Learn how to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee at home! This drink uses sweetened condensed milk for the most rich, decadent coffee imaginable!
Years ago I was first introduced to Vietnamese Iced Coffee (cà phê sữa đá) by a friend. There are numerous Vietnamese restaurants in the DC/MD/VA area and after tasting this delicious drink once, I began traveling to get it on a regular basis. Vietnamese iced coffee is creamy, rich and gives me that great burst of energy you can only get from sugar and caffeine. Bliss! Now that I realize how simple they are to make, I can enjoy them at home whenever I please. You need a Vietnamese coffee filter, which can be found online or at most Asian markets. You also need chicory coffee, which can be found at most supermarkets. I prefer Cafe Du Monde.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Ingredients
- Coffee with Chicory
- Water
- Sweetened condensed milk to taste
Instructions
- Pour some sweetened condensed milk into a glass. Personally, I like this drink very sweet. I'd start with 2 tablespoons and see how you like it.
- Boil some water. Add 2 tablespoons of coffee to the filter, screw the top on and set it on top of the glass.
- Fill the filter all the way with boiling water, place the lid on, and allow the liquid to slowly drip into the sweetened condensed milk. This will take several minutes.
- Once the coffee has finished dripping, stir the mixture together and pour it into a fresh glass over ice. Enjoy!
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Recipe Troubleshooting
For immediate help troubleshooting a recipe, please email me using the form on my contact page. I’ll try to respond to urgent questions as quickly as possible! For all general questions, please leave a comment here :)
whenquiet says
I am in!!!!..Might even add a swig of vanilla:-)
thelittleloaf says
Putting condensed milk into iced coffee is probably the best idea EVER. I first had this at a little Vietnamese cafe in London earlier this year and it ticks all the right boxes – cold, sweet, coffee-flavoured and delicious!
mediaudio says
Let me begin by saying: what an awesome post! I would only add that you pull the water off the heat right before it boils, as boiling water will create excessive pressure, forcing the water through too quickly. Sorry to sound like a coffee snob here, but I am :) Hehe
William says
I love this with a bowl of pho…or anything Vietnamese really. I do like to keep this for occasions I go out but buying the filter is an interesting idea. Beautiful post
uggclogs says
I just returned to Australia after three years in Hanoi, and your post has made me so home sick!
I used to go around the corner to the local coffee shop and just sit there. Many places in Vietnam now give you the rocket fuel coffee with condensed milk, no need to wait for the drip. But there is something contemplative and zen about watching the world go by as the coffee drips painfully slowly through the grout.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I Made You A Mixtape says
Oh, my… one caffeine addict here who is so going to try this!
Selvinas says
Interesting! Tried this once before and it was good! Not much of a coffeefan usually :)
But what’s the difference between a Western coffeefilter and an Asian one? Can’t I just filter it in a Wester one and then pour it in my cup?
Savory Simple says
You can absolutely use a Western filter. The Vietnamese coffee filter is part of the ritual, but the drink will taste the same either way :)
rsmacaalay says
This is perfect for my coffee cravings durinng summer, specially now its hot here in New Zealand
Raymund
http://angsarap.wordpress.com
Cranky says
I must try to find one of those Vietnamese filters. I love to use sweetened condensed milk in coffee and I have some at home just begging to be used!
nocturnefirefay says
You have such beautiful recipes and such a beautiful blog!
Eileen黃愛玲 says
Whoa, how come I didn’t find out about this? I feel sad. (writes this down)
Cave Story says
It’s cheap. And it’s good!
TisaLira says
My family loves coffee. We’re going to have to try this. Thank you for sharing your story and your pics!
morristownmemos by Ronnie Hammer says
I felt a buzz just reading about Vietnamese Coffee.
Ronnie
Cristina Roman says
Ooh, that looks great! As soon as you said chicory coffee, I thought Cafe du Monde- before I even read the rest of your sentence :) Gotta love that New Orleans style!