For most people, yerba maté is the easier everyday pick. It gives you natural caffeine in a moderate dose, usually with less sugar and less intensity than a big energy drink, so it fits a regular routine without taking it over. Our sparkling yerba maté soda range is made for exactly that kind of daily drinking, though caffeine tolerance still varies from person to person.

Key Takeaways

• Yerba maté suits daily drinking because it gives a lighter, more moderate natural buzz.

• Energy drinks sold in Australia can contain up to 320 mg of caffeine per litre, so a large can adds up quickly.

• A can of Supermaté has 72.6 mg of caffeine and 8.3 g of sugar.

• Energy drinks are built for a big hit, while yerba maté is easier to fit into an everyday habit.

• Your total caffeine across the day matters more than any single can.

What makes a drink good for daily use?

A good daily drink is one you can have most days without it running your day. That usually comes down to four things.

• The caffeine dose is moderate enough to sit alongside your coffee, tea and sleep.

• The sugar is low enough that a daily can does not turn into a daily dessert.

• The flavour is enjoyable without being so sweet that it gets tiring.

• It feels right at a desk, after lunch or before plans, not only when you are running on empty.

Energy drinks can tick the "wake me up" box, but they often struggle with the rest once they become a daily habit.

How does the caffeine compare?

A 330 ml can of Supermaté contains 72.6 mg of caffeine, as listed in our nutrition FAQs. Per serve, that sits roughly between a cup of black tea and a regular brewed coffee.

Energy drinks have a much wider range. Under Australian food standards, formulated caffeinated beverages can contain up to 320 mg of caffeine per litre, which works out to as much as 80 mg in a 250 ml can or 160 mg in a 500 ml can. Food Standards Australia New Zealand also requires these drinks to state that they are not suitable for young children, pregnant or lactating women, or people sensitive to caffeine.

Why does sugar matter more when it is every day?

One full-sugar energy drink here and there is one thing. Having one every workday is a different habit, and the sugar adds up fast across a week.

Supermaté has 8.3 g of sugar per can (2.5 g per 100 ml) and 33 calories, lightly sweetened with Australian cane sugar and monk fruit. That keeps it closer to a refreshing soda than a syrupy pick-me-up, which matters when it is part of your routine rather than a one-off.

How does the buzz feel different?

This is where yerba maté and energy drinks really split. Energy drinks are designed for a fast, noticeable kick, while yerba maté is more of a natural get up and go.

Many people describe it as feeling switched on without the shaky, over-caffeinated edge they get from a big can. If jitters are your main worry, our blog post on whether yerba maté causes jitters like coffee goes deeper. Caffeine is still caffeine, though, so a smoother feel is not a reason to keep stacking cans.

How can you swap a daily energy drink for yerba maté?

The easiest switch is gradual. You do not need to overhaul your whole day to feel the difference.

• Swap one can at a time, starting with the one you drink out of habit rather than need.

• Keep your Supermaté for the time of day you usually reach for an energy drink.

• Count your coffee and tea as well, because total daily caffeine is what adds up.

• Have your last caffeinated drink earlier in the afternoon if sleep is already a struggle.

For a broader side-by-side on taste, ingredients and where each drink fits, our yerba maté vs energy drinks guide covers the bigger picture.

A lighter daily buzz, made in Melbourne

If you want something you can drink most days, yerba maté is the more balanced choice for many people. Supermaté gives you natural caffeine, bubbles and low sugar in a can made locally in Melbourne, without the full-on energy drink formula.

Check our store locator to find cans near you, or stock the fridge online so your next afternoon slump has a better option.