For similar reasons, the drink is also popular among ravers in cities across Europe such as Berlin.[20]

Ingredients and variations

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There are several variations on the original recipe available: Club-Mate IceT Kraftstoff (an iced-tea variant with slightly higher caffeine content (220 mg per L) and more sugar), Club-Mate Granat (with added pomegranate for a more fruity taste) and Club-Mate Winter Edition (with spices giving it a gingerbread-like taste - this edition is only available during the winter months).[6] The latest variation is Club-Mate Zero, a sugar free version.[6]

Tschunk

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Tschunk
Cocktail
 
TypeHighball
Base spirit
Commonly used ingredients
PreparationDice limes, put them together with the brown sugar into a high glass and crush both. Add crushed ice and pour the rum and the Club-Mate over it. Add a straw

Tschunk [ˈtʃʊnk] is a German highball consisting of Club-Mate and white or brown rum. It is usually served with limes and cane or brown sugar.[21][22]

Like Club-Mate, the Tschunk is a typical drink within European hacker culture[23][24] and can often be found at scene typical events or locations like the Chaos Communication Congress.[22][25]

Bloomberg journalist Vernon Silver noted 'It tastes a lot better than it sounds.'[26]

See also

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  • Materva, a Cuban carbonated mate-based beverage

Notes and references

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  1. ^ "Club Mate Reviews, Photos, Information, Videos and TV Ads". dizzyfrinks.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
  2. ^ "Tschunk – Entropia". entropia.de.
  3. ^ "Tschunk Cocktail Recipe". 6 April 2021.
  4. ^ "WaaAAAAAACH!!Als Sekt-Bronte begonnen, als Einhornpisse geendet". Die Tageszeitung: Taz. 27 December 2011. p. 13.
  5. ^ "Goldgrüne Flüssigkeit zum Saugen". Der Tagesspiegel Online. 16 January 2006.
  6. ^ a b c "Produkte – CLUB-MATE".
  7. ^ "Club-Mate-UK". Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  8. ^ "Club-Mate USA". Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  9. ^ "What is clubmate". clubmate.be. Archived from the original on 1 August 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  10. ^ "Club-Mate Bulgaria". Facebook.
  11. ^ "Manufacturer – Club-Mate / The Icetea". clubmate.de.
  12. ^ "Club-Mate Canada". Facebook.
  13. ^ "International – CLUB-MATE".
  14. ^ Bruce Sterling (1 April 2007). "Club-Mate, favorite drink of the Chaos Computer Club". Wired.
  15. ^ "Club Mate - Noisebridge". noisebridge.net.
  16. ^ "Club-Mate". 2600 Magazine. Archived from the original on 15 August 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2009.
  17. ^ Stupp, Catherine. "German hackers' drink of choice". www.aljazeera.com.
  18. ^ "Flying high on Club Mate – TechCrunch". techcrunch.com. 11 February 2010.
  19. ^ "How a German Soda Became Hackers' Fuel of Choice | Motherboard". motherboard.vice.com. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014.
  20. ^ "Berlin And Club-Mate: A Buzzing Duo". Culture Trip. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Des Hackers Cocktail". 23 April 2024.
  22. ^ a b Silver, Vernon (27 June 2017). "The Chaos Computer Club Is Fighting to Save Democracy". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  23. ^ "Club-Mate: The Favorite Drink of German Hackers and Club Kids Is Here". Eater.com. Vox Media. 8 September 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
  24. ^ "Hacking Club-Mate". Make. 24 May 2011.
  25. ^ Judith Horchert (28 December 2013). "Chaospatinnen: Betreuung für den ersten Besuch beim Hackerkongress". Spiegel Online (in German).
  26. ^ Silver, Vernon (27 June 2017). "The Hackers Russia-Proofing Germany's Elections". Bloomberg News.
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