Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Cà Phê Sữa Đá is a globally beloved Vietnamese beverage known for its bold flavor and delightful sweetness. It is traditionally prepared using a small metal drip filter called a "phin," which slowly brews a very strong, dark coffee. This potent brew is then mixed with a generous amount of sweetened condensed milk and poured over a tall glass of ice. The result is a perfectly balanced, creamy, and invigorating drink that provides a powerful caffeine kick.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Preparation

Preparation time: 8 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

This is a non-alcoholic coffee drink. It is considered a traditional Vietnamese beverage, enjoyed both as a morning staple and an afternoon refreshment. It's a classic example of Southeast Asian coffee culture.

Serving

Served cold over plenty of ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, this non-alcoholic drink is a medium-sized beverage. No special treatment for the glass is required.
Serving size
200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the mid-19th century. Due to the country's tropical climate, fresh milk was not widely available and was difficult to preserve. Creative locals substituted it with readily available sweetened condensed milk, giving birth to this iconic and delicious drink.
Origin
Vietnam, mid-to-late 19th century. The drink's creation is directly tied to the introduction of coffee by French colonists and the local adaptation to available ingredients.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

The drink's original name is "Cà Phê Sữa Đá" in Vietnamese, which translates literally to "coffee, milk, ice". It is most commonly known in English as Vietnamese Iced Coffee. The name perfectly describes its three core components.
Original name
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Alternative name
Vietnamese Milk Coffee

Characteristics overview

This drink boasts a powerful aroma of roasted coffee, leading to a rich, creamy flavor dominated by a balance of intense sweetness and pleasant coffee bitterness. Its smooth, full-bodied texture and cooling nature make it a refreshing treat.
Flavor
Strong coffee, sweet, creamy, rich, caramel, chocolatey notes
Aroma
Roasted coffee, sweet, milky
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter
Aftertaste
Long, sweet, creamy
Fizziness
Still, none
Color appearance
Opaque, creamy light brown, tan
Texture
Rich, smooth, creamy, full-bodied
Seasonality
Refreshing, cooling, summery, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is intense, defined by a high level of sweetness and creaminess that balances the moderate bitterness of the strong coffee. It is a completely still, non-alcoholic beverage with no salty, sour, or spicy notes.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a strong, dark-roast coffee, sweetened condensed milk for sweetness and creaminess, and hot water for brewing. The drink is served over a generous amount of cubed ice.
  • Dark roast ground coffee2-3 tablespoons (approx. 15g)
    A Vietnamese-style dark roast, often with chicory (like Cafe Du Monde), is recommended for authenticity. Grind should be medium-coarse.
  • Sweetened condensed milk30-45 ml / 1-1.5 oz (or 2-3 tablespoons)
    Adjust quantity to your desired sweetness level. Longevity brand is a popular choice in Vietnam.
  • Hot water120 ml / 4 oz
    Should be just off the boil (around 96°C / 205°F).
  • IceEnough to fill the serving glass
    Cubed ice is standard.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The most crucial piece of equipment is the traditional Vietnamese "phin" filter for brewing. You will also need a heatproof glass to brew into and a long spoon to stir the coffee and condensed milk.
  • Phin filter (Vietnamese coffee press) for brewing the coffee.
  • Long spoon for stirring.
  • Heatproof glass or mug for brewing into.

Instructions

The process involves brewing strong coffee through a phin filter directly into a glass with sweetened condensed milk. After brewing, the mixture is stirred well and then poured over a tall glass filled with ice.
1. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into a small, heatproof glass.
2. Place the chamber of the phin filter on top of the glass.
3. Add the ground coffee to the phin, then gently screw on the filter press (damper) until it makes light contact with the coffee. Do not overtighten.
4. Pour about 15 ml / 0.5 oz of hot water into the phin to allow the coffee grounds to "bloom" for 30 seconds.
5. Fill the phin to the top with the remaining hot water, place the lid on, and wait for the coffee to drip through completely. This should take 4-5 minutes.
6. Once the dripping has stopped, remove the phin filter.
7. Stir the hot coffee and condensed milk together thoroughly until the mixture is uniform in color and consistency.
8. Fill a separate highball glass with cubed ice.
9. Pour the coffee mixture over the ice.
10. Serve immediately with a long spoon or a straw.

Garnishing

This drink is prized for its simplicity and bold flavor, and as such, it is not traditionally garnished. Its creamy tan color is its own visual appeal.
  • None. This drink is traditionally served without a garnish.

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine and dairy (from condensed milk), making it unsuitable for those who are caffeine-sensitive, lactose intolerant, or vegan. It is naturally egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a high-calorie beverage, primarily due to its very high sugar and carbohydrate content from the sweetened condensed milk. It is not considered a low-calorie or diet-friendly drink.
Calories
Averagely 180-250 kcal / 753-1046 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 30-40 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 30-40 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile drink is perfect as a morning starter to kick off the day or as a revitalizing afternoon treat. Its cold, refreshing nature makes it especially popular in hot weather. It can also be enjoyed as a sweet dessert-like beverage after a meal.
  • Morning coffee
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Hot weather refreshment
  • Post-meal treat

Pairing suggestions

Cà Phê Sữa Đá pairs wonderfully with savory Vietnamese street food like Bánh mì, balancing the rich and spicy flavors. It also complements sweet pastries or can simply be enjoyed on its own as a delightful and energizing treat.
  • Bánh mì sandwich
  • Vietnamese pastries
  • As a standalone treat

Cà Phê Sữa Đá: The Sweet and Strong Vietnamese Classic

Vietnamese Iced Coffee, or Cà Phê Sữa Đá, is a testament to delicious simplicity. Combining just strong coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice, it delivers a uniquely satisfying experience. The traditional phin filter brewing method creates an intensely flavored coffee that, when mixed with the creamy sweetness of the milk, results in a perfectly balanced and invigorating drink. It is a cultural icon of Vietnam and a refreshing treat beloved worldwide for its powerful kick and decadent flavor.

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