You might have seen the video. A rookie quarterback, preparing for the NFL draft, mixes his coffee with mayonnaise. It sounds like a strange joke, but it’s real. The “Will Levis mayo coffee” moment became an instant internet legend. It sparked confusion, laughter, and a surprising amount of curiosity. What would make someone do that? Was it a prank, a performance trick, or something else? This article looks at the story behind the viral clip. We’ll explain why he did it, what it actually tastes like, and whether there’s any logic to it at all.
The now-famous video shows Will Levis, then a quarterback from Kentucky, making his morning brew. He scoops a large dollop of mayonnaise into his coffee mug before pouring the coffee over it. He stirs it and drinks it straight. The reaction from the hosts filming him is pure disbelief. For most people, the idea of mixing coffee and mayo is unthinkable. But Levis presented it as his normal routine. This single act created a lasting piece of his public identity even before he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans.
Will Levis Mayo Coffee
Let’s get straight to the main event. The combination itself is the center of the mystery. To understand it, we need to break down what each component brings and why putting them together is so shocking to our taste buds.
The Shock Factor: Why It Seems So Wrong
Coffee and mayonnaise occupy opposite ends of the flavor spectrum in our minds. Coffee is a bitter, aromatic, hot beverage. It’s associated with wakefulness and purity. Mayonnaise, on the other hand, is a cold, rich, tangy, and fatty condiment. It’s for sandwiches and salads. Mixing a condiment into a drink violates a basic culinary rule for most people. The textural idea of a oily, emulsified sauce dissolving into a thin liquid is also hard to accept. Our brains immediately signal that this combination is a mistake.
Levis’s Explanation: The Method Behind the Madness
Will Levis wasn’t just trying to be weird. He had a reason, rooted in the high-calorie demands of an athlete’s body. His explanation was simple: it was about easy calories and healthy fats. He stated he used it as a substitute for cream or butter. Let’s compare:
- Mayonnaise: Primarily made of oil, egg yolks, and an acid like vinegar or lemon juice. It provides a dense source of fat and calories.
- Heavy Cream/Butter: Also high in fat and calories, commonly used in ketogenic diets or “bulletproof” coffee.
From a purely nutritional standpoint, his logic has a thread of sense. Athletes in training need a massive amount of calories to maintain weight and energy. Adding a few tablespoons of mayo is a very quick way to add 200-300 calories of fat. The problem, for most, is the flavor profile that comes with those calories.
What Does It Actually Taste Like?
Descriptions from the few who have tried it (either as a dare or for journalistic curiosity) are fairly consistent. It’s not as horrific as you might imagine, but it’s certainly not good. The primary taste is a greasy, slightly tangy coffee. The mayonnaise doesn’t curdle because of its emulsion, but it can leave a oily film on the tongue and the cup. The vinegar or lemon notes in the mayo clash sharply with the roasted notes of the coffee. It essentially creates a savory, fatty cup of coffee that most people find deeply unsatisfying as a morning drink.
The Texture Problem
Even if the taste was mild, the texture is a major hurdle. A well-made mayonnaise is smooth, but when mixed into a hot liquid, it can separate slightly, creating a mouthfeel that is both slick and thin. It lacks the creamy, rich texture that actual cream or milk provides. This is often the biggest turnoff for tasters.
Nutritional Breakdown: Is There Any Benefit?
Looking at it clinically, let’s see what you get. Assume one tablespoon of full-fat mayonnaise and one cup of black coffee.
- Calories: ~100 from the mayo, plus ~2 from the coffee.
- Fat: ~10 grams (mostly unsaturated from the oil).
- Protein/Carbs: Minimal amounts.
For someone like Levis, trying to pack in calories without volume, it’s efficient. For the average person, adding this much pure fat to a daily coffee is unnecessary and could contribute to excessive calorie intake if not accounted for elsewhere in the diet. There are tastier and more balanced ways to add healthy fats to your morning.
How to Try It (If You Dare)
We don’t recommend it, but if your curiosity is overwhelming, here’s how to replicate the Will Levis method as seen in the video.
- Grab a clean coffee mug.
- Scoop one heaping tablespoon of full-fat mayonnaise into the bottom of the mug. (He used Duke’s brand).
- Brew your coffee as you normally would. A standard black drip coffee is what was used.
- Pour the hot coffee directly over the mayonnaise.
- Stir vigorously with a spoon until the mayo is fully dissolved and incorporated. It should look like a slightly cloudy, light brown coffee.
- Drink immediately. Have a plain glass of water ready as a chaser.
The Viral Impact and Legacy
The “mayo coffee” clip didn’t just disappear. It became a cornerstone of Will Levis’s introduction to the national sports audience. Its impact was significant and multifaceted.
Instant Meme and Social Media Fame
The video spread across Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram at lightning speed. It was the perfect mix of shock, humor, and relatability (everyone has a strong opinion on coffee). Memes compared it to other infamous food combinations. Sports commentators couldn’t stop talking about it. For a moment, Levis was as known for his breakfast choice as he was for his arm strength.
Effect on His Draft Profile
Some analysts wondered if such a quirky, confident act would affect his draft stock. Would teams see it as eccentricity or as a sign of a unique, disciplined mindset focused on performance? In the end, it likely had little negative effect. It showed a person utterly unconcerned with public opinion and willing to do unconventional things for his body. The Tennessee Titans selected him in the second round, and the story became a fun footnote in his rookie narrative.
Brands Seizing the Moment
The marketing world never misses a beat. Hellmann’s Mayonnaise quickly tweeted at Levis, offering a lifetime supply of mayo. Coffee brands jokingly weighed in. It was a case study in how a genuine, odd moment can create more engagement than a planned ad campaign. It linked Levis’s name with mayonnaise in the public consciousness for the long term.
Better Alternatives for High-Calorie Coffee
If you’re an athlete, on a high-fat diet, or just need a calorie-dense morning boost, there are much more palatable options than mayonnaise in your cup. These provide similar nutritional benefits without the harsh flavor clash.
Bulletproof-Style Coffee
This is the most famous alternative. The basic recipe blends coffee with grass-fed butter and MCT oil. The result is a creamy, frothy, and rich drink that provides sustained energy from fats.
- How to make it: Brew 1 cup of hot coffee. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted grass-fed butter and 1 tablespoon of MCT oil. Blend for 20-30 seconds until frothy.
Protein Coffee
Great for post-workout or a filling breakfast replacement. Adding a scoop of protein powder gives you protein and can make the coffee creamy.
- Tip: Use a blender or a milk frother to mix it well and prevent clumps. Vanilla or chocolate protein can make it taste like a treat.
Simple Cream and Coconut Oil
An easy middle ground. A splash of heavy whipping cream provides rich fat, and a teaspoon of coconut oil adds medium-chain triglycerides for energy.
Collagen Peptides
For a protein boost that doesn’t alter flavor or texture much, collagen peptides are a great choice. They dissolve completely in hot liquid and provide protein that supports joints and skin.
Common Questions About the Mayo Coffee Trend
This section answers the most frequently asked questions about this unusual topic.
Did Will Levis really drink mayo in coffee every day?
Based on his statements, it seems it was a part of his routine, especially during intense training periods. However, it’s unlikely it was an every-single-day habit forever. It was a tool for calorie intake.
What brand of mayonnaise did Will Levis use?
In the video, he clearly uses Duke’s Mayonnaise, a popular brand in the southeastern United States known for its tangy flavor and lack of added sugar.
Can adding mayonnaise to coffee kill you or make you sick?
No, it is not dangerous. Mayonnaise is made with edible ingredients. The primary risk is an upset stomach if your system isn’t used to that much pure fat first thing in the morning, or simply from the unpleasant flavor combination.
Are there any health benefits to coffee with mayonnaise?
The only potential benefit is the rapid addition of a high amount of fat calories, which could be useful for certain athletes or individuals trying to gain weight. There are no unique health benefits compared to using other fat sources like butter or cream.
What does mayo coffee taste like compared to butter coffee?
Butter coffee is rich, creamy, and savory in a pleasant way, like a broth. Mayo coffee is also savory but with a distinct tangy, oily, and slightly acidic flavor from the mayo’s ingredients that most find off-putting.
Has Will Levis stopped drinking mayo coffee since joining the NFL?
He hasn’t publicly stated he has stopped, but he also hasn’t promoted it further. With full access to NFL team nutritionists and facilities, he likely has more optimized and better-tasting meal and shake options available to him now.
Final Thoughts on a Bizarre Moment
The “Will Levis mayo coffee” phenomenon is more than a gross food video. It’s a snapshot of how athletes sometimes operate in a different world, where taste is secondary to function. It’s a lesson in how one unguarded moment can define you in the public eye. And for the rest of us, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the standard way of doing things—like putting milk in coffee—is standard for a very good reason.
While you probably shouldn’t start your day with a cup of coffee and mayo, you can appreciate the dedication behind the act. It showed a willingness to prioritize performance goals, even at the expense of personal pleasure. In the end, that mindset might be the real takeaway, not the recipe. Just stick with cream if you want a richer coffee. Your taste buds will thank you, and you’ll avoid raising any eyebrows at the breakfast table.