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    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)

    Published: Nov 28, 2022 by Michelle · 9 Comments

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    A simple recipe for Vietnamese Iced Coffee, (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) which features a rich, strong chicory coffee slowly dripped through a phin filter into sweetened condensed milk.

    Vietnamese iced coffee in glass with phin filter on top.

    There's nothing more simple than a cup of a good coffee.

    That is, until you've had Vietnamese-style coffee.

    If you've been to a Vietnamese phở restaurant, you'll probably have seen someone order cà phê sữa da (Vietnamese iced coffee).

    What is Vietnamese coffee?

    Vietnamese iced coffee, also known as cà phê sữa da is a rich, strong dark coffee drink sweetened with condensed milk.

    The method in which the coffee is brewed is similar to a drip coffee.

    Hot coffee slowly drips through a stainless steel filter (phin), with condensed milk on the bottom.

    Cà phê sữa da is served on ice, however it can be served hot, which is known as cà phê sữa nóng.

    History of coffee in Vietnam

    Coffee was first introduced to Vietnam in 1857 by a French Catholic priest.

    However, it wasn't until after 1986 that Vietnam became one of the largest producers of coffee.

    Vietnam produces the Robusta variety of coffee bean, rather than the more commonly known Arabica.

    Robusta coffee beans are more bitter and used as a filler for instant coffee.

    However, Robusta beans are a hardier variety and is less susceptible to disease, with larger crop yields.

    What type of coffee to use?

    Use any freshly ground dark roast coffee, such as Café du Monde coffee, which contains coffee and chicory.

    Chicory has a similar flavor to coffee, but contains no caffeine.

    Trung Nguyen is also another brand that is quite popular.

    Substitutions

    If you don't have Vietnamese coffee beans on hand, you can use:

    • strong dark roast coffee
    • French roast coffee
    • 1-2 shots of espresso

    Vietnamese iced coffee in glass on saucer with spoon, with a glass of iced coffee in the background.

    What does Vietnamese coffee taste like?

    Vietnamese coffee tastes intensely sweet, milky and bitter at the same time.

    Equipment you'll need

    • Vietnamese coffee phin: a small stainless steel drip filter; you can find it in Vietnamese or Asian grocery stores

    How the Vietnamese coffee filter works

    What makes the traditional Vietnamese coffee filter different than a pour-over (eg. Chemex) or French press is that the phin consists of 2 parts:

    • a bottom metal cylindrical "cup" with perforations and
    • a top disc with perforations that screws into the bottom "cup"

    Coarse-ground coffee is placed into the bottom "cup" and is pressed when the top disc is screwed in with a utensil such as a spoon.

    The trick is finding the right balance between tightening the disc too tightly (no coffee can drip through), versus having the disc too loose (weak coffee, light brown water).

    Close up of Vietnamese iced coffee in glass on saucer with spoon with phin filter on top.

    3 ingredients you'll need

    You'll need:

    • Vietnamese ground coffee: preferably coarse-ground; Cafe du Monde, Trung Nguyen or any dark roast
    • sweetened condensed milk: is a thick, rich milk that is sweetened and comes in a can; Longevity brand is our go-to, but you can use any that you like
    • hot boiling water
    • ice: for serving

    How to make Vietnamese coffee

    Place 1-2 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk (or to your taste) into a tall (hear-resistant) glass. Set aside.

    Add the medium-coarse dark roast ground coffee to the coffee phin filter.

    Place the filter over the glass.

    Pour about 1 tablespoon of boiling hot water over the phin filter and let the coffee grounds bloom.

    Next, pour in the remaining boiling water and watch the coffee slowly drip through the filter into the cup.

    Once the coffee has finished dripping, give the coffee mixture a stir and enjoy (if serving hot), or pour into a tall glass filled with ice.

    Note: the resulting coffee is very strong and concentrated, which is why it is sweetened with condensed milk and served on ice.

    How to serve

    You can serve Vietnamese coffee iced or hot.

    Vietnamese coffee is a drink that is enjoyed at a leisurely pace due to the nature of the slow drip.

    Pair this highly-caffeinated drink with a Cold Cut Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) or Vietnamese Beef Pho for the perfect lunch.

    Glass of Vietnamese iced coffee with spoon on round marble.

    Vietnamese coffee variations

    Cà Phê đá: Regular dark roast Vietnamese coffee on ice

    Bạc Xỉu: "White little" coffee; pretty much the same drink as cà phê sữa da, except there's more condensed milk than coffee

    Cà Phê Cốt Dừa: Iced coconut coffee

    Cà Phê Dừa: Coconut coffee; dark roast coffee with coconut milk and condensed milk

    Cà Phê Trứng: Whipped egg coffee which originated in Hanoi; a coffee drink made topped with whipped egg yolks and condensed milk or sugar and milk, similar to eggnog

    Other delicious coffee recipes you may like

    Be sure to try out these recipes:

    2-Ingredient Vietnamese Coffee Popsicles

    Vietnamese Iced Coconut Coffee

    Cold Brew Coffee (With Espresso Option)

    Vietnamese Egg Coffee

    Vietnamese Coffee French Toast

    No-Churn Espresso Ice Cream 

    Let me know if you try this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below!

    Vietnamese iced coffee in glass on white round marble.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 8 votes

    Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá)

    A simple recipe for Vietnamese Iced Coffee, (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) which features a rich, strong chicory coffee slowly dripped through a phin filter into sweetened condensed milk.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Vietnamese
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 65kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    • 1-2 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk or to your taste
    • 2 tablespoon coarse-ground dark roast coffee Cafe du Monde or Trung Nguyen
    • ½ C hot boiling water
    • 1 C ice
    US Customary | Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Prepare the Vietnamese coffee:

    • In a heat-resistant glass, add in the condensed milk (you can add more or less to your taste).
    • To the coffee phin filter "cup," add 2 tablespoons of coarse ground coffee.
    • Gently tap to ensure the coffee grounds are evenly spread out.
    • Place the top disc on and carefully screw it over the filter "cup" with your fingers. Use a metal spoon and continue to tighten until you feel some resistance.
    • Place the coffee phin over top of the glass with the condensed milk.
    • Pour about 1 tablespoon of hot boiling water into the coffee phin to bloom the coffee grounds and observe how quickly the water drips through. If it's dripping quickly, carefully use a spoon to tighten the filter.
      (Note: the coffee filter is metal so it will be hot). If no coffee is dripping through, then carefully use the spoon to loosen the filter a bit.
    • When the coffee is dripping at an ideal slow rate, pour the rest of the hot water (it should take about 4-5 minutes for the coffee to finish dripping through) and place the cover over top.

    Assemble:

    • Add ice cubes to a tall glass.
    • Once the coffee has finished dripping, remove the phin filter.
    • Stir the condensed milk and coffee together, and pour into the glass with ice.
    • Add a straw and enjoy immediately.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 65kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 45mg | Potassium: 75mg | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.04mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth

      May 03, 2021 at 9:53 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! My daughter definitely loves this recipe! Definitely going to make this again soon!

      Reply
    2. Anjali

      May 03, 2021 at 10:58 pm

      5 stars
      This iced coffee recipe looks so good!! It'll be a nice way to switch things up in the morning for breakfast!

      Reply
    3. Jo

      May 03, 2021 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      I'm addicted to Vietnamese iced coffee because of this recipe. Love it!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        May 04, 2021 at 7:06 am

        Ahh thank you Jo! Glad you're loving it! 🙂

    4. Dannii

      May 04, 2021 at 1:03 am

      5 stars
      I drank so much of this when we were in Northern Thailand. I just adore it. I really need to try making it at home.

      Reply
    5. Mairead

      May 04, 2021 at 3:05 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing all of these tips for making this amazing coffee. Plus I loved reading about the history of coffee in Vietnam.

      Reply
    6. 2pots2cook

      November 29, 2022 at 12:10 am

      5 stars
      Since I am addicted to coffee, I must try this version. Your photos are, beautiful as always!

      Reply
    7. David @ Spiced

      November 29, 2022 at 5:03 am

      5 stars
      Oh I do love Cafe du Monde's coffee! In fact, I'm wearing a Cafe du Monde t-shirt today - it's fate that I should stop by and see this recipe! 🙂 I do enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee, and Laura LOVES it. That means we definitely need to make a batch here soon. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Dawn

      November 29, 2022 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      Yum! With the addition of sweetened condensed milk, it sounds like a real treat! I'd love to have one this afternoon for a little pick me up. 🙂

      Reply

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