Sometimes, a regular cup of coffee just doesn’t cut it. You need something with a bit more backbone, a brew that packs a serious punch of flavor and caffeine to truly jumpstart your day. If you find yourself routinely wishing your morning cup was more robust, you’re not alone. There’s a simple, albeit intense, method for achieving exactly that, and it doesn’t require any fancy new equipment. The technique of learning how to make double brewed coffee for a stronger cup of joe is a game-changer for those who like their coffee to have a profound presence.
At its heart, double brewed coffee is exactly what it sounds like: you use coffee to brew more coffee. Instead of using fresh water for the second half of the brewing process, you use a freshly brewed, highly concentrated batch of coffee. This method, sometimes called “coffee concentrate brewing,” essentially doubles down on the compounds that give coffee its character, resulting in a profoundly strong and complex beverage. It’s important to know that this creates a very different drink from a standard brew, one that is not for the faint of heart but is a revelation for true coffee enthusiasts.
What Exactly Is Double Brewed Coffee?
Before we jump into the method, let’s clarify what we’re creating. Double brewed coffee is not the same as simply using twice the amount of coffee grounds in your regular brewer. That would likely just lead to over-extraction and a bitter taste. The double brewing process is more nuanced. You start by making a small, intensely strong batch of coffee using a standard coffee-to-water ratio. Then, you use that strong coffee as the brewing liquid for a second round of fresh grounds.
This technique pulls even more oils, sugars, and caffeine from the coffee beans, creating a super-concentrated base. The final product is incredibly potent, often compared to a coffee reduction or a homemade coffee concentrate. Because of its strength, it’s frequently enjoyed as a small shot, diluted with hot water like an Americano, or poured over ice for a powerful iced coffee that won’t get watered down.
Gathering Your Coffee Brewing Tools
The beauty of this method is its simplicity. You likely have everything you need already in your kitchen. You can use virtually any brewing device you’re comfortable with, as long as you can perform the process twice. A pour-over setup like a Hario V60 or a Chemex works beautifully because it offers great control. A French press is another excellent option, yielding a very rich and full-bodied result. Even a standard drip coffee maker can be used, though you may have to get a little creative with pausing the cycle.
Beyond your brewer, you’ll need:
- Your favorite coffee beans, preferably a medium to dark roast for a bolder flavor profile.
- A quality burr grinder for a consistent grind.
- A kettle for heating water.
- A kitchen scale for precise measurements (highly recommended).
- A timer.
How To Make Double Brewed Coffee For A Stronger Cup of Joe
Now for the main event. This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process using a standard 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio as a starting point, adjusted for the double brew. For this example, let’s aim for a final yield of about 500 grams (or milliliters) of double brewed coffee.
- Grind Your Beans: Start by grinding 65 grams of coffee beans. A medium-coarse grind is a good starting point, similar to what you’d use for a regular pour-over.
- Heat Your Water: Bring fresh, filtered water to a temperature between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
- The First Brew: Place 32 grams of your freshly ground coffee into your brewer. Pour 480 grams of hot water over these grounds and brew as you normally would. This will give you your first batch of strong coffee, which we’ll call your “brewing liquid.”
- The Second Brew: Immediately take this freshly brewed, hot brewing liquid and pour it over the remaining 33 grams of fresh coffee grounds in your brewer. Go through your entire brewing process again—blooming, pouring slowly, and allowing it to fully drain.
- Serve and Enjoy: What you have now is an extremely potent double brewed coffee. Be prepared for a powerful experience. You can sip it straight in a small cup, or dilute it with an equal part of hot water to create a beautifully rich and strong Americano-style drink.
Tips for a Perfectly Balanced Double Brew
Since this method amplifies everything in the coffee, the quality of your beans and technique is paramount.
- Choose Your Beans Wisely: A single-origin bean with chocolate, nutty, or caramel notes often works well, as the double brewing can intensify these flavors beautifully. Be cautious with very light or fruity roasts, as their acidic notes can become sharp.
- Mind the Grind: If your final brew tastes unpleasantly bitter or astringent, your grind may be too fine, causing over-extraction. If it tastes sour and weak, your grind is likely too coarse. Adjust slightly for your next attempt.
- Don’t Skip the Bloom: During both brewing stages, allow the coffee to bloom for 30-45 seconds. This releases carbon dioxide and helps ensure an even extraction, which is even more critical here.
- Experiment with Dilution: The true magic often happens when you dilute the final concentrate. Start by mixing equal parts concentrate and hot water, then adjust to your personal preference.
Is Double Brewed Coffee Right for You?
This brewing style is a fantastic way to experience coffee in a completely new light. It’s ideal for the person who feels let down by the strength of regular coffee or for anyone looking to make an exceptionally robust iced coffee that holds its own against melting ice. It’s also a great method for creating a coffee base for desserts or cocktails where a powerful coffee flavor is desired.
However, it is an intense method. If you are sensitive to caffeine, this might not be the best daily choice for you. The process also uses roughly double the amount of coffee grounds, making it a more expensive habit. Think of it as a special treat or a weekend ritual rather than your everyday go-to.
Learning how to make double brewed coffee opens up a new dimension of coffee strength and flavor. By using coffee to brew more coffee, you create a deeply complex and potent concentrate that is unlike your standard morning cup. Remember to start with good beans, pay attention to your grind, and don’t be afraid to dilute the final product to your taste. It’s a simple technique that delivers a powerful result, perfect for those moments when only the strongest cup of joe will do.