Vietnamese iced coffee, or Cà Phê Sữa Đá, is one of the most famous coffee drinks in Vietnam. Its concept is simple: strong coffee, sweet condensed milk, and ice combine to create a rich and refreshing beverage.
The best part is that making authentic Vietnamese-style iced coffee at home is easy. You don't need an expensive espresso machine – a traditional phin filter is enough.
What is Cà Phê Sữa Đá?
The name Cà Phê Sữa Đá essentially means Vietnamese coffee with milk and ice. The drink’s signature flavor is created by strong coffee brewed with a phin and condensed milk.
Condensed milk adds sweetness and creaminess, while the coffee provides the drink with a roasted and robust body. When poured over ice, the result is cold, rich, and highly aromatic.
Why is a phin used for Vietnamese iced coffee?
A phin is a small metal Vietnamese coffee filter that is placed directly on top of a cup or glass. Water passes through the coffee slowly, resulting in a concentrated and strong coffee extract.
This is exactly the brewing method that suits Cà Phê Sữa Đá. The coffee needs to be strong enough so that its flavor remains present even with the condensed milk and ice.
Which coffee is suitable for Vietnamese iced coffee?
In traditional Vietnamese coffee culture, Robusta plays an important role. Its full body and intense flavor pair well with a drink that includes sweet condensed milk.
If you want a balanced starting point, Saigon Blend is well-suited for brewing with a phin. If you prefer a particularly strong and intense coffee, Robusta Premium is a good alternative.
Authentic Vietnamese iced coffee at home – recipe
Ingredients
- 20 g of Phinland Coffee's Saigon Blend, ground for a phin
- 70 ml of hot water
- 25–30 g of condensed milk
- Plenty of ice
Preparation
- Add the condensed milk to the bottom of a glass.
- Place the coffee in the phin, pre-bloom with about 15–20 ml of water, and let the coffee bloom for 20–30 seconds.
- Add the remaining water and let the coffee drip directly onto the milk.
- Stir the coffee and milk thoroughly.
- Add the ice and serve immediately.
See the original Saigon Cà Phê Sữa Đá recipe →
Common mistakes when making Vietnamese iced coffee
The coffee drips too quickly
If the phin drains almost immediately, the grind might be too coarse or you may be using too little coffee.
The coffee doesn't drip at all
If the water stays in the phin, the grind might be too fine or the coffee has been packed too tightly.
The coffee doesn't stand out in the drink
In Vietnamese iced coffee, the richness of the coffee blends with the sweetness of the condensed milk and the ice. Therefore, it is worth keeping the coffee's own flavor sufficiently clear.
Saigon Blend or Robusta Premium?
If you are making Vietnamese iced coffee for the first time, both are good starting points, but they have different characters.
Saigon Blend is a good choice if you want a rich yet balanced cup. Robusta Premium is more suitable if you are looking for a stronger and more intense Robusta flavor.
If you want to explore Vietnamese coffee more broadly, the Vietnam Tasting Box allows you to compare different coffees side by side.
Do you need all the equipment separately?
Not necessarily. If you want to try Vietnamese iced coffee as easily as possible, Starter Kit 1 combines the Saigon Blend and a phin filter into one package.
If you prefer a stronger Robusta, an alternative is Starter Kit 2, which includes Robusta Premium and a black phin filter.
Frequently asked questions about Vietnamese iced coffee
Is Vietnamese iced coffee strong?
Often, yes. Coffee brewed with a phin is concentrated and bold in flavor, which makes it a great match for condensed milk and ice.
Can you make Vietnamese iced coffee without a phin?
Yes, but the phin gives the preparation its characteristic Vietnamese nature. If your goal is the most traditional brewing method possible, the phin is the right tool.
Can you use Arabica?
Yes. Vietnamese coffee does not automatically mean only Robusta. However, Arabica provides a different flavor profile than intense Robusta.
How sweet should Vietnamese iced coffee be?
The amounts in this recipe are 25–30 g of condensed milk. This amount gives the drink its signature sweetness.
Make Vietnamese iced coffee yourself
Cà Phê Sữa Đá is a great example of why Vietnamese coffee culture is so interesting. You only need good coffee, a phin filter, condensed milk, and ice.
If you want to try it at home, start with Saigon Blend and a phin.