Cà Phê Sữa Đá Recipe | Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Cà Phê Sữa Đá
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
Strong Vietnamese Robusta, sweetened condensed milk, ice and a slow-drip Phin filter. No machine needed.
Cà phê sữa đá is traditional Vietnamese iced coffee made with strong Robusta coffee, sweetened condensed milk and ice. This guide shows you how to brew it at home with a Vietnamese Phin filter, without an espresso machine.
This is Saigon in a glass. Saigon Drip is bold, dark and full-bodied, so it cuts through condensed milk beautifully. The slow Phin drip creates a strong coffee concentrate that becomes creamy, cold and refreshing when poured over ice.
Start with the full ritual: one Phin filter, three coffees and an easy way to discover Vietnamese coffee at home.
Shop Starter KitWhat You Need
How to Brew
Build the Base
Spoon 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into your glass. Place the Phin filter directly on top of the glass. Do not stir yet. The coffee should drip onto the milk first.
Add the Coffee
Add 20g of Saigon Drip to the Phin chamber. Shake gently to level the coffee bed, then place the filter press on top. Press lightly. You want gentle resistance, not a tight seal.
Bloom First
Pour around 20ml of hot water over the coffee and wait 30 seconds. This helps the grounds open up and gives the final cup a richer, more balanced taste.
Let It Drip
Add the remaining 100ml of hot water slowly. Place the lid on top and let the coffee drip for 4 to 6 minutes. The slow drip is the ritual. Let it do its work.
Stir and Ice
Remove the Phin. Stir the hot coffee and condensed milk until smooth. Pour everything over a glass packed with ice and enjoy immediately.
The easiest way to start
If you are new to Vietnamese coffee, the Starter Kit gives you the Phin filter plus three 100g coffees to explore different PHIN KAFI flavours.
Brewing Tips
Press the filter screen slightly tighter or use a finer grind. A good Phin brew should take around 4 to 6 minutes.
Loosen the filter screen or use a slightly coarser grind. If nothing drips after 2 minutes, the press is probably too tight.
Increase the coffee dose to 25g. Robusta gives you a bold, high-caffeine cup that works well with milk and ice.
Use 1 teaspoon of sugar and a splash of whole milk. It is not the traditional version, but it works when you need a quick alternative.
FAQ
Cà phê sữa đá is Vietnamese iced coffee made with strong coffee, sweetened condensed milk and ice. It is usually brewed with a Vietnamese Phin filter.
Robusta coffee is the classic choice because it is bold, full-bodied and strong enough to balance the sweetness of condensed milk.
Yes, but the Phin filter gives the most traditional slow-drip experience. It also creates a concentrated brew that works especially well over ice.
A good Phin brew usually takes around 4 to 6 minutes. If it finishes much faster, the grind may be too coarse or the filter press too loose.