Before you start
Set up the first moves
Start by having boiling water, vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee, and sweetened condensed milk ready, then add condensed milk to the bottom of a tall glass.
Bold drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk over ice
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Photo source: Pexels licensed local image by Nguyen Tien Thinh
SavePrep Time
5 min
Cook Time
5 min
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1
1 glass
Difficulty
Easy
Cost
Budget
$
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Tell us what was unclear, what you changed, or what needs another look in Vietnamese Iced Coffee.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Bold drip coffee with sweetened condensed milk over ice
Intensely strong, darkly roasted Vietnamese coffee brewed through a phin filter and swirled with sweetened condensed milk over ice. The ultimate caffeinated indulgence.
5m
Prep Time
5m
Cook Time
10m
Total Time
1
Servings
Easy
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Recipe by Sarah Chen
Reviewed by RecipePool Baking & Breakfast Desk
Editorially reviewed for image relevance, instruction clarity, ingredient fit, visual checkpoints, and practical home-cooking usefulness.
Meet the reviewing desk//
Ca phe sua da is Vietnam's gift to coffee culture — a slow-drip brew using a tiny metal phin filter that produces an incredibly concentrated, bold coffee. Mixed with sweet condensed milk and poured over ice, it is liquid energy.
Kitchen intelligence
Kitchen notes for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Timing read
10 minutes, mostly cooking
Plan for 5 minutes prep and 5 minutes cooking. Midway check: Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom the grounds for 20 seconds, then fill the phin with remaining water.
Flavor logic
Built around boiling water
boiling water, vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice cubes carry the main flavor and texture, so measure them before you adjust seasoning or heat.
Serving plan
1 servings, 1 glass
For Asian and Breakfast, the finish should match this final cue: Remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Visual checkpoints
What to look for as you cook
Reference
Finished dish reference
Vietnamese Iced Coffee should look close to this before serving: clear color contrast, distinct texture, and a ready-to-eat finish.
Cue
Prep
Prep checkpoint
Have 2 tbsp vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee, 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk, 6 oz boiling water measured and ready before heat goes on. Add condensed milk to the bottom of a tall glass.
Cue
Finish
Final cue
Remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee
- 2 tbsp sweetened condensed milk
- 6 oz boiling water
- 1 cup ice cubes
- 1 phin filter (Vietnamese drip filter)
- A tall glass
Ingredient notes
Ingredients worth checking
Shopping focus
Prioritize boiling water
Boiling water, vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and ice cubes carry most of the flavor. Spend attention there first.
Prep notes
Prep in recipe order
Set up the ingredients in list order and keep time-sensitive items nearby.
Adjustment logic
Phin filter can flex
If needed, use French press (brewed extra strong) in place of Phin filter. Similar full-immersion extraction
Optional items
Keep the core intact
Keep the main items intact; use garnish, heat, or acidity for small adjustments.
Shopping guide
Shopping notes for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Buy first
Check sweetened condensed milk quality
Sweetened condensed milk is the ingredient most likely to affect freshness and texture.
Package check
Match package size to the recipe
Boiling water and ice cubes may come in larger containers than needed; confirm amounts before buying backups.
Cost control
1 budget-friendly servings
Use store brands, pantry staples, or simpler sides before changing the core ingredients.
Storage planning
Shop with leftovers in mind
Brew fresh each time for best flavor.
Useful Kitchen Picks
Gear and pantry options that fit this recipe
These are optional, recipe-relevant searches for tools or pantry staples that can make this specific recipe easier to repeat.
AromaBrew
Helpful Pick
Espresso
Pantry upgrade
Why the coffee matters
For recipes like this, better coffee pays off quickly. Stronger, fresher beans give you more flavor without having to compensate elsewhere.
This recipe tastes closer to its intent when the coffee is doing real work.
- More aroma and depth in the final result
- Useful beyond this single dessert or drink
Good espresso beans are usually a more noticeable upgrade than a more complicated gadget.
Shop espresso for this recipeAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Product links are included when they are directly relevant to the recipe.
What You'll Need
Equipment
- Baking pan
- Mixing bowl
- Chef knife
- Cutting board
Instructions
- 1
Add condensed milk to the bottom of a tall glass.
- 2
Place phin filter on top of the glass. Add coffee grounds and gently press with the filter screen.
- 3
Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom the grounds for 20 seconds, then fill the phin with remaining water.
- 4
Wait 4-5 minutes for the coffee to drip through completely.
- 5
Remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Technique notes
Technique checkpoints
Key method moments pulled from the written steps.
Prep phase
3 steps
Key move
Place phin filter on top of the glass.
Why it matters
Add toppings after cooking so fresh, crunchy, or acidic finishes stay distinct.
Watch for
Plate while the main dish is still hot, then add crunchy, acidic, or fresh garnishes right before serving.
Finish phase
2 steps
Key move
Remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Why it matters
Finish this step before adding ingredients or changing the heat.
Watch for
Move on after this instruction is complete: remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Doneness cues
Doneness checks for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Look for
Vietnamese dark-roast ground coffee should look ready
Remove the phin, stir the coffee and condensed milk together, then pour over a glass full of ice.
Heat cue
Control heat before adjusting
If the surface is changing too fast before the center or sauce is ready, lower the heat and give the recipe time to catch up.
Timing cue
5 minutes cook window
Use the 5 minutes prep window to get organized so the cooking stage can move without rushed substitutions.
Final adjustment
Taste and adjust at the end
For Vietnamese Iced Coffee, prep the ingredients before cooking and use the written times as practical checkpoints.
Troubleshooting
Fixes while cooking Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Texture check
If the texture seems off
Check this step before adding heat or liquid: Pour a small amount of hot water to bloom the grounds for 20 seconds, then fill the phin with remaining water.
Timing check
Built around 5 minutes of cooking
Vietnamese Iced Coffee starts with about 5 minutes prep. Steady heat and small adjustments are usually enough.
Seasoning check
Adjust late, not early
Before changing seasoning, check this tip: Use Vietnamese-brand coffee (Trung Nguyen or Cafe Du Monde chicory blend) for the most authentic flavor.
Leftover check
Keep leftovers useful
Not applicable — this is an iced drink.
Scaling guide
Scaling notes for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Half batch
Plan for about 1 serving
For Vietnamese Iced Coffee, halve the main ingredients evenly and season lightly until the final taste check.
Double batch
Scale toward 2 servings
For Vietnamese Iced Coffee, use a wider pan, larger pot, or second tray so the short ingredient list has room.
Timing changes
Prep time changes more than cook time
Cook time starts around 5 minutes; prep starts around 5 minutes.
Leftover math
1 glass
Brew fresh each time for best flavor.
Make-ahead timeline
Make-ahead notes for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Earlier in the day
Prep what will slow you down
Start with this setup step: Add condensed milk to the bottom of a tall glass.
Before serving
10 minutes total planning window
Vietnamese Iced Coffee moves quickly, so avoid starting until the table, sides, and serving pieces are close to ready.
Leftover plan
1 serving to manage
Brew fresh each time for best flavor.
Reheat without damage
Use gentle heat
Not applicable — this is an iced drink.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve over steamed jasmine or sticky rice
Pair with a side of pickled vegetables or kimchi
Add a drizzle of sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor
Serve alongside fresh fruit and your favorite morning beverage
Meal fit
Meal pairings for Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Meal role
Morning or brunch table for 1
Pair this breakfast and snack with sides that add contrast: crisp, fresh, acidic, or starchy as needed.
Best timing
10 minutes weeknight slot
Low-friction timing for Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Add a small buffer if serving guests.
Diet fit
Vegetarian
Keep the sides aligned with vegetarian: vegetables, grains, sauces, or garnishes should follow the same constraint.
Occasion fit
Weeknight Dinner
Good for weeknight dinner when sides can be handled while the main recipe cooks.
Substitutions
Phin filterFrench press (brewed extra strong)
Similar full-immersion extraction
Condensed milkOat milk + sugar
Vegan alternative, though the texture differs
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Use Vietnamese-brand coffee (Trung Nguyen or Cafe Du Monde chicory blend) for the most authentic flavor.
Adjust condensed milk to taste — 2 tablespoons is standard but go up or down to your preference.
Storage
Brew fresh each time for best flavor.
Reheating
Not applicable — this is an iced drink. For hot version, skip the ice.
Cooking Notes
Editor's Note
For Vietnamese Iced Coffee, prep the ingredients before cooking and use the written times as practical checkpoints. Taste at the end for salt, acidity, and texture so the final dish feels balanced.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (10mg) · 1 servings
Calories120
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein2g
Carbohydrates3g
Fat22g
Fiber45mg
Sugar0g
Sodium20g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes Vietnamese iced coffee different?
- It is usually brewed strong and balanced with sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice for a rich, chilled drink.
- Can I make Vietnamese iced coffee without a phin filter?
- Yes. Brew a small, strong coffee with another method, then stir it with condensed milk and pour it over plenty of ice.
RecipePool Baking & Breakfast Desk
Vietnamese Iced Coffee is kept in the public catalog after review for image relevance, ingredient fit, instruction clarity, and practical page quality.
See how our editorial desks review recipesPhoto source: Pexels licensed local image by Nguyen Tien Thinh
