Making the Philz Mint Mojito Coffee

Quick answer

• Use a Philz-style pour-over brewer.
• Start with medium-coarse grounds.
• Bloom the coffee with hot water.
• Pour water slowly in concentric circles.
• Add fresh mint leaves and sweetener after brewing.
• Adjust to your taste.

Who this is for

• Coffee lovers who’ve tried Philz Mint Mojito and want to recreate it at home.
• Home baristas looking to experiment with flavored coffee drinks.
• Anyone who enjoys a refreshing twist on their morning cup.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

This drink is best made with a pour-over method, similar to how Philz Coffee brews theirs. You’ll want a brewer that allows for good control over the pour. A paper filter is standard, but some folks like to experiment with metal filters for a different body. Check your brewer’s manual for the recommended filter type.

This drink is best made with a pour-over method, similar to how Philz Coffee brews theirs. If you’re looking for a reliable option, this pour over coffee maker is a great choice for achieving good control over your pour.

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• Pour Over Coffee: Manual Pour Over Coffee Maker allows you to brew an excellent cup of Coffee in minutes
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• Quick and Easy: Simply add coarse ground Coffee to filter, pour a small amount of water in a circular motion over ground Coffee until soaked then add the remaining water and let drip
• Servings: Pour Over Coffee Maker makes 8 cups of Coffee, 4 oz each; dishwasher safe

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Water quality and temperature

Good coffee starts with good water. If your tap water tastes funky, your coffee will too. Consider using filtered water. For brewing, aim for water between 195°F and 205°F. Too hot and you’ll scorch the grounds; too cool and you won’t extract enough flavor.

Grind size and coffee freshness

For a pour-over, you’re usually looking for a grind size that’s medium-coarse, like coarse sand. Freshly ground beans make a huge difference. Grind right before you brew if you can. Stale coffee loses its aromatic oils, and that’s where the good stuff is.

Coffee-to-water ratio

A good starting point is around 1:15 to 1:17 coffee to water. So, for every gram of coffee, use 15-17 grams of water. If you’re using ounces, that’s roughly 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 oz of water. Adjust this based on how strong you like it.

Cleanliness/descale status

Your brewer and grinder need to be clean. Old coffee oils can turn rancid and ruin the taste of even the best beans. If you have a machine, make sure it’s descaled according to the manufacturer’s instructions. A clean setup is key.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Gather your ingredients and gear.

• What to do: Get your coffee beans, fresh mint leaves, sweetener (like simple syrup or sugar), your pour-over brewer, filter, kettle, and mug ready.
• What “good” looks like: Everything is within reach, and you’re not scrambling mid-brew.
• Common mistake: Forgetting the mint or sweetener until the coffee is already brewed. Avoid this by having it all prepped.

2. Heat your water.

• What to do: Heat fresh, filtered water to between 195°F and 205°F.
• What “good” looks like: The water is at the right temperature, not boiling furiously.
• Common mistake: Using boiling water. This can burn your coffee grounds. Let it sit for 30 seconds to a minute after it boils if you don’t have a temperature-controlled kettle.

3. Grind your coffee.

• What to do: Grind your favorite medium-roast coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds look like coarse sand.
• Common mistake: Grinding too fine. This can lead to over-extraction and a bitter cup.

4. Prepare the brewer.

• What to do: Place your filter in the pour-over brewer and rinse it with hot water. Discard the rinse water.
• What “good” looks like: The filter is seated properly and the paper taste is rinsed away.
• Common mistake: Not rinsing the filter. This can impart a papery taste to your coffee.

5. Add coffee to the brewer.

• What to do: Add your freshly ground coffee to the rinsed filter. Gently shake to level the bed of grounds.
• What “good” looks like: An even bed of coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Not leveling the grounds. This can cause uneven extraction.

6. Bloom the coffee.

• What to do: Pour just enough hot water over the grounds to saturate them evenly. Let it sit for 30-45 seconds.
• What “good” looks like: The coffee grounds puff up and release CO2, looking like a bubbling mass.
• Common mistake: Pouring too much water or skipping this step. Blooming allows the coffee to degas, which is crucial for even extraction.

7. Begin the main pour.

• What to do: Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the grounds in a steady, circular motion, starting from the center and working your way out, avoiding the edges.
• What “good” looks like: A controlled, consistent pour that keeps the water level stable without overflowing.
• Common mistake: Pouring too fast or in a jerky motion. This can agitate the grounds too much and lead to uneven extraction.

8. Continue pouring in stages.

• What to do: Pour in stages, allowing the water level to drop slightly before adding more. Aim for a total brew time of 2.5 to 4 minutes, depending on the amount.
• What “good” looks like: The coffee is dripping steadily into your mug.
• Common mistake: Pouring all the water at once. This floods the brewer and leads to poor extraction.

9. Remove the brewer.

• What to do: Once the water has mostly dripped through, remove the brewer.
• What “good” looks like: The grounds are mostly spent, and your mug is full of delicious coffee.
• Common mistake: Letting the brewer drip until the very last drop. This can sometimes add bitter notes.

10. Add mint and sweetener.

• What to do: Gently muddle a few fresh mint leaves at the bottom of your mug before pouring the coffee, or add them to the brewed coffee. Stir in your preferred sweetener.
• What “good” looks like: The mint is fragrant, and the sweetness is balanced.
• Common mistake: Adding mint too early to a hot brewer. It can cook the mint and make it bitter. Adding it to the brewed coffee or muddling it first is best.

11. Stir and enjoy.

• What to do: Stir everything together well.
• What “good” looks like: A perfectly blended, refreshing mint mojito coffee.
• Common mistake: Not stirring enough. You want that minty goodness distributed throughout.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your coffee tastes bitter, then try a coarser grind because fine grinds can over-extract.
• If your coffee tastes weak and sour, then try a finer grind because coarse grinds can under-extract.
• If your coffee tastes burnt, then your water might be too hot, so let it cool slightly before pouring.
• If your coffee tastes papery, then you likely didn’t rinse your filter enough, so rinse it thoroughly next time.
• If your coffee has an uneven extraction (some parts strong, some weak), then ensure you are blooming the coffee and pouring evenly.
• If you want a stronger cup, then use a higher coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:15 instead of 1:17).
• If you want a milder cup, then use a lower coffee-to-water ratio (e.g., 1:17 instead of 1:15).
• If your brew time is too fast (under 2.5 minutes), then your grind might be too coarse, or you’re pouring too quickly.
• If your brew time is too slow (over 4 minutes), then your grind might be too fine, or you’re pouring too slowly.
• If your mint flavor is weak, then try muddling the mint leaves a bit before adding them to the coffee.
• If your mint flavor is too strong or harsh, then use fewer mint leaves or less aggressive muddling.
• If you’re getting sediment in your cup, then your grind might be too fine for your filter, or you’re pouring too aggressively.

FAQ

What kind of coffee beans are best for Philz Mint Mojito?

Philz typically uses a medium roast. A smooth, balanced medium roast will complement the mint and sweetener without being overshadowed or creating a harsh base.

How much mint should I use?

Start with a few fresh leaves, maybe 3-5 per cup. You can always add more if you want a stronger mint flavor. Fresh is key here; dried mint won’t give you that bright, refreshing taste.

What sweetener works best?

Simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved and cooled) is ideal because it mixes easily into cold or hot coffee. Granulated sugar works too, but you’ll need to stir it more thoroughly.

Can I use a different brewing method?

While Philz uses a pour-over, you could adapt this to other methods like a French press or even an Aeropress. The key is to get a good extraction of the coffee first, then add your mint and sweetener.

How do I make it iced?

Brew the coffee slightly stronger, let it cool, then pour over ice. Add your mint and sweetener to the cooled coffee before chilling or pouring over ice.

Is there a specific Philz recipe I should follow?

Philz Coffee is known for its custom blends and the ability to tailor drinks. This guide mimics their popular Mint Mojito style, but feel free to experiment with ratios and ingredients to find your perfect cup.

How can I make it less sweet?

Simply reduce the amount of sweetener you add. The goal is to balance the coffee and mint, not to make it overly sugary.

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

• Specific Philz Coffee proprietary bean blends or their exact flavor profiles. (Next: Visit a Philz Coffee shop to taste their offerings.)
• Advanced pour-over techniques like specific water agitation patterns or turbulence control. (Next: Explore resources on advanced pour-over brewing.)
• Detailed explanations of coffee extraction science beyond basic principles. (Next: Look into coffee brewing science guides.)
• Commercial-scale brewing methods used in coffee shops. (Next: Research commercial coffee brewing equipment and techniques.)