An overflowing jar of dark roasted coffee beans sits on a wooden tray.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

5 minutes can be all you need to make a glass of flavorful Vietnamese Iced Coffee… if you use a few easy tips and tricks!

An overflowing jar of dark roasted coffee beans sits on a wooden tray.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Ca-phe-sua-da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) mixes the best of all worlds – strong, sweet, dark coffee mixed with the perfect amount of thick and creamy condensed milk… resulting in the perfect drink to help you make it through the rest of the day – or to quietly sip while contemplating life.

A clear glass with handle sits on a wooden table. The cup is full of Vietnamese Iced Coffee (dark coffee on the top slowly mixing with the condensed milk on the bottom) and ice cubes.

All I needed was five minutes. Just five minutes of peace and solitude.

I was running around all day, ticking off each item on my to-do list, and by late afternoon, all I could think of was sitting down by myself. Have you ever had those days? Those hairy days when you rise at dawn and go non-stop? That was me, and to make matters worse, I was feeling the effects of not indulging in my afternoon coffee.

So when I found my five minutes, I seized it.

An overflowing jar of dark roasted coffee beans sits on a wooden tray.
A jar filled with condensed milk with a spoon handle resting on the lip. A small plate and another spoon sit nearby.

I looked in the depths of my cupboard and found it. A can, filled with bliss. My love affair with condensed milk started at a young age, and I resisted every temptation to lick the lid as I opened it to reveal the creamy sweetness within. I was making myself a Vietnamese Iced Cofeee.

With just a few minutes to spare, and without the traditional metal filter (phin) used in steeping the dark rich coffee grounds, I let my coffee maker do the work. Traditionalists will surely gasp, but I have a few short cuts that work. I cheat by letting my smart coffee maker grind the beans and steep at its highest setting for maximum richness. And I take a little extra precaution. Reaching into the freezer, I pulled out a tray of coffee ice cubes.

A glass filled with coffee ice cubes sits on a table with a jar of coffee beans in the background.

I have learned that rather than filling my cup with regular ice cubes (as seen above), my iced coffee becomes even more full flavored when I pour in a cascade of chestnut hued coffee ice cubes. As they melt, swirls of deep coffee flavor add to my drink, making it more robust. I may be cheating a bit, but if it means a cool glass of bliss in five minutes, then it works for me.

A freshly stirred glass of Vietnamese Iced Coffee.

Resources on making authentic Vietnamese Iced Coffee

To learn how to make Vietnamese Iced Coffee easily using a traditional metal filter and resources for coffee, refer to these Vietnamese Iced Coffee Tips by Andrea Nguyen and these instructions by Bon Appetit.

More Coffee Adventures

Dalgona Coffee with Boba
Homemade Thai Iced Coffee
Horchata Cold Brew Latte

Recipes for Vietnamese Main Courses

Vietnamese-style Grilled Pork Chops
Slow Cooker Bánh Mì Vietnamese Sandwich
Shaking Beef Vietnamese Stir Fry

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

Ca-phe-sua-da (Vietnamese Iced Coffee) mixes the best of all worlds – strong, sweet, dark coffee mixed with the perfect amount of thick and creamy condensed milk… resulting in the perfect drink to help you make it through the rest of the day – or to quietly sip while contemplating life. These tips help you to make this drink in just minutes!
Course Beverages, Drinks
Cuisine Vietnamese
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 120kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons dark French roast coffee ground (use the richest you can find)
  • 6 oz boiling water
  • 2-3 tablespoons condensed milk I use low-fat for less guilt
  • 1 cup coffee ice cubes*

Instructions

  • If you have the option to control your coffee maker's steeping methods, select the strongest, darkest brew.
  • Steep your coffee in hot boiling water for about 4 minutes, then pour the filtered coffee into a glass.
  • Stir in the condensed milk, then fill the glass with coffee ice cubes. Enjoy!

Notes

* I like to make my coffee ice cubes by pouring any extra brewed coffee into ice cube trays. Having a stash in the freezer means quick and delicious iced coffee all summer long!
The size of grounds depends on your method of brewing. If you’re using a coffee maker, use the fine grind. If using a French Press, use a coarser grind.
Recipes referred: 
Vietnamese Iced Coffee Tips, Viet World Kitchen by Andrea Nguyen
Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Bon Appetit
Perfect Iced Coffee, Pioneer Woman

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 49mg | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Calcium: 105mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see! Tag @kitchconfidante on Instagram and hashtag it #kitchenconfidante

Comments

Recipe Rating




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  1. Nina

    Hi! I’m excited to try your recipe! But, I’d like to know the size of the grounds to use? Can I use fine and/or espresso grind?

    Reply
    • Liren Baker

      Hi Nina, the size of grounds really depends on your method of brewing. If you’re using a coffee maker, you can use the fine grind, and if using a French Press, use a coarser grind. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  2. Sarah

    Wow liking the photos! I love my Vietnamese iced coffee. I recently discovered Silk makes a soy creamer and the vanilla is awesome. Definitely a favorite treat for me! I had featured U in the post of Beat The Summer Heat With These 7 Homemade Iced Coffee on AllFreshRecipes, if u have any other Eats want to be featured. tell me, please.

    Reply
  3. Patty

    i love that afternoon coffee, it’s a time to recharge and regroup for the rest of the day!
    Lovely photos of your coffee creation;-)

    Reply
  4. Jen Laceda @ Tartine and Apron Strings

    Smart move on the coffee ice cubes! I lived on these coffee when we went to Vietnam many moons ago (in fact, that was the year SARS or avian flu struck!). Needless to say, I had to be quarantined when I got back to Canada. So, I have many wonderful memories of Vietnamese Iced Coffee…LOL!

    Reply
  5. Monet

    Isn’t it amazing that it is often only five minutes that we need…five minutes to reconnect, to unwind, to take deep, cleansing breaths. This looks delicious. An iced coffee can cure most ills in my mind. Thank you for your words, your encouragement, and your prayers. I hope you are having a restful and peaceful Saturday. Love and hugs!

    Reply
  6. Norma-Platanos, Mangoes and Me!

    I can surely use a glass of that wonderful coffee….

    Reply
  7. sippitysup

    The Ravenous Couple gave me the traditional metal filter (phin) you spoke of which helped me achieve good results, but with this extra info I am ready for perfection. GREG

    Reply
  8. Jennifer (Delicieux)

    I was similarly obsessed with condensed milk at a young age too. I’m not sure I’d have your will power to resist licking the lid. I’ve never heard of an iced coffee with condensed milk, but it makes me wished I liked coffee! Gorgeous images as always Liren.

    Reply
  9. ray

    I can relate on what you are going through. Yes, life could be very hectic most of the time but . . . it is what it is. Ice cubed coffee is a brilliant idea and your photography is amazingly beautiful.

    Reply
  10. Holly

    I’ve never had this but it looks like a great afternoon treat. I also love the idea of coffee ice cubes – I’m going try that with my left over coffee.

    Reply
  11. Mary

    Oh my, Liren! – I love these photos. Even for non iced coffee drinkers, these photos would entice them right into wanting to try this recipe.

    Reply
  12. Rikki

    I want an iced coffee so bad now. This looks beyond incredible. And I love how you use the coffee ice cubes so when they melt it adds even more flavor. Perfection [:

    Reply
  13. Joy

    I completely understand how you feel. If I had the choice i would have condense milk with my coffee wveryday. Too bad my hips wouldnt like it too much.

    Reply
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