Vietnamese iced coffee is bold, sweet, and full of flavor. Once you’ve had a sip, it’s hard to go back to anything else. In this article, we’re diving into what makes this iconic drink so unique, how to make it at home, and why it stands out from other iced coffee styles around the world. You’ll get a full breakdown of the ingredients, tips to nail the brewing process, and even a few delicious twists to try. Whether you’re new to Vietnamese coffee or already hooked, this guide will make it easy to enjoy the best cup every time.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A Personal Take on Vietnamese Iced Coffee
My First Sip of Vietnamese Coffee
I still remember my first sip of Vietnamese iced coffee like it was yesterday. I was in a tiny, no-frills restaurant tucked behind a row of busy street vendors. The drink came in a tall glass filled with ice, dark coffee resting above a layer of condensed milk. That contrast alone caught my attention. One quick stir and sip, and I was hooked. It was deep, chocolatey, rich, and incredibly smooth.
My love for strong coffee began in my grandmother’s kitchen. She made hers on the stovetop every morning. But Vietnamese iced coffee was something else. It felt like the flavors were stronger, smoother, and more luxurious. It reminded me of Vietnamese coffee cookies, which capture that same rich taste in each bite. You can even enjoy the flavor frozen with this Vietnamese coffee ice cream.
Why Vietnamese Iced Coffee Stands Out
What makes Vietnamese iced coffee unique isn’t just the ingredients. It’s the brewing method. It uses a phin filter, which slowly drips hot water over dark roast coffee grounds. The result is a concentrated brew that’s both strong and smooth. This coffee is then poured over sweetened condensed milk, creating a creamy and rich base. Finally, it’s poured over ice to make it perfectly chilled and bold.
Unlike other iced drinks like cookie butter cold brew, this one leans into intensity. It’s a great choice for anyone who loves a strong, sweet cup. If you’ve never tried iced coffee Vietnam style, you’re in for a treat.
How to Make Vietnamese Iced Coffee at Home
Ingredients You’ll Need for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
To make a proper Vietnamese iced coffee recipe, you only need a few ingredients, but the quality matters. At the heart of this drink is Vietnamese coffee, usually a strong, dark roast made from robusta beans. These beans are more bitter and have higher caffeine content compared to arabica. This gives the drink its deep, punchy flavor.
You’ll also need sweetened condensed milk. This isn’t just a sweetener; it adds body and creaminess. If you’re new to Vietnamese coffee, using the classic Longevity Brand or any thick, rich condensed milk is key. You’ll also need ice and hot water for brewing. A phin filter is the traditional tool, but if you don’t have one, a French press or moka pot works too.
Want something fun to serve alongside your coffee? These Vietnamese coffee marble cookies pair beautifully and keep the flavor theme going.
Brewing Step-by-Step With a Phin Filter
- Add two tablespoons of ground Vietnamese coffee to the phin filter.
- Place the filter over your glass and add a splash of hot water to bloom the coffee.
- Wait 30 seconds, then fill the rest of the filter with hot water.
- Let it drip slowly. This takes about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Once done, stir in two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk.
- Fill another glass with ice and pour the coffee mixture over it.
That’s it. You’ve just made a glass of iced coffee Vietnam style.
Looking for more cold drink inspiration? Try something light like cold brew green tea or the flavorful guava matcha milk tea.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add two tablespoons of ground Vietnamese coffee to the phin filter.
- Place the filter over a glass and add a splash of hot water to bloom the coffee. Wait 30 seconds.
- Fill the rest of the filter with hot water and let it drip slowly for 4–5 minutes.
- Once brewed, stir in two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk until fully combined.
- Fill a separate glass with ice and pour the coffee mixture over it.
- Stir gently and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!What Makes Vietnamese Iced Coffee So Strong?
The Bold Character of Vietnamese Coffee
One of the first things you’ll notice when drinking Vietnamese iced coffee is how strong it tastes. It is not just intense. It is powerful. The reason lies in the type of coffee used. Most Vietnamese coffee is brewed with robusta beans, which naturally contain nearly twice as much caffeine as arabica. This gives the drink its signature boldness and energy.
The brewing method also plays a role. When made with a phin filter, hot water drips slowly over tightly packed coffee grounds. This process pulls more flavor from the coffee, creating a concentrated brew. Even with condensed milk and ice added, the flavor stays deep and rich.
If you enjoy that flavor in coffee, you will probably love it in desserts too. The taste works beautifully in both Vietnamese coffee marble cookies and Vietnamese coffee ice cream. Both recipes capture the same satisfying depth.
How It Compares to Other Iced Coffees
Most iced coffees are made using drip methods or cold brew, then poured over ice with milk or sweeteners. That results in a lighter flavor. Vietnamese iced coffee starts strong. It is brewed with less water and higher strength, closer to espresso in style. That gives it a more powerful taste and more caffeine per ounce.
If you compare it to drinks like black milk tea bubble tea or matcha green tea bubble tea, the difference is clear. Vietnamese iced coffee delivers boldness, caffeine, and richness all in one glass.
A Cultural Favorite That Deserves a Spot in Your Routine
Why Vietnamese Iced Coffee Is More Than Just a Drink
For many people in Vietnam, coffee is not just a pick-me-up. It is part of daily life. Locals drink it in the morning at roadside stalls, sip it slowly in cafés during the afternoon, and often pair it with casual conversations. The slow drip method with the phin filter also reflects the relaxed pace of enjoying the moment, not rushing it.
What stands out is how this coffee fits into both tradition and modern life. It has the power to wake you up and also give you a moment of pause. That balance makes it worth adding to your routine, especially if you love drinks that bring both flavor and comfort.
You do not need to live in Vietnam to enjoy this experience. With just a few basic ingredients and tools, you can bring that same feeling into your own kitchen. Try it with Vietnamese coffee cookies or sip it slowly in the afternoon like a warm-weather ritual.
Variations You Can Try at Home
Once you master the classic Vietnamese iced coffee recipe, you can play with new variations. Try swapping the condensed milk for coconut condensed milk for a dairy-free twist. You can also blend it with ice to make a thick coffee smoothie.
Another idea is turning the brewed coffee into popsicles or mixing it with cream for a frozen dessert. If you like experimenting with drink flavors, you might enjoy guava matcha milk tea or cold brew green tea. But if strong and sweet is your style, Vietnamese iced coffee will always hold a special place.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vietnamese Iced Coffee
What is different about Vietnamese iced coffee?
Vietnamese iced coffee stands out because it uses robusta beans and is brewed through a slow-drip metal phin filter. This creates a strong, concentrated coffee that is then sweetened with thick condensed milk and poured over ice. The result is a creamy, bold, and sweet drink that delivers a unique flavor and higher caffeine content than most iced coffees.
What’s in Vietnamese iced coffee?
The classic Vietnamese iced coffee recipe includes ground Vietnamese coffee, sweetened condensed milk, hot water, and ice. It is traditionally brewed using a phin filter that allows the coffee to slowly drip into the glass. This slow process intensifies the flavor and creates the rich profile the drink is known for.
Why is Vietnamese iced coffee so strong?
Vietnamese coffee is often made with robusta beans, which have nearly double the caffeine content of arabica beans. Combined with a slow brewing process that extracts more flavor and a higher coffee-to-water ratio, the result is a powerful and deeply flavorful iced coffee Vietnam style.
What is iced coffee called in Vietnam?
In Vietnam, iced coffee with condensed milk is called cà phê sữa đá. The black version without milk is cà phê đá. Both are popular throughout the country and are enjoyed at all hours of the day, often at small cafés or roadside stalls.
What is Vietnamese iced coffee?
Vietnamese iced coffee is a chilled coffee drink made by dripping strong coffee over sweetened condensed milk and ice. It is known for its deep flavor, creamy texture, and cultural significance in Vietnam’s everyday life.
How to make Vietnamese iced coffee?
To make it, place ground Vietnamese coffee in a phin filter and pour hot water over it. Let it drip into a glass with two tablespoons of condensed milk. Once brewed, stir and pour over ice. It is quick to prepare and easy to customize.
How much caffeine in Vietnamese iced coffee?
Depending on the type of beans and brewing time, Vietnamese iced coffee can have between 80 to 150 milligrams of caffeine per serving. Because it is made with strong coffee and a concentrated brew method, it delivers a noticeable energy boost in just one glass.
Conclusion
Vietnamese iced coffee is more than just a drink. It’s an experience that blends strong, bold coffee with sweet, creamy richness. From the unique brewing method using a phin filter to the deep flavors of robusta beans, every sip tells a story. Whether you’re enjoying it at a street-side café in Vietnam or making it at home in your kitchen, this drink has the power to energize and comfort at the same time.
With just a few ingredients and a little practice, anyone can learn how to make Vietnamese iced coffee. So go ahead and try it. Let its flavor become part of your morning or afternoon ritual. And if you’re feeling adventurous, pair it with coffee-based treats like Vietnamese coffee cookies or cool down with Vietnamese coffee ice cream. There’s always a new way to enjoy this rich and satisfying classic.