Your Guide to Philz Mint Mojito Coffee
Quick answer
- Use a medium-coarse grind for your coffee.
- Freshly ground beans are key for that vibrant flavor.
- Aim for a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, but adjust to your taste.
- Use filtered water, heated to around 200°F.
- Don’t pack the grounds too tightly in your brewer.
- Taste and adjust! It’s your coffee, after all.
Who this is for
- Anyone who loves that unique Philz Mint Mojito flavor at home.
- Home brewers looking to replicate a coffee shop favorite.
- Coffee enthusiasts who enjoy experimenting with flavored brews.
What to check first
Brewer type and filter type
This recipe works best with pour-over or drip coffee makers. You’ll want a filter that lets the oils and fine particles through for a richer cup. Paper filters are common, but a metal or cloth filter can give you a different texture. Check what your brewer recommends.
Water quality and temperature
Bad water makes bad coffee. Period. Use filtered water if your tap water has a strong taste. For Philz’s signature brew, aim for water just off the boil, around 195-205°F. Too hot and you can scorch the grounds, too cool and you won’t extract enough flavor. I usually let my kettle sit for about 30 seconds after it boils.
Grind size and coffee freshness
This is huge for mint mojito. You want a grind that’s medium-coarse, like sea salt. Too fine, and you’ll get bitter, over-extracted coffee. Too coarse, and it’ll be weak and watery. And for Pete’s sake, use fresh beans. Coffee loses its magic fast after grinding. Grind right before you brew.
Coffee-to-water ratio
A good starting point for most coffee is a 1:15 ratio. That means 1 gram of coffee for every 15 grams (or milliliters) of water. For a standard 12 oz cup (about 350ml), that’s roughly 23 grams of coffee. This is just a baseline, though. Philz often has a bolder flavor, so you might lean closer to 1:14 or even 1:13 if you like it strong.
Cleanliness/descale status
A dirty brewer is a flavor killer. Make sure your coffee maker is clean. Scale buildup can affect water temperature and flow, and it leaves behind nasty flavors. Descale your machine regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. It’s a simple step that makes a massive difference.
Step-by-step (brew workflow)
1. Gather your ingredients and gear. You’ll need your Philz Mint Mojito coffee beans, filtered water, a grinder, your brewer, and a mug.
- Good: Everything is clean and ready to go.
- Mistake: Using stale beans or a dirty brewer. Avoid by prepping ahead and cleaning after each use.
2. Heat your water. Bring your filtered water to a boil, then let it sit for about 30 seconds to reach the ideal temperature (195-205°F).
- Good: Water is hot but not scorching.
- Mistake: Pouring boiling water directly onto the grounds. This can burn the coffee and create bitterness.
3. Weigh your coffee beans. Use a scale for accuracy. For a 12 oz cup, start with about 23 grams of beans.
- Good: Precise measurement for consistent results.
- Mistake: Guessing the amount. This leads to inconsistent strength and flavor.
Using a coffee scale is crucial for consistency. This one offers great precision for dialing in your perfect brew.
- Barista-Level Precision: A 0.1g high-precision sensor with a rapid refresh rate responds instantly to changes in weight, helping you achieve consistent results across espresso, pour over, drip coffee, Chemex, V60, and filter coffee brewing.
- Integrated Brew Timer: A built-in count-up and count-down timer tracks bloom, extraction, and espresso shots. Ideal for dialing in espresso, timing Chemex and V60 pour over recipes, or steeping tea. Auto-shutoff helps preserve battery life between brews.
- Durable Waterproof Silicone Cover: The heat-resistant, dishwasher-safe silicone cover helps protect the coffee scale's spacious 5.25" x 5.25" weighing surface from splashes, spills, and hot equipment. The grooved surface provides added stability and makes cleanup quick and easy.
- Versatile Measurement Options: Quick-tare and 6 unit options make it easy to weigh coffee beans, espresso shots, matcha portions, and more. Choose from g, ml, lb, lb:oz, oz, and fl oz for added flexibility in the kitchen and coffee bar.
- Intuitive Design: A bright dual-color LCD display clearly separates weight and timer readings, while simple controls make daily brewing easy. Includes 3 AAA batteries and is backed by 5 years of coverage, with support from our St. Louis-based team whenever you need a hand.
4. Grind your coffee beans. Grind them to a medium-coarse consistency, like sea salt. Do this just before brewing.
- Good: Freshly ground beans with a uniform, coarse texture.
- Mistake: Using pre-ground coffee or grinding too fine. This results in stale flavor or bitter brews.
5. Prepare your brewer and filter. Place your filter in the brewer. If using a paper filter, rinse it with hot water to remove paper taste and preheat the brewer. Discard the rinse water.
- Good: Filter is wet and the brewer is warm.
- Mistake: Forgetting to rinse the paper filter. This can leave a papery aftertaste.
6. Add the ground coffee to the filter. Gently shake the brewer to level the coffee bed. Don’t pack it down.
- Good: An even bed of grounds, ready for water.
- Mistake: Tamping the grounds. This restricts water flow and can lead to uneven extraction.
7. Bloom the coffee. Pour just enough hot water (about twice the weight of the coffee) to saturate all the grounds. Let it sit for 30 seconds. You’ll see it bubble and expand.
- Good: The coffee “blooms” evenly, releasing CO2.
- Mistake: Skipping the bloom or pouring too much water. This can lead to a weak start and uneven extraction.
8. Begin the main pour. Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the grounds in a circular motion, starting from the center and working your way out. Aim for a steady flow.
- Good: Water is absorbed evenly, and the brew bed stays relatively flat.
- Mistake: Pouring too fast or all at once. This can create channels and result in under-extracted coffee.
9. Complete the brew. Continue pouring until you reach your desired water volume. The total brew time should be around 2.5 to 4 minutes, depending on your brewer.
- Good: All the water has passed through the grounds, leaving a clean puck.
- Mistake: Letting the water drip too long or stopping too soon. This affects the final strength and flavor profile.
10. Remove the brewer and serve. Once dripping stops, remove the brewer. Give your coffee a gentle swirl.
- Good: A rich, aromatic cup of coffee.
- Mistake: Leaving the brewer on the carafe after brewing is done. This can lead to a bitter taste from over-extraction.
11. Taste and adjust for next time. Sip your coffee. Is it too strong? Too weak? Bitter? Sweet? Make notes for your next brew.
- Good: You’re actively learning and refining your technique.
- Mistake: Never adjusting your recipe. You’ll keep making the same less-than-perfect cup.
Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)
| Mistake | What it causes | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Using pre-ground coffee | Stale flavor, lack of aroma, muted mint notes. | Grind beans right before brewing. |
| Water too hot or too cold | Scorched, bitter coffee (too hot); weak, sour coffee (too cold). | Use filtered water between 195-205°F. Let boiling water sit for 30 secs. |
| Incorrect grind size (too fine) | Bitter, over-extracted, muddy coffee. Clogs filters. | Aim for medium-coarse, like sea salt. |
| Incorrect grind size (too coarse) | Weak, watery, under-extracted coffee with little flavor. | Aim for medium-coarse, like sea salt. |
| Not blooming the coffee | Uneven extraction, gassy taste, weak initial flavor. | Pour a small amount of water to wet all grounds, let sit 30 secs. |
| Packing the coffee grounds | Water channels, uneven extraction, weak spots, bitter spots. | Gently shake to level; do not press or tamp. |
| Using tap water with strong flavors | Off-flavors (chlorine, minerals) that mask the coffee and mint notes. | Use filtered or bottled water. |
| Dirty brewer or stale water reservoir | Musty, bitter, or metallic tastes that ruin the coffee. | Clean your brewer regularly and descale as needed. Use fresh water. |
| Inconsistent coffee-to-water ratio | Coffee that’s too strong or too weak. Flavor profile is off. | Weigh your coffee and water using a scale. Start with 1:15 and adjust. |
| Over-extraction (too long brew time) | Bitter, astringent, harsh coffee. | Monitor brew time (aim for 2.5-4 mins) and remove brewer once dripping slows significantly. |
| Under-extraction (too short brew time) | Sour, weak, thin coffee with little body or flavor complexity. | Ensure water temperature is correct and grind size isn’t too coarse. Increase brew time slightly. |
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 or sour, then try a finer grind because coarse grinds can under-extract.
- If your coffee tastes like burnt plastic, then check if your water is too hot because boiling water can scorch the grounds.
- If your coffee tastes dull and stale, then use fresher beans and grind them right before brewing because coffee loses flavor rapidly after grinding.
- If you’re using a paper filter and the coffee tastes papery, then rinse the filter with hot water before brewing because this removes the paper taste.
- If your coffee is consistently too strong, then use less coffee or more water (increase the ratio, e.g., 1:16) because this dilutes the brew.
- If your coffee is consistently too weak, then use more coffee or less water (decrease the ratio, e.g., 1:14) because this intensifies the brew.
- If you notice uneven extraction (some grounds look darker or lighter), then ensure your coffee bed is level and your pour is consistent because this promotes uniform saturation.
- If your brewer is dripping very slowly or not at all, then check your grind size; it might be too fine because fine grinds can clog the filter.
- If your coffee tastes off and you can’t pinpoint why, then clean your brewer thoroughly because residue can significantly impact flavor.
- If you’re aiming for that specific Philz bold flavor, then lean towards a slightly lower water ratio (e.g., 1:13 or 1:14) because this results in a more concentrated cup.
FAQ
What’s the best way to store Philz Mint Mojito coffee beans?
Keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, away from heat and light. Avoid the refrigerator or freezer, as condensation can harm the beans.
Can I use a French press for this coffee?
While possible, a French press might not be ideal for replicating the Philz experience. Its immersion brewing can sometimes lead to a muddier cup than pour-over, and the distinct mint notes might be less pronounced.
How much coffee should I use for a 16 oz mug?
For a 16 oz mug (about 470ml), start with around 31 grams of coffee using a 1:15 ratio. Adjust based on your preference for strength.
Is it okay to add milk and sugar to my Philz Mint Mojito coffee?
Absolutely! Philz coffee is designed to be enjoyed as is, but feel free to add your preferred milk, cream, or sweetener to customize it to your taste.
How long does it take to brew a cup?
A typical pour-over brew for a single cup should take between 2.5 to 4 minutes from the first pour to the last drip.
What makes the Philz Mint Mojito coffee unique?
It’s the specific blend of coffee beans combined with a hint of mint flavor. The brewing method also plays a role in bringing out those distinct notes.
Can I use an espresso machine for this?
This coffee blend is generally intended for drip or pour-over methods. Espresso machines use much higher pressure and finer grinds, which would result in a very different, likely unpleasant, extraction.
How do I know if my grind is “medium-coarse”?
Think of the texture of coarse sand or sea salt. It should be noticeably larger than table salt but not as large as breadcrumbs.
What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)
- Specific Philz coffee blend sourcing and roasting profiles.
- Detailed comparisons of different coffee grinder types (burr vs. blade).
- Advanced latte art techniques or milk steaming.
- The history of Philz Coffee or the origin of the Mint Mojito blend.
- Specific recommendations for water filters or brands.
