I can only confirm this trend at least 20 years ago I was drinking at least one Club Mate per day. That was a lot of sugar (25g per bottle) which is the max the WHO recommends. And it's the same amount of caffeine as one cup of coffee. In the beginning of SmarterGerman I was teaching in various "hip" startups and Club Mate was always available for anyone in the public fridges. I guess employees get more done when they are high on sugar and caffeine ;)

What's your favorite drink in Germany or in your "Heimat"? Share it with us in the comments below or in the Community.

Video Summary

• Introduction: The video discusses the popularity of a yellowish sparkling drink called Club Mate in Berlin.
• Club Mate's prevalence: Berliners consume Club Mate throughout the day, including at beach bars, offices, and even in the Bundestag.
• Ingredients: Club Mate is a South American beverage with a high level of carbonation and caffeine, containing approximately 100 milligrams of caffeine per 500 milliliters, similar to a strong espresso.
• History: Club Mate has been around for almost a century, with its origins dating back to 1924 in Dietenhofen, Bavaria, where Georg Lettner got the recipe from Sekt Bronte, a mate tea-based drink.
• Name change: In the 1950s, the drink's name changed to Club Mate when the company owner decided to rebrand it.
• Revival: In 1994, brewer Markus Lotter acquired the brand and introduced the catchy slogan "Club Mate – Man gewöhnt sich dran," helping revive its popularity.
• Berlin breakthrough: Club Mate gained traction in Berlin when a Berliner introduced it, especially among hackers who used it to stay awake during late-night coding sessions.
• Wider popularity: The drink eventually gained popularity among ravers and the wider hipster culture, becoming a trendsetter in the non-alcoholic beverage market.
• National consumption: While Germany consumes 145 liters of soft drinks per capita annually, Club Mate's success is most pronounced in urban areas, particularly Berlin.
• International expansion: Club Mate's association with Berlin is so strong that it has spread to other countries, including France, where it has been available since 2005.