When you take your coffee brewing seriously, sometimes making a great cup of coffee can be as simple as using twice the amount of coffee beans. This is known as a “double brew,” resulting in a cup of coffee that’s twice as strong and flavorful as your average cup.
If you want the most robust cup of coffee possible, a double brew is the way to go. Just be warned that it can be pretty intense, so you may want to cut it with some milk or cream if you’re not used to drinking coffee this strong. Otherwise, sit back and enjoy the caffeine buzz!
What is Double Brewed Coffee?
If you’re looking for a real caffeine kick and want to make the strongest cup of coffee possible, you need to try double brewing. This unique brewing method involves using already brewed coffee instead of fresh water to make a second pot of coffee. The result is a cup of coffee that’s twice as strong and packed with flavor.
While it might sound like a complicated process, double brewing is actually quite simple. Our findings show that all you need is a pot of already-brewed coffee and some additional fresh coffee beans. Brew a second pot of coffee using the brewed coffee instead of water, and you’re good to go!
Of course, if you want to get the most out of your double brew, you’ll want to use high-quality coffee beans. That way, you’ll be sure to get a rich and flavorful cup of coffee. Your coffee is only as good as your water and your beans.
The term “double brewed coffee” is frequently used to describe brewing with double the quantity of ground beans. However, this results in a bitter yet strong pot of coffee. This isn’t what we are discussing here!
If you throw in double the amount of coffee beans without adjusting your water and temperature, you will have improper extraction that will make for a nasty cup of coffee. The water will not be able to thoroughly saturate the increased amount of coffee grounds, leading to under-extraction and a sour brew.
No, the term “double brew” we are discussing today means using already brewed coffee as your liquid base. This is an effective way to get a stronger cup of coffee without overdoing it on the grounds.
Why Would You Double Brew Coffee?
If you’re already a fan of red-eye coffee or cold brew, you might wonder why you would ever want to double brew your coffee. After all, those brewing methods already produce a strong cup of coffee.
The answer is simple: flavor and caffeine.
Double the flavor
When you double brew coffee, you give the coffee liquid a second dose of flavor and caffeine. This results in a cup of coffee that’s incredibly rich and flavorful.
Assuming you are using a typical ratio of water to coffee grounds in each pot, you’ll end up with a cup of coffee that’s twice as potent.
The texture, or mouthfeel, of your coffee will be different at well. Imagine if cold brew and drip coffee had a baby, and you’ll have an idea of what double-brewed coffee tastes like.
Double the caffeine
If you’re looking for a serious caffeine kick, double brewing is the way to go. Since you’re using already brewed coffee as your liquid base, each cup of double brew will contain more caffeine than ever before.
Remember that too much caffeine can lead to unpleasant side effects like jitters, anxiety, and insomnia. So, it’s important to drink coffee in moderation, even if it is double brewed.
How to Double Brew Coffee
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is double brewed coffee?” it’s time to learn how to make it. The good news is that it’s simple and requires only a few supplies.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A pot of already brewed coffee (room temperature)
- Fresh coffee beans
- A coffee grinder (optional)
- A coffee filter
Once you have all of your supplies, simply follow these steps:
For this method, we are going to use an automatic drip coffee maker.
Step 1
Grind your coffee beans. If you’re using a pot of already brewed coffee, you’ll need to grind an extra serving of fresh beans. The amount will depend on how strong you want your double brew to be. A good starting point is a 1:17 ratio. For a 12-cup carafe, that’s about 12 tablespoons of coffee (or 170 grams).
Step 2
Place your second dose of coffee ground in the filter.
Step 3
Pour the already brewed coffee into the water reservoir.
Step 4
Press the brew button and let the coffee maker do its thing.
Step 5
Pour yourself a cup of delicious double brew coffee and enjoy!
Making double brew coffee is pretty straightforward. The hardest part is grinding the extra beans for a second pot (unless you have a pot of already brewed coffee on hand).
Of course, you can always adjust the ratio of grounds to water depending on how strong you want your double brew to be. More coffee grounds will result in a more robust cup of coffee, but you will need to allow for extra water and brew time.
Best brewing method for double brewed coffee
Every method has pros and cons, but we think the best way to make double brew coffee is using an automatic drip coffee maker. This method is quick, easy, and produces a consistent cup of coffee.
If you don’t have an automatic drip coffee maker, you can also use a French press or pour-over method. Just keep in mind that these methods will require twice as much work on your part.
If you want to get crazy, you can even mix and match your brewing methods. For example, you could cold brew your coffee with a pour-over first and then use the French press to double brew it. The possibilities are endless!
What are the best coffee beans to use when double brewing?
Dark, medium, and light roast coffee beans all work well for double brewing. Because you are going double down on flavor, I recommend not going beyond medium roast for your first go-around.
While it might seem counterintuitive, using a light roast coffee bean will give you a unique flavor in your final cup. This is because light roast beans are more dense and thus release more flavor when brewed.
Of course, feel free to experiment with different types of beans to see what you like best. You might be surprised at how the flavor changes when you use other beans and brewing methods.
When it comes to grind size, a medium grind is usually best. This will allow the coffee grounds to fully bloom and release their flavor without being over-extracted.
If that’s still not enough, dive into a dark or French roast and create the most intense and bold cup of double brew coffee you can imagine!
What about triple brewed coffee?
Ok, so you still need more. I get it. You want even more coffee flavor. Well, you’re in luck because you can also triple brew your coffee.
The process is the same as double brewing, but you repeat the process with your already double brewed coffee. This will result in an even stronger and more intense cup of coffee.
Just be warned that triple brew coffee is not for the faint of heart. It’s bold, flavorful, and packed full of caffeine. But if you’re looking for the ultimate coffee experience, then give it a try!
But why stop there? What about quadruple-brewed coffee or even quintuple-brewed coffee? At some point, your coffee will become so intense and dense that it’s no longer palatable. But that’s a challenge you may be willing to take on!
Will running coffee through my machine break it?
Simply put, no. But you should still be careful when double brewing your coffee.
Make sure to use the correct grind size and water-to-coffee ratio so you don’t overwork your machine. Also, if you’re using a pour-over or French press method, make sure to thoroughly clean out any grounds before running it through your machine again.
We also suggest not doing this on a regular basis. Automatic coffee machines are made to handle brewing with fresh clean water and coffee grounds. While occasional double brewing won’t cause any damage, frequent use might put extra strain on your machine and potentially shorten its lifespan.
So, enjoy the unique flavor of double brewed coffee but don’t do it too often!
Bottom line
Brewing coffee with coffee is a great way to add extra flavor and depth to your cup. Just remember to start with a 1:17 ratio of grounds to water and use a medium grind. From there, you can experiment with different beans, roast levels, and brewing methods to find what you like best.
That’s everything you need to know about double brewing coffee. Now go forth and brew some coffee with your coffee!
