Former Barista Reveals the Secrets Behind Philz Coffee’s Creamy Drinks
It’s coffee confessional time! The recipe for Philz Coffee’s super creamy coffee drinks if a closely-guarded secret. But an anonymous former barista just spilled the beans in a social media post.
The post shared the secrets behind Philz Coffee’s famously creamy drinks, allowing coffee enthusiasts to recreate the beloved beverages at home.
The anonymous ex-employee provided a detailed guide on how to achieve the same rich flavor and texture that has made Philz a favorite among coffee lovers.

How to Make a Philz Coffee at Home
“You most certainly can recreate our coffee!” the former barista exclaimed. “We grind it up to an espresso-sized ground (ask any one of our baristas to do so for you in store if you have bought a pound bag), dump the grinds into a flat bottom drip machine (we use a plastic ring thing with a coffee filter laid over it), and pour 2.25 (for a small 12 oz) or 2.5 (for a large 16 oz) cups of 200-degree water over said grinds, stirring the grinds to make sure there are no clumps.”
The precise temperature of the water, 200 degrees Fahrenheit, is crucial in capturing the authentic taste of Philz Coffee. According to the former barista, this specific temperature significantly impacts the flavor profile, setting it apart from typical home-brewed coffee.
Philz K-Cups and other home brewing products definitely won’t match that precision!

The Creamy Secret
But the magic doesn’t stop there. Philz Coffee’s signature creaminess comes from its unique use of heavy whipping cream and organic brown sugar.
“For the cream, we shake it up until it thickens in the carton, and we keep it out at room temperature (not advocating you do this at home, though…),” the former barista revealed. “Play around with relative measurements of those two things, and voila! Home-brewed, in-store caliber coffee.”
The barista revealed that Philz uses C&H Golden Brown Sugar and Berkeley Farms heavy cream.
Other Secrets
The barista also emphasized the importance of stirring the coffee grounds during brewing to ensure there are no clumps, which contributes to the smooth and consistent flavor of the final product.
The barista also said, in terms of the quantity of grounds, “We use a scoop to measure out the beans from the row of tins in the back, then grind them up. I would say, eye balling it, it’s about a packed 1/2 cup of fully ground beans for a a small cup and loosely packed 3/4 cup for a large.”
This inside knowledge has sparked excitement among Philz fans eager to replicate their favorite drinks. One wrote “Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear this!”
As coffee lovers across the nation experiment with these tips, the former barista’s revelation has undoubtedly brought a new level of appreciation for the craft behind Philz Coffee. So, next time you crave that perfect cup, remember these tips and bring a piece of Philz into your home. Enjoy your at-home Philz experience!
Here’s the exact steps again:
- Grind Coffee: Use an espresso-sized grind for the coffee beans.
- Tip: Ask a Philz barista to grind your beans this way if you purchase a pound bag in-store.
- Set Up Drip Machine:
- Use a flat bottom drip machine.
- Place a plastic ring with a coffee filter laid over it in the machine.
- Add Coffee Grounds:
- Dump the ground coffee into the filter.
- Pour Water:
- For a small (12 oz) cup: Use 2.25 cups of 200-degree Fahrenheit water.
- For a large (16 oz) cup: Use 2.5 cups of 200-degree Fahrenheit water.
- Note: Ensure the water is precisely 200 degrees for the best taste.
- Stir Grounds:
- Stir the coffee grounds to prevent clumping during the brewing process.
- Prepare Cream:
- Use heavy whipping cream as a creamer.
- Shake the cream until it thickens in the carton.
- Note: Philz keeps the cream at room temperature, but it is not recommended to do this at home.
- Sweeten Coffee:
- Use organic brown sugar to sweeten the coffee to taste.
- Adjust Measurements:
- Experiment with the relative amounts of cream and sugar to find your preferred balance.
- Enjoy: Savor your homemade Philz-quality coffee!