<P> Mate is the national drink . The dried leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant (Ilex paraguariensis) are placed in a small cup . Hot water is then poured into a gourd at near - boiling point so as to not burn the herb and spoil the flavor . The drink is sipped through a metal or cane straw, known as a bombilla . </P> <P> Wine is also a common drink . Other spirits consumed in Uruguay are caña, grappa, lemon - infused grappa, and grappamiel (grappa honey liquour). Grappamiel is very popular in rural areas, and is often consumed in the cold autumn and winter mornings to warm up the body . </P> <P> Regional fruits as butia and pitanga are commonly used for flavoring caña, among with quinotos and nísperos . </P> <P> Bushmeat comes from mulitas and carpinchos </P>

What kind of food do they eat in uruguay