st.cryptic 2447

[BigBoab]

14a. It's a non alcoholic drink, officer. m?t?
I thought "mate" as in 1st mate and tea but it is very loose. Please help.

[Catron]

Have you not heard of the ship's mate? This is from Chambers:

mate1
n a companion; an equal; a fellow worker, occupant, etc (often in combination, as workmate, flatmate, etc); a friendly or ironic form of address; a husband or wife; an animal with which another is paired to produce young; one of a pair; a ship's officer under the captain or master; in the navy, formerly a rank to which a warrant officer might be promoted;

[BigBoab]

as I said in my question I did think of "mate" it was the non alcoholic drink connection I was unsure of, I assume it is tea. thanks

[Catron]

Yes, sorry, I did not read your question properly. Yes, you are correct - mate is a tea:

mate
n a S American species of holly (Ilex paraguayensis); an infusion of its leaves and green shoots, Paraguay tea.

[BigBoab]

Very many thanks!