How to Make Vietnamese Coffee (Vegan)

Now that we know how to make vegan sweet condensed milk, it’s time to make coffee and not any coffee!

This ultra-creamy, rich, and perfectly sweet iced coffee will be your new favorite afternoon (or morning) drink! Let’s do it!

📘 What is Vietnamese Coffee?

Called “cà phê sữa đá” in Vietnamese, this coffee consists of just two ingredients: coffee and sweet condensed milk. The addition of condensed milk balances with the bitterness of the coffee and gives the drink a rich mouthfeel.

It is said that coffee was introduced by the French in Viet Nam during the 19th century. Later, Vietnam started to produce coffee beans and quickly became one of the largest exporters of coffee after Brazil.

Because of the climate, Vietnam produces mostly Robusta beans, which grow at a lower altitude and are cheaper to produce compared to Arabica. The downside of Robusta is that it’s usually strong in flavor and more bitter. Hence the use of condensed milk to balance the bitterness.

☕️ How to Make Vietnamese Coffee

To prepare this iced coffee the traditional way, you will need a Vietnamese coffee filter. Called “cà phê phin” in Vietnamese, this filter is a small metal cup that you place on top of a glass. Here is how to prepare Vietnamese coffee:

1. Start by adding a few tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk to a glass. This will bring creaminess and sweetness.
2. Next, place the Vietnamese coffee filter on top of the glass.
3. Add coarse ground coffee to the filter, place the press on top, and pour boiling water into the cup. Cover with the filter lid.
4. Coffee will start dripping directly into the glass. This step will take about 5 minutes.
5. Once the coffee has stopped dripping, remove the filter and stir to mix the condensed milk with the coffee.
6. Add ice, and enjoy!

📔 Ratio of Condensed Milk to Coffee

The amount of condensed milk to use depends on a couple of things:

• How sweet you want it: If you have a sweet tooth, you may add an extra tablespoon of condensed milk.
• How strong your coffee is: This one is important. The stronger your coffee, the more condensed milk you will need to balance with the bitterness.

Quick fact: Vietnamese coffee is usually made from Robusta beans. This type of bean is stronger than Arabica and contains about twice the amount of caffeine. It is quite bitter when enjoyed dark, but once combined with sweet condensed milk, it becomes delicious and perfectly balanced!

Also, be aware that once you add the crushed ice, the coffee will lose a bit of sweetness.

🧋 More Vietnamese-Inspired Drinks

• Peach, Orange, and Lemongrass Iced Tea
• Popped Brown Rice Milk
• Taro Milk Tea
• Black Sesame Cashew Milk

Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!