How To Make Strong Coffee: 5 Tips
About 62% of Americans rely on coffee to get them through each morning. However, some people need more than just a regular drip coffee to pull them out of bed.
If you need a coffee so strong it’ll punch you in the face, get you dressed, and drive you to work, we read you loud and clear. Follow along for five tips to help you get the strongest coffee possible, as well as some mistakes to avoid.
What Makes Coffee Strong?
Let’s clear the air: “Strong coffee” is more about concentration than bitterness. A strong brew means a higher coffee-to-water ratio, not an intense, unpleasant flavor.
Strength depends on several factors, like the grind size, brewing time, and the amount of coffee you use. More coffee, less water? Stronger. Prolonged brewing? Stronger (and maybe a tad bitter).
Strong coffee should be rich, smooth, and energizing, not overwhelming. Ideally, you’ll be able to easily taste each flavor note simply because of how strong your brew is.
5 Tips To Make Strong Coffee
Making bitter coffee is not the same as making strong coffee — but how exactly do you go about making a strong cup of coffee that also tastes good? Read on for five tips to help you make the best brew, every time.
1. Choose the Right Beans
Not all coffee beans are created equal. For a truly strong cup, Robusta beans are the choice for many coffee aficionados. Packed with way more caffeine than their Arabica cousins, Robusta delivers a bold, earthy punch that makes it perfect for those who like strong coffee.
That said, Arabica beans still bring nuanced flavors to the table, so you shouldn’t dismiss them so easily. Want the best of both worlds? Get both and blend them up, or buy a pre-made blend that utilizes both types of beans.
Lastly, freshness is key. Freshly roasted beans retain oils and aromatics that amplify strength and flavor. Look for whole beans with roast dates stamped on the bag. Bonus points if your beans come from a trusted, quality-conscious roaster — preferably one that prioritizes sustainability.
2. Grind It Up, Baby
Grinding coffee might seem like just another step in the coffee-making process, but it actually has a huge impact on the final flavor of the coffee. For instance, a finer grind makes for stronger coffee, as it increases the surface area of the grounds for water to extract those delicious compounds.
But beware — if you grind the beans too fine, you might over-extract your coffee and end up with a bitter cup of joe. That’s why many people use burr grinders, which ensure uniform grind size for consistent brewing.
Whether you’re grinding for espresso or French press, adjusting the grind size to your brewing method is the key to a delicious cup of coffee. GGrind only what you need before brewing, as stale grounds will instantly zero out your chances of achieving bold flavors.
3. Optimize the Coffee-Water Ratio
The golden ratio for coffee lovers is generally about 1:16 — one gram of coffee for every 16 grams of water. But when strong coffee is your goal, feel free to experiment until you find the best ratio for your tastes. Ratios like 1:12 or even 1:10 ramp up the intensity and create ultra-strong cups of coffee.
Use a digital scale for precision (because guessing is so last year). Pair this ratio with your favorite brewing method — whether it’s pour-over, French press, or espresso — for a strong, satisfying result.
4. Choose Your Brewing Method
Not all brewing methods are created equal when it comes to making strong coffee. Espresso is generally the standard when it comes to strong brews. Its concentrated, flavorful shots are created by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee.
French press fans can still make a super-strong cuppa by steeping their coffee for four to five minutes with a higher coffee-to-water ratio for a bolder result. AeroPress is another great option. Its versatility allows you to tweak pressure and brew time for an especially powerful cup. For drip coffee drinkers, opt for the "bold" setting if your coffee maker has one or manually adjust the coffee ratio.
Each brewing method offers its own charm, but the key is dialing in the process to suit your strength goals. Experiment with techniques, and remember that consistency is your best friend when crafting your signature strong brew.
5. Pay Attention to the Details
If you’re chasing a coffee that can knock your socks off, little tweaks make a big difference. Start with the water temperature — it should hover between 195°F and 205°F for peak extraction. If it’s too cold, you’ll leave flavor behind. However, if it’s too hot, you risk bitterness.
Brewing time also matters. Longer steeping times, especially with immersion methods like the French press, amp up the strength but keep over-extraction in check. You can also double-brew your coffee by brewing fresh coffee with already-brewed coffee instead of water. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it delivers a caffeine-packed, flavor-forward punch that will get the job done.
Mistakes To Avoid When Making Strong Coffee
Even seasoned coffee drinkers slip up sometimes. One common mistake is using pre-ground coffee. It might be convenient, but it sacrifices both freshness and flavor strength.
Another misstep is getting lazy with the coffee-to-water ratio — eyeballing measurements often results in a weak, disappointing cup. Lastly, uneven grinds lead to inconsistent extraction, robbing your coffee of its bold potential.
Finally, avoid stale beans — if they’ve been sitting in your pantry for months, they’ve lost the oomph you’re looking for. Instead, opt for freshly ground beans from your local coffee shop, or buy whole beans and grind them yourself!
The Bottom Line
Strong coffee is a lot of things — flavorful, invigorating, and energizing, for starters. However, strongly-made coffee should never be bitter or burnt-tasting. If you want to enjoy the bold flavors of coffee without risking a bitter taste, try using a burr grinder, using a lower coffee-to-water ratio, and paying attention to the details.
At Everyday Dose, we know that flavor is everything. That’s why our mushroom coffee is made with coffee extract to provide the robust taste you’re going for.
Plus, it’s super easy to get a strong taste without getting all scientific about it — simply add two tablespoons of our mushroom coffee to some hot water, and voila! You have a rich and hearty brew. For more coffee tips and tricks, visit the Everyday Dose blog today.
Sources:
NCA releases 2020 National Coffee Data Trends, the "Atlas of American Coffee” | NCA
Coffee Plant: Arabica and Robusta | CoffeeResearch.org
Coffee Grind Size Chart: How Grind Size Affects Coffee Flavor - 2025 | MasterClass
The Absolute Most Important Factor in Brewing Great Coffee | Bon Appetit
