🥛☕ Cà Phê Sữa Đá – Vietnam’s Bold & Sweet Iced Coffee
If you've ever walked the busy streets of Saigon or Hanoi, you've probably seen locals sitting on low stools, sipping a dark, icy drink with a creamy swirl at the bottom. That iconic drink is Cà Phê Sữa Đá — Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk — and it's a must-try for any coffee lover.
🧡 What Is Cà Phê Sữa Đá?
Cà Phê Sữa Đá literally means “iced milk coffee.”
It’s made with strong Vietnamese coffee, brewed slowly through a phin filter, and poured over a layer of sweetened condensed milk and ice.
This drink is:
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Strong (thanks to bold Robusta beans)
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Sweet and creamy
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Perfectly refreshing
It’s the heart of Vietnamese coffee culture — a drink that’s as much about ritual as it is about flavor.
🧋 How to Make Cà Phê Sữa Đá at Home
✨ Ingredients:
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25g Vietnamese ground coffee (preferably Robusta or a dark blend)
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2–3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
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Boiling water
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Ice cubes
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A phin filter (traditional Vietnamese metal drip brewer)
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A heatproof glass or cup
🔧 Instructions:
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Add condensed milk
Pour 2–3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of your glass. -
Assemble the phin filter
Place the filter over the glass. Add the coffee grounds, gently press with the filter insert. -
Bloom the coffee
Pour about 20ml of boiling water to moisten the coffee. Wait ~30 seconds. -
Start brewing
Fill the filter with 100ml of boiling water. Cover and let it drip for 4–5 minutes. -
Stir and pour over ice
Once the coffee has finished dripping, stir to mix with the condensed milk. Then pour the whole mixture over a tall glass full of ice. -
Enjoy!
Stir well and sip slowly. The layers of bold coffee and sweet milk create a balanced, refreshing drink like no other.
☕ Pro Tips:
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Use Cocochine or your own roasted beans for authenticity.
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Adjust the condensed milk to your sweetness preference.
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No phin filter? You can use a French press or strong espresso shot in a pinch, but the phin gives it that classic texture and drip.
✈️ Taste Vietnam Anywhere
Cà Phê Sữa Đá is more than just a coffee — it’s a taste of Vietnamese culture in a glass. Whether you enjoy it at a local café or brew it at home, it’s a moment to slow down, sip, and savor.