Few drinks capture balance and boldness quite like Vietnamese iced coffee. This Vietnamese iced coffee recipe combines strong, slow-brewed coffee with creamy, sweetened condensed milk, poured over ice for the perfect mix of richness and refreshment.
In this guide, you’ll learn everything about Vietnamese iced coffee. From how to make it at home to understanding its flavor, ingredients, and variations.
What Is Vietnamese Iced Coffee?
Vietnamese iced coffee, or Cà phê sữa đá, is a traditional coffee drink made with strong dark-roasted coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice. It’s known for its bold flavor, creamy sweetness, and smooth finish.
The drink is brewed using a small metal filter called a phin, which allows hot water to slowly drip through finely ground coffee. This process creates a concentrated, espresso-like brew that mixes perfectly with condensed milk.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Recipe
Let’s see how you can make Vietnamese iced coffee at home.
What You Will Need?
- Coffee (Use Robusta beans)
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Water
- Ice
Tools
To make Vietnamese iced coffee, you’ll need a phin filter. This is a small metal drip brewer that is portable and requires no electricity.
A phin filter has four parts:
- Base plate: sits on top of your glass or cup.
- Filter chamber: holds the ground coffee.
- Press disk: gently compresses the grounds.
- Lid: traps the heat while the coffee brews.
If you don’t have a phin, you can use:
- French press (Here is a full step-by-step guide)
- Pour over or drip-style method
Step-by-Step Recipe
Here’s how to make traditional Vietnamese iced coffee:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark roast Vietnamese coffee (medium to coarse grind)
- 6-8 ounces hot water (just below boiling)
- 2-3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk (adjust to taste)
- Ice cubes
1. Add condensed milk to the glass.
Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of your cup. This will form the base of your drink.
2. Add coffee to the phin filter.
Place the phin on top of your glass. Add the coffee grounds to the chamber, then shake gently to level them out. Place the press disk on top without pressing down hard.
3. Pour hot water.
Pour a small amount of hot water (about 1 ounce) over the grounds to let them bloom. Wait about 30 seconds, then fill the filter with the remaining water. Cover with the lid.
4. Let it drip.
The coffee should drip slowly, about one drop per second. This takes 4-5 minutes.
5. Stir and mix.
Once the dripping stops, remove the phin filter and stir the brewed coffee with the condensed milk until smooth and combined.
6. Add ice and enjoy.
Pour the mixture over a tall glass filled with ice cubes. Stir gently and enjoy your refreshing, sweet, and bold Vietnamese iced coffee.
Tip: Try Salted Vietnamese Iced Coffee
For salted Vietnamese iced coffee, use a pinch of salt to enhance and balance the natural flavors of the coffee.
Salt may seem unexpected in a sweet iced coffee, but it works beautifully. A small amount softens the bitterness of the strong Robusta brew and tones down the sweetness of the condensed milk.
At the same time, it highlights the chocolatey, caramel-like notes that Vietnamese coffee is known for.
Tips for Homemade Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Here are some easy tips to help you get the best results every time.
Use strong dark roast coffee
If you can’t find Vietnamese brands like Trung Nguyên or Café du Monde, choose any dark roast with a full body and low acidity.
Adjust the condensed milk to taste
Sweetness is part of the classic flavor, but the amount is flexible. Start with 2 tablespoons of condensed milk and adjust up or down depending on how sweet or creamy you like it.
Let the coffee drip slowly
If you’re using a phin filter, a slow drip gives the best flavor. Fast dripping means the grind is too coarse. Slow, steady dripping produces a stronger, smoother brew.
Cool the coffee slightly before icing
Pouring very hot coffee directly over ice melts it too quickly and can water down the flavor. Let the coffee cool for one to two minutes before adding it to the ice.
Use coffee ice cubes
If you want a stronger drink that doesn’t dilute over time, freeze leftover coffee in an ice tray and use those cubes instead of regular ice.
Are Bottled Vietnamese Iced Coffees Close Enough in Taste?
Bottled Vietnamese iced coffee is usually sweeter, creamier, and often less intense than the traditional recipe.
The biggest difference is the freshness. Homemade Vietnamese iced coffee has a deep, aromatic flavor that bottled versions rarely replicate.
But if you have never tried Vietnamese iced coffee, or you want to enjoy it on the go, then a bottled version can be a great choice.
How to Drink Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Vietnamese iced coffee is meant to be savored slowly. The drink starts strong, but as the ice melts, it softens the intensity and creates a smooth, balanced finish.
Most people in Vietnam drink it after meals or in the afternoon as a refreshing energy boost. The combination of strong Robusta coffee and sweetened condensed milk gives a quick lift.
It is ideal for warm weather, busy days, or any moment when you want something sweet and energizing at the same time.
What Does Vietnamese Iced Coffee Taste Like?
Vietnamese iced coffee is intense like espresso, but smoother and sweeter thanks to the condensed milk.
The strong flavor comes from the use of Robusta beans, which are naturally more bitter and contain more caffeine than Arabica. This bitterness isn’t harsh. Instead, it cuts through the sweetness of the condensed milk and keeps the drink from becoming too heavy or sugary.
As the ice melts, the drink becomes smoother, cooler, and slightly lighter, shifting from intense to refreshing. The flavor usually carries hints of chocolate, roasted nuts, and a subtle smokiness that lingers pleasantly.
Since this coffee uses sweet condensed milk, you may want to learn about calories in Vietnamese iced coffee.
Is Vietnamese Iced Coffee Strong?
Yes, Vietnamese iced coffee is considered a strong coffee drink. A typical serving of Vietnamese iced coffee uses about 3 to 4 ounces of brewed Robusta coffee and contains roughly 100 to 130 mg of caffeine, depending on how strong the brew is.
For a detailed breakdown and comparison to other brews, check out this post: Caffeine in Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
Variations to Try
Here are the variations that you can try, either if you want to make a twist on a traditional recipe, or if you don’t have a phin filter.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Cold Brew
A smoother and less bitter twist made by steeping coffee grounds overnight. The long extraction time softens the intensity while keeping the rich Vietnamese flavor.
Check out this guide to see how to make Vietnamese iced coffee with cold brew.
Vietnamese Coconut Iced Coffee
This version uses coconut milk or coconut cream for a naturally sweet, tropical flavor. It pairs beautifully with the strength of Vietnamese coffee and creates a creamy, refreshing drink.
Vegan Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Perfect for dairy-free drinkers. Replace condensed milk with coconut milk, oat milk, or sweetened plant-based creamers for a lighter but still creamy finish.
Vietnamese Egg Coffee Iced
A dessert-style drink that tastes like a coffee-flavored custard. Served over ice, it becomes a rich, chilled treat.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Nespresso
A quick and convenient way to make a strong coffee base using Nespresso pods. Ideal for anyone who wants the flavor of Vietnamese iced coffee without a phin filter.
FAQ
Is Vietnamese iced coffee sweet?
Yes, Vietnamese iced coffee is naturally sweet because it is made with sweetened condensed milk. You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less condensed milk or by using milk alternatives for a lighter taste.
What type of coffee is best for Vietnamese iced coffee?
Dark roast coffee made with Robusta beans gives the closest flavor to traditional Vietnamese coffee.
Can I reduce the caffeine in Vietnamese iced coffee?
Yes. Use a smaller amount of coffee or choose an Arabica-based blend.
How long should a phin filter drip?
A typical drip should take about 4 to 5 minutes. Faster dripping makes the coffee weak, while very slow dripping can make it overly bitter.
Why does my phin brew overflow or clog?
This often happens if the grind size is too fine or the press disk is screwed down too tightly. Use a medium-coarse grind and place the disk gently on top of the grounds without pressing hard.
Key Takeaways
Vietnamese iced coffee is easy to make at home once you understand the basics.
- Vietnamese iced coffee is made with strong dark-roasted coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice.
- The phin filter is the traditional brewing tool that creates a slow, concentrated drip for maximum flavor.
- Robusta beans give the drink its intense strength, deep bitterness, and chocolatey undertones.
- A typical serving contains about 130 to 200 mg of caffeine, making it stronger than many other iced coffee styles.
- You can adjust the sweetness by increasing or reducing the condensed milk or using milk alternatives.