Tschunk

Where Did the Cocktail Come From?

Tschunk or also known as chunk is a German cocktail that consists of brown or white rum and Club-Mate. Typically served with limes, the drink has a bracing effect due to Club-Mate containing lots of sugar and caffeine and the alcohol expediting the caffeine’s effect.

Club-Mate contains 20 milligrams of caffeine/100 milligrams. It has low sugar content, only containing 5 grams per 100 milligrams and low calorie content of 20 kcal per 100 milligrams of beverage compared to other drinks like Coke. Geola Beverages originally marketed and formulated the drink under the name Sekt-Bronte. Club-Mate was only recognized regionally until it was acquired by Loscher and promoted under its current name.

 Loscher promoted the Club-Mate winter edition in December 2007. The limited edition contains the original formula combined with cinnamon, citrus extract, star anise and cardamom. It’s since offered regularly for a limited time in winter. Club-Mate-styled cola was launched in 2009 and unlike other kinds of cola, its recipe consists of mate-extract. Club-Mate variant with additional pomegranate flavor was released in 2013. It was called Club-Mate Granat.

Similar to Club-Mate which has developed a following in tech start-ups and computer hacker culture, Tschunk is a usual drink in European hacker culture. It can frequently be found at scene typical occasions or locations such as the c-base or Chaos Computer Club.

Tschunk is typically served with limes and the rim of the glass can be covered with salt. The name of the drink is not connected to the word chunk. Tschunk was initially served in the Club Forschung, also called the Club for-chunk, in Rosenthaler Straße, Berlin. Chunk is also usually served during parties at German universities due to the great amount of caffeine it contains. Due to the global audience it has, the drink can now be found in other states like Canada and United States.

Ingredients for Making the Cocktail

·         Club-Mate

·         4 to 6 cl dark rum or golden rum 

·         Limes

·         Brown sugar (optional)

·         Ice

Preparation Stages

Cocktails had become more popular today and you can make one on your own. The disadvantage of purchasing cocktails is that lots of bar owners mix both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages with the drink, which is very dangerous to consume. In the past, cocktails were made by combining rum, whiskey or gin with a small amount of vodka. A lot of cocktails were made by mixing it with gin. The quantity and quality of present in cocktail is less compared to other alcoholic drinks. Tschunk, in particular, is very popular in various parts of the world due to its content.  As it contains Club-Mate, drinkers can expect that it contains low calories and low sugar content. It is a very refreshing drink as it contains caffeine and the effects of the caffeine are accelerated by its alcohol content.

To make your own Tschunk, dice limes. Put it and the brown sugar in a high glass. Crush both and then add crushed ice. Pour the mate and rum over it. Add a straw and serve.