How To Make The Best Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Iced coffee is cherished worldwide, and Vietnamese iced coffee, cà phê sữa đá, has become a standout favorite in coffee shops everywhere. Traditionally, many places have been mixing condensed milk with brewed coffee from various origins and calling it Vietnamese iced coffee, but that's misleading. Authentic Vietnamese iced coffee, like what you'd find from street vendors in Vietnam or your favorite restaurants, must be brewed with coffee from Vietnam, specifically using robusta beans. These beans' bold, nutty flavors perfectly complement the sweetness of condensed milk. Furthermore, the coffee should be brewed using a metal phin filter, which produces a strong, concentrated cup for the most traditional experience.

While you might not find a nearby café serving Vietnamese iced coffee made with 100% single-origin Vietnamese beans, we can show you how to make it yourself! Follow our guide to craft the best Vietnamese iced coffee and transport yourself to the tropics of Vietnam with this refreshing, sweet, and robust coffee delight.

Tools and Ingredients:

• Vietnamese Robusta coffee like Trung Nguyen
• A stainless steel phin filter or any other coffee brewing tools (e.g. French Press, Pour-Over)
• Hot water
• Condensed milk
• A glass or container to brew in
• Ice cubes 

How to Make It: 

1. Boil water to 90-96°C (tip: boil your water then wait for 30-45 seconds)

2. Place the phin filter plate and chamber on top of the glass

3. Add 2 tablespoons (14g) of ground Vietnamese coffee into the phin filter (or use a 1:8 coffee to water ratio)

4. Shake the filter chamber to even out the grounds

5. Place gravity press on top of coffee grounds

6. Pour about 30 ml (or 1-2 cm) of water to bloom the coffee for 30-45 seconds

7. Pour the remaining of water to fill to the top of the filter

8. Wait for the coffee to drip (5-7 minutes total)

9. Add 15 ml of condensed milk to your glass

10. Add the coffee and stir

11. Add ice and enjoy! 

Vietnamese iced coffee contrasts sharply with an Americano, offering a smaller volume with a sweeter, more robust flavor. For those wanting to brew larger quantities, we recommend using a larger phin filter or performing a second pour of hot water through your phin filter to increase the final brew's volume.

Can you still make Vietnamese Coffee when you don't have a Phin? Yes

The closest alternative to a phin is a French press. While this method doesn't produce identical coffee, the resulting beverage closely resembles that made with a phin. Naturally, the taste hinges on using high-quality coffee, as the distinctive flavor of Vietnamese coffee comes from the beans and their roast. Ultimately, there's no wrong way to make your coffee as long as you brew with coffee from Vietnam.

This technique yields the finest Vietnamese iced coffee you can make at home. It’s worth noting that you don’t necessarily need sweetened condensed milk. Your perfect cup of coffee should be tailored to your taste. If you prefer black coffee, simply add ice to your brewed coffee. For those who are vegan, we offer a vegan Vietnamese iced coffee recipe that uses coconut condensed milk. Once you've identified your preferences, feel free to adjust the coffee-to-water ratio or customize the type and amount of condensed milk used.

Vietnamese iced coffee is easy, quick, and delicious! We believe it could become your new daily coffee. Brewing with a Vietnamese phin filter takes less than 8 minutes, delivering a potent and delightful result. Why wait? The best Vietnamese iced coffee you'll ever taste is calling your name!