Vietnam is famous for its strong and flavorful iced coffee, which helps you stay alert for longer periods. If you haven’t tried Vietnamese iced coffee yet, it’s certain that you haven’t experienced true coffee culture. Let’s learn how to make it right and find out where you should enjoy it.
1. What is Vietnamese iced coffee?
Vietnamese iced coffee is a drink that can be consumed to quench thirst or for a morning boost when you need some extra energy. The coffee is brewed from freshly ground traditional coffee beans, with Robusta beans being the most popular in Vietnam. Robusta is the coffee variety that is grown and consumed the most in Vietnam, and it’s typically brewed using a traditional “phin” filter to enjoy the sound of coffee dripping and the rich, lingering taste. After brewing, sweetened condensed milk is often added for a creamy texture, and ice is added for those who prefer it cold.
Depending on personal taste, Vietnamese iced coffee can be served in its original form or with different flavors to enhance variety. Popular variations include: sweetened condensed milk iced coffee, almond iced coffee, soy milk iced coffee, oat milk iced coffee, fresh milk iced coffee, and pure phin-brewed iced coffee. What makes it special is that the coffee base should be of high quality when brewed. If you choose to make it at home, it’s best to buy ground coffee from Vietnam, as the country is one of the largest and most fertile coffee-growing nations.
2. How to Make Classic Vietnamese Iced Coffee?
The recipe can be customized based on your taste preferences. You can add flavors like milk or coconut cream to make the drink even more special. Below are the steps to make Vietnamese iced coffee.
2.1 How to Brew Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Ground Coffee?
Prepare the following ingredients and tools:
- Ground coffee: 25g (2-3 tablespoons)
- Sweetened condensed milk: 2-3 teaspoons (1 part condensed milk to 1 part coffee)
- Hot water: 100 ml
- Ice cubes
- Coffee filter
- Coffee mug
- Spoon
Steps for Brewing Vietnamese Iced Coffee at Home:
- Clean all your tools.
- Add the appropriate amount of sweetened condensed milk or fresh milk into your coffee mug.
- Place 2-3 tablespoons of ground coffee into the coffee filter, depending on your taste preference. Pour hot water (around 93-95°C) over the coffee filter. You can place a bit of hot water on the filter lid to help the coffee absorb heat evenly. This ensures a richer flavor.
- After 1-2 minutes, pour more hot water until the filter almost reaches the rim and close the lid.
- While waiting for the coffee to drip into the cup, you can listen to music, watch a movie, or read a book. Wait for 3-5 minutes until the water soaks through the coffee grounds and drips into the mug. Stir the coffee and condensed milk well.
- You can choose to enjoy it hot or pour the coffee into a glass filled with ice for a refreshing cold drink.
2.2 How to Make Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee?
Prepare the following ingredients and tools:
- Instant coffee: 1 packet or 2 packets if you prefer a stronger flavor.
- Unsweetened fresh milk: 150 ml
- Sweetened condensed milk: 10 ml (optional)
- Hot water: 160 ml
- Sugar (optional)
- Cocoa powder or cinnamon (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Coffee filter
- Coffee mug
- Spoon
Steps for Making Vietnamese Iced Coffee with Instant Coffee:
- Pour the instant coffee into your mug. You can choose from popular Vietnamese instant coffee brands such as Trung Nguyên G7, King Coffee, MacCoffee, Vincafe, Nescafe, etc.
- Slowly pour hot water (about 90°C) into the cup. Stir with a spoon until the coffee dissolves and forms small bubbles on the edge of the cup.
- Add fresh milk, sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, or cinnamon according to your taste preferences. Stir the coffee mixture well.
- Add ice cubes to enjoy a rich, refreshing drink in the Vietnamese style.
2.3 How to Make Vietnamese Coconut Iced Coffee?
Vietnamese iced coffee with coconut milk is a local specialty, combining the creamy richness of coconut milk with the refreshing, aromatic taste of pure coffee beans.
Prepare the following ingredients and tools:
- Vietnamese coffee
- Coconut milk: Choose canned coconut milk for a richer, more authentic flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Hot water
- Ice
- Vietnamese coffee filter
- High-powered blender
- Coffee mug
Steps for Making Vietnamese Coconut Iced Coffee:
- Brew the Vietnamese coffee and let it cool.
- Mix the sweetened condensed milk, coconut milk, and hot water. Stir until combined. If the mixture thickens or clumps, warm it in the microwave for 10-20 seconds.
- Pour the coconut mixture into a blender and add ice. Blend until smooth and snow-like.
- Pour the coconut mixture into a chilled cup and pour the cooled coffee on top.
- Enjoy your homemade coconut iced coffee.
2.4 How to Make Vietnamese Salted Iced Coffee?
Prepare the following ingredients:
- Ground coffee: 3 tablespoons
- Sweetened condensed milk: 25 ml
- Salt: 1/2 tablespoon
- Ice cubes
Steps for Making Vietnamese Salted Iced Coffee:
- Add 3 tablespoons of ground coffee and 1/2 tablespoon of salt into a mug and mix well.
- Place the coffee-salt mixture into the coffee filter, gently shake it, and press the filter lid down.
- Slowly pour 20 ml of hot water into the coffee filter.
- Pour 25 ml of sweetened condensed milk into another cup, place the coffee filter over the rim, and add 50 ml of more hot water.
- Close the filter lid and wait for the coffee to drip until the amount of coffee matches the amount of condensed milk.
- Stir the coffee and condensed milk mixture. You can enhance the flavor by adding a few ice cubes, highlighting the unique combination of bitter coffee, salty taste, and the creamy richness of condensed milk.
In addition to Vietnamese iced coffee, there are other delicious the best Vietnamese coffee types worth trying, such as egg coffee, mint coffee, banana milk coffee, and passion fruit coffee.
3. Interesting Facts About Vietnamese Iced Coffee
If you’re conscious about your weight or following a healthy diet, you should know that a typical glass of Vietnamese iced coffee contains about 95 calories, and with added milk, it can have over 125 calories. However, the best experience is to enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee in Vietnam itself to taste its authentic flavor.
3.1 How Many Calories Does Vietnamese Iced Coffee Have?
Vietnamese iced coffee is typically either black iced coffee or iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. The calorie content varies depending on the type. Black iced coffee has about 2-5 calories, iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk contains about 100-150 calories, iced coffee with fresh milk contains around 50-80 calories, and iced coffee with cream can have about 150-200 calories.
For those who love coffee and need a caffeine boost to stay alert and energized, Vietnamese coffee is the perfect choice. You can enjoy ready-to-brew instant coffee from famous brands like G7, King Coffee, MacCoffee, Vincafe, Nescafe.
3.2 Where Should You Enjoy Vietnamese Iced Coffee?
I recommend you travel to Vietnam and visit famous regions to experience the best coffee flavors. Brewing it at home or drinking it at a local café can make a big difference in how you perceive the taste.
Some cities you can’t miss include:
- Hanoi: Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam, rich in beautiful traditional culture. The people of Hanoi are gentle, polite, and friendly to tourists.
- Ho Chi Minh City: The most vibrant city in Vietnam, full of entertainment programs and places for young people to hang out.
- Da Nang: Known as the most livable city with fresh air, simple people, and a peaceful life. You can enjoy Vietnamese iced coffee on the fine sandy beaches of Da Nang.
- Phu Quoc: Sip your coffee while watching the sunset at Dinh Cậu in Phu Quoc. Everything will feel more romantic, and the taste will be even more memorable.
Conclusion
Vietnamese iced coffee includes black iced coffee, iced coffee with condensed milk, coconut iced coffee, salted iced coffee, almond iced coffee, and more. There are many varieties, but you must truly enjoy them in Vietnam — at a modern café in any city, with friends, your partner, or family. Memories are the most valuable, and the flavor is unforgettable.
Follow us for the latest and greatest news: