Making Bulletproof Cold Brew Coffee at Home

Quick answer

• You can make Bulletproof Cold Brew by adding MCT oil and grass-fed butter to your finished cold brew coffee.
• Start with a strong cold brew concentrate for the best flavor.
• Use a high-quality MCT oil and unsalted, grass-fed butter.
• Blend the ingredients thoroughly for a smooth, emulsified texture.
• Adjust the amount of oil and butter to your personal taste and dietary needs.
• Ensure your cold brew is properly chilled before adding the butter and oil.

For the best results, be sure to use unsalted, grass-fed butter. You can find a great option here.

Kerrygold, Irish Salted Butter Sticks, 16 Ounce

• KERRYGOLD SALTED BUTTER STICKS: Made in Ireland, leveraging generations of dairy craftsmanship — Kerrygold Salted Butter Sticks 4 pack deliver a smooth and satisfying flavor
• GRASS FED BUTTER: What sets this European butter apart is the milk. Grass-fed cows produce naturally rich milk, giving Kerrygold butter its silky texture and that golden yellow color
• REAL, SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: Crafted using pasteurized cream and salt, Kerrygold keeps it refreshingly simple. Taste the difference with quality ingredients handled with care for a balanced, pure Irish butter
• RICH, CREAMY, & EASY TO SPREAD: This spreadable butter softens beautifully at room temperature, making it a natural choice for toast, muffins, and warm bread. No waiting, no effort—just a smooth, satisfying spread every time
• ELEVATE EVERYDAY COOKING: A dependable salted butter for daily meals, however you cook. Sauté vegetables, make hollandaise sauce or perfectly golden grilled cheese, finish seafood dishes, or prepare butter popcorn for movie night

Buy on Amazon

Who this is for

• Coffee enthusiasts looking to enhance their morning routine with a nutrient-dense beverage.
• Individuals following a ketogenic or low-carb diet who want a satiating coffee option.
• Home brewers seeking to experiment with popular coffee trends and flavor combinations.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

The type of brewer you use for your cold brew concentrate will impact the final taste and clarity. Drip coffee makers, pour-over setups, or French presses are not ideal for traditional cold brew. Immersion methods, where coffee grounds are fully submerged in water, are best. This typically involves a jar, a large pitcher, or a dedicated cold brew maker.

Filters are crucial for a clean cup. Paper filters can remove fine sediment but may also strip away some oils and flavor. Metal mesh filters allow more oils through, resulting in a richer, fuller-bodied brew, but may leave more sediment. Cold brew bags or fine-mesh strainers are also common. Ensure your chosen filter is clean and appropriate for your brewing method.

Water quality and temperature

The quality of your water significantly affects the taste of your coffee. If your tap water has a strong taste or odor, it will transfer to your cold brew. Using filtered water, such as from a Brita pitcher or a more advanced filtration system, is recommended for a cleaner, more neutral base.

Cold brew is made with cold or room temperature water, typically between 50-70°F (10-21°C). You don’t need to heat the water. The brewing process relies on time rather than heat to extract the coffee’s flavor. Using water that is too warm can lead to over-extraction and a bitter taste, even in cold brew.

Grind size and coffee freshness

For cold brew, a coarse grind is essential. Think of the consistency of breadcrumbs or coarse sea salt. A grind that is too fine will over-extract, leading to bitterness, and can clog your filter, making it difficult to strain. A grind that is too coarse may result in a weak, underdeveloped brew.

Freshly roasted coffee beans will always yield the best flavor. Look for beans with a roast date on the bag, ideally within the last few weeks. Pre-ground coffee can be used, but it loses its volatile aromatics much faster. If using pre-ground coffee, opt for a coarse grind specifically labeled for cold brew if available.

Coffee-to-water ratio

The ratio of coffee grounds to water is critical for achieving a balanced and flavorful cold brew concentrate. A common starting point is a 1:4 ratio, meaning one part coffee to four parts water by weight or volume. For example, 8 ounces of coffee grounds to 32 ounces of water.

Experimentation is key here, as personal preference varies. Some prefer a stronger concentrate (e.g., 1:3) which they dilute with water or milk later, while others prefer a slightly less concentrated brew (e.g., 1:5). Using a kitchen scale for precise measurements will yield more consistent results than using volume alone.

Cleanliness/descale status

Regular cleaning of your brewing equipment is paramount. Coffee oils can build up over time and turn rancid, imparting off-flavors to your brew. After each use, rinse and wash your brewing vessel, filter, and any other parts that came into contact with coffee. A deeper clean with mild soap or a specialized coffee cleaner may be needed periodically.

If you have a coffee maker with a descaling function, ensure it’s up-to-date. Mineral deposits from water can affect brewing temperature and water flow, impacting extraction. For manual brewing methods, simply ensure all components are free of coffee residue and any hard water stains.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Measure your coffee grounds.

• What good looks like: You have a measured amount of coarse coffee grounds ready for brewing. For example, 8 ounces of coffee.
• Common mistake: Using a fine grind. This leads to bitterness and difficult straining.
• How to avoid: Grind your beans fresh and ensure the consistency is coarse, like sea salt.

2. Measure your water.

• What good looks like: You have the correct amount of cold, filtered water measured. For an 8 oz coffee ratio, you’d measure 32 oz of water.
• Common mistake: Using tap water with off-flavors.
• How to avoid: Use filtered water for a clean taste.

3. Combine coffee and water.

• What good looks like: All coffee grounds are submerged in the water.
• Common mistake: Not ensuring all grounds are wet, leading to uneven extraction.
• How to avoid: Gently stir the mixture to ensure saturation.

4. Steep the coffee.

• What good looks like: The mixture is covered and steeping at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
• Common mistake: Steeping for too short a time (weak coffee) or too long (bitter coffee).
• How to avoid: Aim for 18-24 hours for a balanced flavor. Adjust based on your preference and coffee.

5. Prepare for straining.

• What good looks like: Your filter (mesh, cloth, or paper) is secured over a clean container.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty filter or a container that isn’t clean.
• How to avoid: Wash all equipment thoroughly before use.

6. Strain the cold brew.

• What good looks like: The liquid is slowly dripping into the clean container, leaving the grounds behind.
• Common mistake: Rushing the process, which can lead to sediment.
• How to avoid: Let gravity do the work; avoid pressing the grounds.

7. Double-strain if needed.

• What good looks like: The cold brew is clear of most fine sediment.
• Common mistake: Accepting a cloudy or gritty final product.
• How to avoid: If your first strain leaves sediment, strain it again through a finer filter, like a paper coffee filter lined in a mesh strainer.

8. Chill the concentrate.

• What good looks like: The cold brew concentrate is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Common mistake: Leaving the concentrate at room temperature for extended periods.
• How to avoid: Always refrigerate your cold brew concentrate promptly.

9. Prepare your Bulletproof ingredients.

• What good looks like: You have unsalted, grass-fed butter and MCT oil measured and ready.
• Common mistake: Using salted butter or regular oil.
• How to avoid: Use unsalted, grass-fed butter and 100% pure MCT oil for best results.

10. Combine and blend.

• What good looks like: The cold brew, butter, and MCT oil are blended until smooth and emulsified.
• Common mistake: Simply stirring, which won’t emulsify the fats.
• How to avoid: Use a blender (immersion or countertop) for a creamy, integrated texture.

11. Serve and enjoy.

• What good looks like: A smooth, creamy, and rich coffee beverage.
• Common mistake: Not tasting and adjusting the butter/oil ratio.
• How to avoid: Add more butter or oil gradually to find your perfect balance.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your cold brew tastes weak, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio for your next batch because a lower ratio means less coffee extraction.
• If your cold brew tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind or a shorter steep time because bitterness often comes from over-extraction.
• If your Bulletproof coffee separates into an oily layer, then blend it longer or use an immersion blender because proper blending emulsifies the fats.
• If you experience digestive discomfort from Bulletproof coffee, then reduce the amount of MCT oil or butter because too much fat can be hard to digest initially.
• If your cold brew has sediment, then strain it a second time through a finer filter because fine particles can pass through a coarse filter.
• If your finished Bulletproof coffee is too thin, then add a little more butter or MCT oil because these fats contribute to the creamy texture.
• If your coffee tastes stale, then use fresher coffee beans because stale beans lack the vibrant flavors needed for a good brew.
• If your brewing equipment has a persistent odor, then deep clean it with a coffee cleaner because residual oils can go rancid.
• If you want a stronger coffee flavor without more caffeine, then brew a more concentrated cold brew and dilute it with water or ice because concentration is about extraction strength, not just bean quantity.
• If your butter and oil don’t fully combine, then ensure your cold brew is cold; room temperature liquids emulsify fats better than warm ones.
• If you are new to MCT oil, then start with a very small amount, like half a teaspoon, because it can cause digestive upset in beginners.

FAQ

Can I use regular butter for Bulletproof coffee?

While you can technically use regular butter, unsalted, grass-fed butter is recommended for the best flavor and nutritional profile. Regular butter may contain more water and salt, which can affect the taste and emulsification.

What is MCT oil and why is it used?

MCT stands for Medium-Chain Triglycerides, a type of fat that is easily digested and quickly converted into energy. In Bulletproof coffee, it’s believed to enhance cognitive function and provide sustained energy without the crash.

How much MCT oil and butter should I use?

This is highly personal. A common starting point is 1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter and 1 teaspoon of MCT oil per 8-12 ounces of coffee. You can adjust these amounts based on your taste preferences and dietary goals.

Can I make Bulletproof cold brew ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the blended Bulletproof cold brew and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. However, it’s best enjoyed fresh as the emulsification can break down over time.

Will this add a lot of calories to my coffee?

Yes, adding butter and MCT oil significantly increases the calorie count of your coffee. This is often a desired effect for those seeking a satiating meal replacement or a ketogenic beverage.

What happens if I don’t blend the ingredients?

If you simply stir the butter and MCT oil into your cold brew, they will not emulsify properly. You’ll likely end up with an oily layer on top and a less creamy, less integrated beverage.

Is Bulletproof coffee healthy?

The health benefits of Bulletproof coffee are debated. While MCT oil and grass-fed butter can provide energy and certain nutrients, it’s a high-calorie beverage and not a substitute for a balanced diet. Consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Detailed nutritional breakdowns of MCT oil and grass-fed butter.
• Specific health claims or medical advice related to ketogenic diets or Bulletproof coffee.
• Recipes for other coffee-based drinks or variations of Bulletproof coffee.
• Recommendations for specific brands of MCT oil or grass-fed butter.

To learn more, consider exploring resources on ketogenic diets, the science behind MCT oil, and the various benefits and drawbacks of high-fat coffee beverages.