Bullet Tea Recipe

Bullet tea is a creamy alternative for people who prefer tea to coffee. Brew a strong cup, blend in a small amount of butter or ghee, and adjust the flavor to suit you.

What is bullet tea?

Bullet tea is an informal name for a modern drink made by blending brewed tea with butter or ghee, sometimes with optional MCT oil. It draws inspiration from traditional Tibetan butter tea, commonly made with tea, yak butter, and salt. Here, “bullet tea” describes our butter-tea variation, with MCT oil optional. Our recipe uses accessible ingredients and Wolf Ember tea blends. It is a modern variation, not an authentic Tibetan preparation.

Beginner-friendly hot bullet tea

Makes 1 serving.

• 8–12 fl oz freshly brewed strong English Breakfast or Earl Grey tea
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or unsalted ghee
• Optional: 1 teaspoon MCT oil or less, if tolerated
• Optional: a pinch of cinnamon, a few drops of vanilla extract, or a splash of cream

1. Brew the tea slightly stronger than usual, following the tea’s brewing instructions. Remove the leaves or tea bag.
2. While the tea is hot, add butter or ghee and optional MCT oil.
3. Blend briefly in a blender rated for hot liquids, following its safety instructions. Never seal hot liquid in a container that is not designed for it. Alternatively, use a handheld milk frother in a deep, heat-safe vessel with room for foam. Keep the head submerged to reduce splashes.
4. Add any optional flavorings and serve warm.

Choosing your butter

Use real butter or ghee. Do not substitute margarine. Butter gives a creamy flavor, while ghee can taste lightly toasted or nutty. Unsalted butter or unsalted ghee is our default, especially if you want to control sodium and seasoning.

When salted butter makes sense

Traditional Tibetan butter tea is often savory and salted. For a Tibetan-inspired variation, you can use a little salted butter or add a tiny pinch of salt to unsalted butter. Salt levels differ between brands, and some ghees are salted, so check the labels. For vanilla, cinnamon, or delicate tea variations, start unsalted.

A beginner’s guide to richness

Start with 1 teaspoon of butter or ghee in 8–12 fl oz tea. If you enjoy the texture and tolerate it well, try 2 teaspoons another time. Up to 1 tablespoon makes a richer cup, but you never need to increase the amount. Extra butter adds calories and saturated fat.

Why blending and temperature matter

Hot tea melts the butter. Blending or frothing disperses the fat for a creamy, lightly foamy finish. Stirring alone usually leaves oil on top. If the tea tastes greasy, reduce the butter next time. A stronger tea base can balance the richness. Cream is optional and adds more richness.

Iced bullet tea

Blend the butter into hot brewed tea first. Allow the mixture to cool, then pour over ice and add optional milk or cream. Butter can firm up or separate as it chills. Use less butter for a lighter iced version and serve promptly.

Wolf Ember tea variations

• Earl Grey Vanilla: Use Earl Grey and a few drops of vanilla.
• English Breakfast Cinnamon: Pair a strong English Breakfast base with a pinch of cinnamon.
• Hōjicha: Try its roasted notes with a small amount of ghee.
• Moroccan Mint: Start with very little butter and taste before adding more. The pairing is unusual.
• Apple Cider Rooibos: Try a caffeine-free variation with a touch of cinnamon, then decide whether you enjoy the added richness.

What is MCT oil?

MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat often derived from coconut or palm-kernel oil. It is optional. Start with 1 teaspoon or less, or skip it, because it can cause nausea, cramps, or diarrhea.

Nutrition note

Butter tea adds calories and saturated fat, with little protein or fiber. It is not a complete meal replacement. Adding butter or MCT oil to tea is not an established way to improve focus or lose weight. Consider how it fits your dietary needs, especially if you manage LDL cholesterol.

Prefer coffee?

Try our Bullet Coffee Recipe: Creamy Butter Coffee for the same small-start approach with a coffee base.