How to Make Philz Coffee at Home: A Complete Guide

Coffee aficionados often find themselves enchanted by the unique and flavorful brews available at coffee shops. One particular mecca for coffee lovers is Philz Coffee, a San Francisco-based chain known for its personalized pour-over coffee creations. 

If you’re a fan of Philz Coffee and would like to recreate the magic in the comfort of your home, you’re in luck. This article will show you how to make Philz-style coffee that will tantalize your taste buds.

Making Philz Coffee at Home Like a Pro

Here’s how to brew your own exquisite Philz Coffee at home:

Step 1: Choose the Right Beans

In the ongoing war between Arabica and Robusta, Arabica wins this battle.

Arabica beans are indeed the favored choice for a pour-over brew that captures the essence of Philz Coffee. These beans are known for their mild and nuanced flavor profiles, making them an excellent match for the pour-over method. 

While Robusta beans do have their place in the coffee world, they may not be the ideal choice for replicating Philz-style pour-over coffee. Robusta beans often have a stronger, more bitter taste and a higher caffeine content compared to Arabica beans.

For the most authentic experience, you can buy Philz coffee beans from any Philz location, on the Philz website or on Amazon.

Step 2: Grind and Measure the Coffee

To replicate the rich and flavorful brew Philz is known for, grind your chosen coffee beans to a medium-coarse consistency. The grind should resemble sea salt in texture. 

Next, measure the coffee. For every 6 ounces (177 ml) of water you plan to use, you’ll want to measure out approximately 2.5 tablespoons of medium-coarse coffee. 

Step 3: Heat the Water

Bring filtered water to a boil and allow it to cool for about a minute before using it for brewing. You should aim for a water temperature of around 200°F (93°C). This temperature range allows the coffee grounds to release their flavors without the risk of over-extraction or scalding.

Step 4: Wet the Filter

To ensure the best taste, rinse the filter with hot water. This serves two purposes: it eliminates any potential paper taste that can affect your coffee and, simultaneously, it preheats the brewing vessel. 

Once done, place your chosen pour-over coffee maker, such as a Chemex or Hario V60, along with a coffee filter, on top of your coffee mug or glass.

Step 5: Add Coffee Grounds

With the filter prepared, it’s time to add the freshly ground coffee. You’ll want to measure out the coffee grounds according to the coffee-to-water ratio mentioned earlier (2.5 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water).

Step 6: Bloom the Coffee

Start the brewing process by pouring just enough hot water to cover the coffee grounds. This is called the “bloom.” 

Let it sit for about 30 seconds, allowing the coffee to release its gases and expand.

Step 7: Pour Slowly and Steadily

Once the bloom has taken place, it’s time for the main pour-over brewing process. Start pouring hot water over the coffee grounds in a steady, circular motion. The goal here is to ensure even saturation of the coffee grounds.

Pouring the water slowly and steadily is crucial for maintaining an even extraction and getting the most out of your coffee beans. You want every particle of coffee to receive the right amount of water to release its flavor.

Step 8: Time It Right

The total brew time is one of the last but vital aspects of creating the perfect cup of Philz-style coffee. 

You should aim for a brew time of 3 to 4 minutes. Though, this range isn’t set in stone, and you should feel free to adjust it to match your personal taste preferences.

Note: A shorter brew time will yield a milder cup of coffee, while a longer brew time will result in a stronger and more robust brew. 

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

With the brewing process completed, it’s time to savor your homemade Philz-style coffee. Remove the filter, along with the coffee grounds, from your pour-over equipment. 

You’re now left with a delicious cup of coffee, ready to be customized to match your personal taste!

How to Create Philz Cold Brew at Home

Itching for something iced? Cold brew coffee is a popular choice for those who enjoy the refreshing taste of coffee with a smooth, less acidic twist. Here’s how to make Philz cold brew right at home: 

Step 1: Measure the Coffee

For a successful batch of Philz-style Cold Brew, start by measuring your coffee accurately. 

A general guideline is to use 1/3 cup of coarsely ground coffee for every cup of water you plan to use. You can always adjust this ratio based on your personal preferences. 

Coarsely ground coffee is the key here, as it allows for a slower extraction process, resulting in a less acidic and smoother cold brew.

Step 2: Combine Coffee and Water

In a large glass container or mason jar, combine the coarsely ground coffee with cold, filtered water. Use freshly filtered water to ensure a clean and crisp flavor. Stir the mixture thoroughly to make sure all the coffee grounds are fully saturated with water.

To make your life easier, try the County Line Kitchen Cold Brew Mason Jar.

Step 3: Brew Time

Wanna know the secret to a great cold brew?

Patience, my friend.  

You should allow your coffee and water mixture to steep for approximately at least 12 hours at room temperature. Let it steep for longer – up to 24 hours – if you want something stronger. Extended steeping time allows the coffee beans to release their rich flavors and natural sweetness, creating a smooth and satisfying brew. 

Step 4: Strain the Coffee

After the extended steeping period, it’s time to strain the coffee. To do this, use a nut milk bag or cheesecloth. Place the bag or cloth over a large bowl and pour the coffee mixture through it. The liquid that drips through is your cold brew concentrate.

Step 5: Second Straining (Optional)

Pass the cold brew concentrate through a fine-mesh strainer to capture any finer coffee particles that may have escaped during the first straining. This step further refines your cold brew, ensuring it’s as clean and smooth as possible.

Step 6: Chill

Once you’ve strained the cold brew, transfer it into a clean glass container with a lid and place it in the refrigerator.  Now your cold brew can chill…and so can you.

Step 7: Serve and Customize

To enjoy your homemade Philz-style Cold Brew, you can either serve it straight over ice or get creative with customizations. 

The signature touch is adding sweetened condensed milk, which brings a rich sweetness to the brew. However, you can also use your preferred milk or creamer. 

To add another layer of flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of ground cinnamon.

The Final Scoop on Philz

Philz Coffee has garnered a dedicated following for a reason: its pour-over method and iced coffees make it stand out in the industry. 

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easy make Philz Coffee at home. It shouldn’t be long before your refine the process to create the perfect cup of coffee that matches your specific taste.