Last Updated on September 19, 2023 by Barry Gray
I remember when I was first introduced to coffee. It was instant granules and a kettle of boiling water. Really, it was nothing fancy.
But at that early age, I had no idea that the world of coffee was so wide and varied. It’s something I continue to learn about even to this day.
Take the concept of double brewed coffee as an example. I know most people who love coffee have heard of things such as espresso, pour-over, or a latte. But how many of you know about double brewed coffee?
Well, don’t worry because all that’s about to change.
A double brewed coffee is exactly what you think. It’s brewed coffee, which is then brewed again with more coffee added. While some people may rebrew their coffee by using water, this calls for purely coffee, resulting in a more potent brew packed full of flavor.
When I first heard about this, I saw it as an interesting concept. So, not being one to pass up the opportunity to try a new way of enjoying coffee, I thought I’d give it a go.
I’m glad I did because I can now tell you all about it, as well as the pros and cons.
Double Brewed Coffee is Strong
The first thing I need to tell you is that double brewed coffee is very strong. It can kick like a mule, but I’m not the type of guy who would see that as a problem.
However, I know not everyone likes their coffee to smack them in the face, so it’s best you are warned in advance.
What I find with this coffee is it does deliver more energy. But then, it would have to when you consider you are adding coffee to coffee, so you get a double kick of caffeine for your troubles.
But here’s a key point. People make the mistake of thinking you brew some coffee and then add some extra coffee granules, and that’s your double brewed coffee.
Well, that’s wrong.
How to Make Double Brewed Coffee
The crucial part of double brewed coffee is to not brew coffee and then pour more hot water over the coffee. That’s not how you do it.
Instead, you brew coffee and then make another coffee using that first one as your “water” source. I promise it’s way easier than you think.
You only have a few simple steps to follow to achieve a double brewed coffee. Also, there are a couple of different methods I’ve tested, and they both work pretty well.
The Drip Machine and Pour-Over Method
This is my favorite method, and it’s also the easiest. For this, you need a drip coffee machine and a pour-over. If you don’t already own this coffee maker, I suggest getting your hands on both just because of the coffee you can make.
Anyway, here are the steps you need to follow.
- Add freshly ground coffee to the coffee machine using a ratio of 1g of coffee for every 15ml of water.
- Heat up the water to 200℉ as this will ensure you get maximum flavor extracted.
- As the first brew is heating up, put freshly ground coffee in the filter of your pour-over.
- Pour that first brew over the grounds in the pour-over filter and allow it to filter through the coffee.
- Warm up some milk if you plan on adding it, as cold milk will make the coffee lukewarm.
That is all you need to do, and it does produce some fantastic coffee at the end. However, it’s not the only method.
The Double Pour-Over Method
Not everyone has a drip machine, but if you have a pour-over, then don’t stress because you can still produce a silky smooth double brewed coffee even with a single pour-over.
All you need to do with this method is to make a pour-over, dispense it into some other container, and then quickly add fresh coffee grounds to the pour-over and use the first brew to get your double brewed coffee.
Again, it’s nice and simple but highly effective as a coffee option.
The Moka Pot and Chemex Method
If you own both a Moka pot and a Chemex maker, then it’s easy to produce a double brewed coffee. Again, you only have a few simple steps to follow.
- Make coffee in your Moka pot as you always do, and place it on your stovetop.
- Add one tablespoon of medium-ground coffee to your Chemex maker.
- Pour the fresh coffee from your Moka pot over the ground coffee.
- If you want milk, warm it up due to the time the Chemex maker takes to produce the coffee.
I’m sure you are getting the picture of just how easy all this is to make a double brewed coffee. Yet, I have a fourth option you might want to check out.
The Drip Machine and French Press method
I love my French Press. It was the first brewing method I bought when I started my move away from instant coffee, so it’s quite precious to me.
But it’s also a fantastic brewing method to use when it comes to making double brewed coffee.
- Make your coffee in your drip machine using the golden ratio formula.
- Add two tablespoons of medium ground coffee to your French Press.
- Pour the freshly brewed coffee over the grounds in your French Press.
- Let the coffee steep for three to four minutes before pressing down that plunger.
- If you want to add some, heat your milk to stop your coffee from getting too cold.
Why You Cannot Just Double Up on the Ground Coffee
Adding double the amount of ground coffee to your French press does not make double brewed coffee. Instead, all this does is help you produce a more bitter coffee at the end.
This happens because you are messing around with that golden ratio of coffee grounds to water. It gets to the point where you have too much coffee and too little water, so the water is unable to extract the full flavor from the coffee.
This poor extraction is what leads to that bitter-tasting coffee, and yet double brewed coffee should not be bitter or harsh to drink. Instead, the perfect version will be smooth and an absolute joy, but with that kick at the end.
Is it Possible to Brew Coffee Twice?
Some coffee lovers will argue it’s not possible to brew coffee twice. They feel it will ruin an otherwise perfectly tasty cup of coffee, and why would you want to do that?
For me, the key is the temperature. Sure, you can easily ruin coffee when you brew it twice if the temperature is wrong, but there are ways to work around that.
Keep in mind that coffee must be brewed at a temperature of 195°F to 205°F, and that means you need to work fast as you finish the first brew and then use that coffee to double brew some additional coffee.
I admit this does result in your finished double brew not being as hot as your regular coffee, as the temperature will have dropped slightly. Still, you don’t have to go ahead and warm up your initial coffee to make this.
Will it Taste Good?
No matter the brewing method you use, one thing will always stand out – the taste.
What I’ve found is that double brewed coffee does sit on a fine line. It can be exceptionally smooth and delicious, but do something wrong, and your coffee can come across as quite bitter and not so pleasant.
I see this coffee as being pretty similar to what you can achieve with a Moka pot. It has that strength and depth to it thanks to the extraction method, but it doesn’t take much for it to topple over and become something that’s just not that pleasant.
But it’s still different from what you get with a Moka pot, and it’s because of the grind size. A Moka pot uses a finer grind size than what you will be using for at least the second part of the brewing process. That means there’s less chance of some residue at the bottom, which is not the nicest of things to encounter.
Yet the one thing that stands out for me is the strength. This is not for the faint-hearted, so a double brew is not for you if you prefer a mellow coffee.
The Pros and Cons of Double Brewed Coffee
While I always love trying out new types of coffee, I do honestly see double brewed coffee as having a number of pros and cons. So, I don’t want anybody to feel they have made a mistake, so here’s where I see it has some problems and also some pretty good things.
The Pros of Double Brewed Coffee
First, here are the pros in my opinion.
- You do get a higher caffeine concentration, so it delivers more of a kick than regular coffee.
- It’s fantastic for iced coffee due to the extra strength, which compensates for the ice watering down the coffee.
- It’s very easy to make and only has a handful of steps to follow.
- The flavor is strong, and the coffee is smooth when made correctly.
The Cons of Double Brewed Coffee
But while the pros are good, there are several cons to be aware of.
- You do need to keep an eye on the coffee while it’s brewing. Not working quickly will result in a poorer coffee.
- It often means you need to own more than one brewing method, and not everyone wants that or even has the space.
- The strength of the coffee will be too much for some people.
But that last problem regarding the strength can also be worked on by adding milk and even sugar to change the flavor if you feel the coffee is too bitter. So, while it’s a negative, it’s one you can work on and experiment with.
My Conclusion
Double brewed coffee has a way of livening up your morning. It delivers a serious kick with a strong and distinct taste that you won’t forget in a hurry.
If you feel your morning coffee is just lacking something, then try a double brew and see the difference it can make. But prepare yourself because this is a coffee you won’t forget in a hurry.
