Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)
Local name: Cà phê sữa đá
In short: Dark, strong coffee dripped slowly through a small metal filter onto sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice for a bittersweet cold drink. It takes about 11 min in total and makes 1 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 6 min
- Total
- 11 min
- Servings
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 160 kcal
Cà phê sữa đá is the everyday iced coffee of Vietnam, sipped at sidewalk stools from morning to night. Dark-roast coffee, often with some robusta beans, is brewed drop by drop in a small metal filter called a phin, straight onto a layer of sweetened condensed milk. Stir, pour over ice and the result is strong, thick and sweet, with a slight chocolate bitterness. The slow drip takes about five minutes, which is part of the ritual.
Instructions
- Spoon the condensed milk into the bottom of a heatproof glass. Use the larger amount for a sweeter drink.
- Set the phin on top of the glass. Add the ground coffee, shake the filter gently to level it and rest the pressing disc on top without packing it down.
- Pour in a splash of hot water, about 20 ml (4 teaspoons), to wet the grounds. Wait 30 seconds so the coffee blooms.
- Fill the filter with the rest of the hot water, put on the lid and let it drip for 4 to 5 minutes. A steady drip of about one drop per second gives the best flavor.
- Remove the filter and stir until the milk dissolves into the coffee. Pour into a tall glass filled with ice and serve right away.
Tips
- No phin? Use a small cup of very strong espresso or a moka pot brew, and stir in the condensed milk while it is hot. Dark-roast beans give the closest flavor.
- If the coffee drips too fast, the grind is too coarse, and if it stops, the grind is too fine. For hot cà phê sữa nóng, skip the ice and drink it from the glass.
Questions and answers
What coffee is used for cà phê sữa đá?
Dark-roasted beans, often robusta or a robusta blend, which are strong and low in acidity. Any dark roast works well at home.
Can I make it without condensed milk?
You can use sugar and a splash of milk, but the thick, sweet taste comes from condensed milk. Start with 1 tablespoon if you want a less sweet drink and add more to taste.
Do I need a phin to make it?
A phin gives the classic slow, strong brew, and it costs very little. A moka pot or a small cup of espresso is the best substitute.
How long does it take to make Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)?
About 11 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 6 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Condensed Milk)?
About 160 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 4 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 160 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 27 g |
| Sodium | 60 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
