Have you been wondering if you can make double brewed coffee?

Then you've landed on the right article. Today, I'll show you two simple ways to make coffee that tastes extra bold and intense.

Down below, I'll explain what double brewed actually means, how each method works, and how to make a great iced version for warmer days.

Are you ready to learn some awesome stuff today?

Then grab some coffee, sit back, and start reading away!

What is double brewed coffee?

Double brewed coffee is a casual term people use in two ways:

Method 1 (most common): You brew a cup using a higher coffee-to-water ratio, which makes a double-strength, bolder cup.

Method 2 (the experiment): You brew a fresh batch of coffee, then use that brewed coffee as the water to brew another batch.

Both methods can taste significantly stronger than a regular cup, but they don't have the same flavor.

Double-strength (Method 1) is usually smoother and more consistent, while brewing with brewed coffee (Method 2) can get intense fast if you push it too far.

Instead of tying this to one brewer, it's easier to think in ratios. Here's a practical cheat sheet for a single 1-cup / 240 ml brew:

Brew strengthCoffee (grams)Water (approx.)
Regular17-21 g240 ml
Double-strength34-42 g240 ml

If you already brew stronger than average (for example, you normally use ~18 g per cup), you can still use the double it idea as a quick test.

Just know the end result won't be perfectly doubled every time.

Important: Using more coffee will usually result in a stronger drink and often more caffeine; however, it won't always be exactly double the caffeine, as beans, grind size, brew time, and extraction all affect the outcome.

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How to make double brewed coffee

As I mentioned above, there are two ways to make double brewed coffee:

  • Double-strength (easiest): Use a higher coffee-to-water ratio for a bolder cup.
  • Brew-with-brewed (the experiment): Brew a fresh batch, then use the brewed coffee from that batch to brew another batch.

Here is a step-by-step guide for the brew-with-brewed method:

  1. Select your favorite coffee maker. A French press, Chemex, Hario V60, or AeroPress all work well.
  2. Brew a fresh batch like you normally would.
  3. Discard the used grounds and rinse/clean the brewer if needed.
  4. Add a new dose of coffee. This time, use the brewed coffee as your brewing liquid (reheat it if it has cooled).
  5. Brew again, then taste. If it's too intense, shorten the brew time next round or use a slightly coarser grind.

Once you finish, you'll have a seriously bold cup. It's a fun technique, but it's easy to overdo, so starting small is the best approach.

How to make double-strength coffee

You can make double-strength coffee by following the two steps that I've mentioned above.

These brewing techniques will brew a double-strength coffee that'll get you through the day.

"Brewing double brewed coffee using brewed coffee to make more coffee."

Double strength coffee means the same as double brewed coffee, so you can easily follow either of the brewing guides to brew that caffeinated cup of joe!

If you don't feel like drinking hot coffee because it's hot outside, but you want a refreshing drink, then check out below and learn how to make an iced version:

How to make double brew iced coffee

The best way to get through the hot summer days is by drinking iced coffees. This can also be a nice batch of cold brew coffee if you ask me.

Did you know that you can make a double brew iced coffee as well?

To make this recipe, you're going to need:

  • A coffee brewer of your choice
  • Coffee beans
  • Water to brew the coffee
  • Ice cubes and a nice glass to serve iced coffee

You have two choices to make when discussing iced coffee.

You can either double brew some amazing coffee, let it cool down a bit, and then pour the coffee into an ice-filled glass.

Or, you can save yourself a bit of time and brew a double-strength cup of coffee by doubling the amount of coffee used to brew one cup of coffee.

The best coffee for double brew

You can use any coffee beans to double brew your coffee. I usually reach for a medium roast because it remains balanced when the strength is increased.

If you want to lean into a bigger caffeine kick, blends that include Robusta tend to contain higher levels of caffeine than 100% Arabica.

Are you interested in going all out with this coffee? You can also opt to use Death Wish coffee.

It's one of the better-known high-caffeine coffees, and it can be a fun option if you already love bold, dark-roast flavors.

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Want more ideas? Use my Coffee Recipes Directory to find drinks that match your mood, brew style, and time.

  • See hot, iced, cold brew, and Frappuccino recipes in one place.
  • Browse latte, espresso, milk-based, and coffee add-in recipes.
  • Get inspiration for what to make next at home.
Browse the Coffee Recipes Directory →

Over 200 coffee recipes to explore.

Can you double brew coffee in a Keurig?

I don't recommend double brewing coffee using a Keurig coffee machine.

Coffee pods are designed to extract the optimal amount of coffee using a predetermined amount of water.

After the machine has run water through the coffee cup, it will fully extract the coffee pod, releasing its delicious flavors.

I've tested this technique using a Nespresso machine, as it is the version I use at home.

However, this works similarly to Keurig coffee machines. You can check out the article to see the difference in using the coffee pods for a second time.

The coffee that comes out a second time looks and smells weird and doesn't taste great.

This is why I do not recommend double brewing coffee using a Keurig coffee machine, as this will leave you with a bad-tasting cup of coffee.

Conclusion

Double brewed coffee is a fun way to turn your usual routine into a seriously bold cup.

If you want the most consistent result, go with the double-strength method (more coffee for the same water).

And if you're feeling adventurous, try brewing a second batch using brewed coffee and see how it tastes to you.

Either way, it's an easy experiment that can give you a deeper, heavier coffee flavor, especially over ice on warm days.

Have you tried double brewed coffee before? Let me know by leaving a comment down below!

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Coffee recipes to try

If you're interested in creating some delicious coffee recipes, you can find them below:


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Author

Jeffrey is a former Chef turned coffee educator. He applies culinary precision to home brewing, testing every recipe and bean in his own kitchen to prove you don't need expensive equipment to make a world-class cup.

2 Comments

  1. Charles Pitman Reply

    I have a Bunn machine that never seemed to brew strong enough compared to an older DeLinghi. If I added more coffee it would overflow the filter. If I added less water I got less coffee (go figure). While not actually double brewing, I finally hit upon adding half of the water first, letting it brew until it stopped dripping, then adding the rest of the water. Perfect strong coffee, not chewy.

    • Profile picture of Jeffrey (Founder & Coffee expert at Your Dream Coffee)

      Hey Charles,

      That sounds awesome. I’m glad you’re now enjoying a nice strong cup of coffee!

      I hope you enjoy your coffee today!
      - Jeffrey

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