Vietnamese iced coffee relies on concentrated coffee and sweetened condensed milk. The phin filter produces a slow, strong brew that can stand up to both milk and ice.
Ingredients
- 18-22 g medium-coarse dark-roast coffee
- 80-100 ml (2.7-3.4 oz) water just off the boil
- 20-30 g (about 1-1.5 tbsp) sweetened condensed milk
- A full glass of ice
Tools
- Vietnamese phin filter
- Heat-safe glass
- Spoon and serving glass
Method
- Add condensed milk to the serving glass.
- Place coffee in the phin and level it without hard tamping.
- Bloom with 15-20 ml hot water for 30 seconds.
- Add the remaining water and cover; aim for a 4-7 minute drip.
- Stir the brewed coffee with condensed milk and pour over ice.
The ratio is more important than maximum darkness
The coffee must be concentrated enough for condensed milk and ice, but excessive bitterness does not make it more authentic. Start with a strong dark roast and adjust the milk before changing several variables.
Control the drip with grind, not force
Pressing the coffee hard can stop the flow. Level the bed gently. If the drip finishes in under three minutes, grind finer; if it stalls, grind coarser or reduce compression.
Add ice only after the coffee is balanced
Stir the hot coffee and condensed milk first. Taste the concentrated mixture, then pour it over a full glass of ice so dilution is predictable.
What goes wrong and how to fix it
- Drips too fast: the grind is too coarse or the press is too loose. Grind slightly finer.
- Barely drips: the grind is too fine or the coffee was compressed. Loosen the bed.
- Too sweet: reduce condensed milk before increasing coffee.
- Weak after ice: use enough coffee and keep brew water below 100 ml.
Substitutions
- No phin: use concentrated moka coffee, then mix with condensed milk.
- No condensed milk: mix evaporated milk with sugar, though the texture will be lighter.
- Want it hot: omit the ice and use slightly more brew water.
Cost, time, and difficulty
About US$0.75-2 per serving after buying a reusable phin.
FAQ
What grind should I use for a phin?
Start around medium-coarse, finer than French press but coarser than espresso.
How long should a phin take to drip?
About 4-7 minutes is a useful home target, but the result matters more than an exact time.
Can I make Vietnamese coffee without a phin?
Yes. Concentrated moka coffee is the closest simple substitute.
Why is Vietnamese coffee so strong?
The small amount of water, dark coffee, and slow metal-filter brew create a concentrated cup.