Vietnamese · Drinks

Cà Phê Sữa Đá

Dark roast coffee dripped slowly through a phin filter onto sweetened condensed milk, then poured over ice. Strong, sweet and thick enough to feel like a dessert.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 10 min total Serves 1 servings Easy
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Cà Phê Sữa Đá — Vietnamese drinks recipe, served and ready to eat

Photograph credit: Viet-coffee by Mike Verdone · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Method

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  1. Spoon the condensed milk into a heatproof glass. The amount is a matter of taste; three tablespoons is the Vietnamese standard.

  2. Add the ground coffee to the phin filter chamber and shake it level. Do not tamp it.

  3. Set the filter over the glass, place the press disc on top and screw it down until it is snug but not tight.

  4. Pour in 20 ml of the hot water and wait 40 seconds for the grounds to bloom and swell.

  5. Add the remaining water, put the lid on, and let it drip. It should take 4 to 5 minutes — if it runs through in under 2, the disc is too loose; if nothing drips, it is too tight.

  6. Once the dripping stops, remove the filter and stir the coffee and condensed milk together thoroughly until uniformly caramel-coloured.

  7. Fill a second tall glass with ice and pour the coffee over. Serve with a long spoon.

Chef’s Tips

  • A phin costs very little and there is no real substitute; a French press or moka pot are approximations.
  • For cà phê đen đá, black iced coffee, skip the milk and add a teaspoon of sugar instead.
  • Adjust the press disc, not the grind, to control the drip speed.

Pairing Suggestions

  • Serve after phở or bánh mì
  • A perfect mid-afternoon drink
  • Pairs well with anything sweet and coconut-based

Storage & Reheating

Make to order. The coffee concentrate can be brewed and refrigerated for 2 days, then mixed with milk and ice.

Common questions

How long does Cà Phê Sữa Đá take to make?

About 10 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 1.

What are the key tips for making Cà Phê Sữa Đá?

A phin costs very little and there is no real substitute; a French press or moka pot are approximations. For cà phê đen đá, black iced coffee, skip the milk and add a teaspoon of sugar instead. Adjust the press disc, not the grind, to control the drip speed.

What should I serve with Cà Phê Sữa Đá?

Serve after phở or bánh mì; A perfect mid-afternoon drink; Pairs well with anything sweet and coconut-based.

How should Cà Phê Sữa Đá be stored?

Make to order. The coffee concentrate can be brewed and refrigerated for 2 days, then mixed with milk and ice.

Is Cà Phê Sữa Đá suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Cà Phê Sữa Đá?

About 186 kcal per serving, with 4 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate and 5 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Nutritional Highlights

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

186Calories
4gProtein
30gCarbs
5gFat
0gFibre
30gSugar
60mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.