Saint James Iced Tea is moving beyond its organic iced tea roots with the launch of Saint James Yerba Mate, a certified organic, non-GMO line of functional beverages that the brand says will reach more than 7,500 retail doors by the end of 2026. The entry into the fast-expanding yerba mate segment marks the company's first new beverage category since its founding.
Each 16-ounce bottle delivers 150mg of natural caffeine, 20–25 calories, and 3–4 grams of sugar — specs that position the line squarely in the better-for-you energy space. Yerba mate leaves are ethically sourced from South America and combined with a natural compound profile of caffeine, polyphenols, and theobromine, the alkaloid also found in cacao, which the brand says supports a smoother, longer-lasting energy curve than synthetic stimulants. The three launch flavors — Mango Passionfruit, Raspberry Lemon, and Strawberry Tangerine — come in the company's 100% recyclable and resealable aluminum bottles, now updated with a green-and-chrome design.
Retail and Foodservice Reach
For operators and buyers tracking better-for-you beverage trends, the distribution footprint here is worth noting. Saint James Yerba Mate is live now on Amazon and the brand's direct site at $39.99 for a 12-pack, with Kroger and Albertsons banners confirmed as key retail partners for the physical rollout. That expansion follows a dense stretch of commercial activity: the brand launched a Costco-exclusive variety pack earlier this month and secured a nationwide pouring partnership with fast-casual chain Just Salad, placing its teas across all 120 U.S. locations. Total distribution across both the iced tea and yerba mate lines now exceeds 25,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
"Our consumers already turn to Saint James as part of their daily routine, so creating a more functional option was the next logical step," said Brenden Cohen, co-founder and co-CEO of Saint James Iced Tea. "Saint James Yerba Mate delivers the same quality and taste our customers expect from us, now with a more substantial amount of natural caffeine."
Campaign and Market Momentum
The launch is backed by the brand's first multi-celebrity national marketing campaign, featuring NHL star Jack Hughes, former NFL wide receiver and media personality Victor Cruz, and entrepreneur Isabela Rangel Grutman. The 360 effort will extend through fall with out-of-home placements, consumer sampling, and college ambassador programs — a format increasingly common among better-for-you beverage challengers looking to build trial at scale. Saint James Iced Tea, which counts AriZona Iced Tea co-founder John M. Ferolito among its backers, reported 164% year-over-year growth in August 2026, a figure that lends credibility to the category bet.
For foodservice and restaurant beverage buyers evaluating functional RTD options, the Just Salad partnership signals that Saint James is actively pursuing on-premise volume alongside retail — a dual-channel push that could make the yerba mate line relevant to menu planners alongside its existing tea portfolio.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
