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.
Photograph credit: Viet-coffee by Mike Verdone · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Spoon the condensed milk into a heatproof glass. The amount is a matter of taste; three tablespoons is the Vietnamese standard.
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Add the ground coffee to the phin filter chamber and shake it level. Do not tamp it.
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Set the filter over the glass, place the press disc on top and screw it down until it is snug but not tight.
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Pour in 20 ml of the hot water and wait 40 seconds for the grounds to bloom and swell.
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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.
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Once the dripping stops, remove the filter and stir the coffee and condensed milk together thoroughly until uniformly caramel-coloured.
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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.
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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.