Mud\Wtr (aka Mud Water): the health-boosting coffee alternative is all the rage on Instagram. I personally jumped on the band wagon about a year ago because the drink offers various benefits that range from low caffeine anti-inflammation to natural energy and improved brain function. I love it! So much so that I’m actually an affiliate and have put it on my Recommendations page. However, at $40 for a 30-serving supply, the cost adds up quickly if you drink it daily like I do. That’s why I’m sharing this homemade DIY MudWtr Recipe that will save you money. If you’re like me and want a more affordable way to reap the health benefits, or you’ve been curious about trying it but aren’t sure you can afford the habit, then try this easy DIY Mud/Wtr alternative. You can easily make it at home for half the cost!
What is Mud\Wtr?
Mud Wtr is a low-caffeine coffee alternative made with chai tea, cacao, turmeric, and medicinal mushrooms (chaga, cordyceps, reishi and lion’s mane) that provides many health benefits. It’s a nice way to keep your morning (or afternoon or evening) “coffee” routine without the acid or caffeine. A lot of people like it because it’s easier on their stomach – this is one of the reasons I now use it, but I also like the added health boost that you can’t get from coffee.
What does MudWtr taste like?
I would describe the taste a bit like unsweetened spiced hot cocoa or a chai hot chocolate. It’s strong on the cacao taste with a subtle mushroom and turmeric taste and a punch of Indian spices. It’s earthy, it’s rich, a little grainy, a little…muddy. There’s no sweetener, so it’s a very plain taste that you’ll probably want to add sweetener to, unlike black coffee that can be good on its own. It doesn’t taste like coffee except that is also has a strong flavor and bitterness. Sure, the warm beverage might slightly remind you of your cup of coffee, but it’s not a coffee alternative in terms of truly tasting like coffee. I’d liken it much more to cocoa.
I think the “Mud” name also comes from the fact that the powder settles into the bottom of the cup, unlike cocoa that fully dissolvecs. It’s best if you stir it a few times while drinking to help it stay mixed. Or, just add some milk or water when you get to the bottom for a mini serving with the remaining sediment.
What are the Benefits of Mud Wtr?
Mud\Wtr offers great health benefits due to mushrooms, turmeric and spices.
- Cacao has antioxidants and a little caffeine so it’s a good natural energy booster. It also contains important minerals like iron, magnesium and potassium.
- Turmeric is an antioxidant and amazing anti-inflammatory, natural pain reliever, and has been used in cancer prevention and treatment, among many other benefits.
- Cinnamon is antimicrobial, can help with digestion, boost mood and also helps with lowering cholesterol.
- Chai tea is full of powerhouse spices like ginger, fennel, cloves and more. It can help with digestion and stomach issues, is also an antioxidant, and is good for heart health.
- Almost all of the ingredients help to manage insulin levels and blood sugar, preventing and helping to treat diabetes.
- Medicinal mushrooms – the benefits of medicinal mushrooms can be found in another blog I did on mushroom coffee, but the four in MudWtr offer supportive benefits such as energy, improved cognitive function, stress management, relaxation and cancer and disease prevention to name just a few.
DIY MudWtr Recipe
This 30-day supply will cost you less than $.50 per serving, whereas Mud\Wtr is $1.30 per serving. You can get these ingredients on Amazon and some can even be found at your local Costco or grocery store. I’ve linked what I use in the recipe. Feel free to play with amounts to get a flavor that works for you.
Mud\Wtr Recipe:
1-2 cups Organic Cacao powder (I prefer a higher amount of cacao to taste most like MudWtr)
¼ tin Blue Lotus Chai (I use the Rooibosversion because it’s decaf)
1/8 cup Jetsu Mushroom Extract powder
¼ cup Ceylon cinnamon
1/8-1/4 cup Turmeric powder
1/8 tsp Himalayan pink sea salt (or start with a pinch and add more to taste)
Directions:
Mix in a bowl and whisk to break up clumps. I store mine in an empty MudWtr tin, but a glass or stainless steel container with a lid will work as well. When you add it to hot water or milk you’ll need a frother to get it to blend.
FYI, when you purchase Mud/Wtr for the first time with a starter set they send you a frother that works really well. You can get that starter set here (which also includes a sample of their coconut creamer that I love!)
Add 1 tbsp mudwtr mix to approximately 8 oz water or oat milk (I do 4 oz of each)
This makes a 30-day supply. If you haven’t tried MudWtr before, then try halfing this recipe first to see if you like it.
Cost: less than $0.50 per serving (depending on which brands you use)
Another option I’ve also found is that mixing real Mud\Wtr with my own version is a nice way to get a great taste and make it last longer.
How Do You Make MudWtr Taste Better?
It’s pretty simple to make MudWtr taste less like mud: add milk and/or sweetener like honey, stevia or flavored protein powder. I find that coconut milk or oat milk helps the flavor a lot and adds creaminess. I personally don’t like it unsweetened, even though I keep the sweetener very subtle.
My favorite is to add about ½ tbsp of chocolate collagen powder that’s naturally sweetened to improve the taste but also get a pinch of protein in there, too. Two drops of Stevia or a tsp of monkfruit are good sugar-free alternatives as well, but honey is also a popular sweetener to add.
I will often add either ghee or coconut oil powder creamer as well. MudWtr makes a great creamer that I’d recommend, but you can also try Laird Superfood creamer. (I personally think this has a fairly bad bitter taste, but it works in a pinch). Adding some ghee or coconut oil makes it more like a Bulletproof coffee if you like that style and adds some nice flavor as well.
Now, go ahead and try it and leave a comment below with your results and how you liked it!
Here’s a video version of this recipe is you’d like to see how it’s made!
