Skull Crusher coffee doesn’t do “gentle.” But if you want your brew to hit even harder, the method matters just as much as the beans.
This guide covers the strongest (and tastiest) ways to brew at home — with rough strength estimates, grind size tips, and simple recipes you can actually follow.
Important: caffeine numbers are estimates. They change based on how much coffee you use (dose), your cup size, grind, brew time, and the coffee itself.
Quick Strength & Flavour Ratings (Skull Crusher Edition)
| Method | Grind | Brew time | Rough strength (per serving) | Flavour | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V60 (Pour Over) | Medium-fine | 2:30–3:30 | ~250–300mg | ★★★★★ (clean & sweet) | ★★★★☆ |
| French Press | Coarse | 4:00–6:00 | ~350mg | ★★★★☆ (bold & heavy) | ★★★★★ |
| Espresso (Double) | Fine | 25–35s | ~80-100mg | ★★★★☆ (intense) | ★★★☆☆ (per double) |
How we’re thinking about “strength” here: We’re assuming you’re using Skull Crusher coffee and brewing on the stronger side (bigger dose, proper extraction). If you use a light dose, your caffeine will be lower even if it tastes strong.
Before Anything: Grind Fresh (This Is The Cheat Code)
- Grind right before brewing if possible. Fresh grind = stronger aroma, better flavour, more consistent extraction.
- Pre-ground works, but it goes flat fast and can brew bitter or weak depending on the method.
- Consistency beats “finer”: an even grind extracts evenly (strong + smooth). An uneven grind extracts unevenly (harsh + watery at the same time).
Quick grind size guide
- V60: Medium-fine (table salt)
- French Press: Coarse (chunky sea salt)
- Espresso: Fine (powdery, but not clumpy)
1) V60: Strong + Clean (The “I Want Power But Still Want Flavour” Brew)
V60 is perfect when you want a strong cup that’s still clean, sweet, and not muddy. It’s the method where you can push the dose without your cup turning into bitter sludge.
Shop the Hario V60 Dripper + Filters →
Strong V60 recipe (big mug)
- Coffee: 20g
- Water: 325g (big mug)
- Ratio: ~1:13 (strong)
- Time: 2:45–3:30 total
- Rough strength: ~250–400mg (strong mug estimate)
Steps
- Rinse the filter (paper taste = dead) and warm the dripper.
- Add coffee. Make a small well in the center.
- Bloom: pour ~60g water, wait 30 seconds.
- Pour slowly in circles to 325g total by about 1:45–2:00.
- Let it draw down. If it finishes too fast and tastes thin → grind finer. If it’s too slow and tastes harsh → grind coarser.
Ratings
- Flavour: ★★★★★ (clean, sweet, clear)
- Strength: ★★★★☆ (very strong when dosed high)
2) French Press: The Heavyweight (Bold, Thick, and Hits Like a Truck)
If “strong” to you means maximum punch, French Press is undefeated. It’s full-bodied, intense, and when you use a strong dose it can land around ~350mg per 350ml cup.
Shop the French Press (350ml) →
Strong French Press recipe (350ml)
- Coffee: 20g
- Water: 350ml
- Ratio: ~1:12 (very strong)
- Time: 4:00 steep (up to 6:00 if your grind is coarse)
- Rough strength target: ~350mg / cup
Steps (strong + smoother)
- Add coffee to the press.
- Pour water (hot but not boiling). Stir gently.
- Put the lid on (don’t plunge). Steep 4 minutes.
- Stir once, wait 30 seconds (optional but helps clarity).
- Plunge slowly and pour immediately.
Pro tip (avoid bitterness)
Don’t leave coffee sitting in the press. Once you plunge, pour it out — otherwise it keeps extracting and gets harsh.
Ratings
- Flavour: ★★★★☆ (bold, rich, heavy body)
- Strength: ★★★★★ (the heavyweight)
3) Espresso: Small Cup, Big Attitude
Espresso tastes the strongest because it’s concentrated — but the total caffeine depends on how many shots you drink. A good rule-of-thumb for a double espresso is around ~100mg (varies by dose/beans/recipe).
Strong double espresso baseline
- Coffee dose: 18g
- Yield: 36g out (classic 1:2)
- Time: 25–35 seconds
- Grind: fine (if it gushes → finer, if it chokes → coarser)
Make it “hit harder” without ruining flavour
- Don’t over-extract: bitter espresso isn’t “strong,” it’s just angry.
- Want more caffeine? Pull a second double (or make an Americano with a double). Cleanest way to increase the total hit.
Ratings
- Flavour: ★★★★☆ (intense, concentrated)
- Strength: ★★★☆☆ (per double) / ★★★★★ (if you go double + double)
Fix Your Cup: What to Change When It Tastes Wrong
- Too bitter / dry: grind coarser, shorten brew time, or lower water temp slightly.
- Too sour / weak: grind finer, lengthen brew time, or increase your dose.
- Flat taste: grind fresh + check water temp + tighten your ratio.
Want the simplest “strong” setup?
French Press is the easiest way to get a bold, heavy, high-impact cup. If you want strong but cleaner and sweeter, go V60.
If you're caffeine-sensitive, start lower and work up. Skull Crusher is not the place to guess.
