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An irresistible balance of strong and sweet, Vietnamese iced coffee has become the sip of the moment. But the best thing about it is how easy it is to make at home!

If you haven’t already heard about this exotic twist on a long black, put aside your almond milk lattes for a moment, because Vietnamese iced coffee is definitely worth your attention. Packed with robust flavour, it’s all about slow drip vibes with a generous splash of sweetened condensed milk.

Vietnamese iced coffee on a bench.
Yes please! Image: Canva

The Phin

The key to a classic Vietnamese iced coffee is the phin, which is a small metal coffee filter designed to sit on top of your glass. It’s brilliant because it eliminates the need for bulky coffee makers, and you can make just enough for one person. Love that.

The coffee does take a little while to drip through, but that’s kind of the point. This is not just a drink, it’s a ritual. And judging by its presence on TikTok, we’re not the only ones who think so.

Vietnamese phin coffee maker.
The phin is the kitchen gadget you didn’t know you needed. Image: Canva

How to make a Vietnamese Iced Coffee

One video doing the rounds comes from Melbourne-based coffee guru, Golden Brown Coffee, who shows exactly how to get it right. In just under a minute, he steps us through the process and shows just how simple it is.

He says to start by adding about one tablespoon of condensed milk to your cup. Of course, if you’re a sweet tooth, go ahead and be liberal with this! Next, place the filter’s brew chamber on top of the mug and add two tablespoons of dark roasted ground coffee to it.

Vietnamese iced coffee with a phin.
Regular condensed milk is the key to this favourite sip. Image: Canva

Press the filter component onto the ground coffee and add a little bit of hot water to cover it. Now you want to let the coffee sit for about 30 seconds. (Side note: this step is known as “blooming” the coffee, which allows carbon dioxide to escape so that water can penetrate the coffee better. It’s all about flavour!)

Next, it’s time to top up the phin with hot water and let it drip. Once it’s done filtering, it needs a good stir so that the condensed milk is combined, then pour it straight over ice.

Watch the full video below.

It’s no surprise that this humble little drink is winning hearts in Australia. It’s easy, affordable, and has that perfect mix of flavour and fun.

And with more people looking to elevate their at-home coffee game, the phin has become the next must-have gadget for kitchen benchtops. If you love coffee, go grab yourself one!


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Does this level up with your favourite type of iced coffee? Leave us a comment!


Comments
  • I’ve not tried this before. I have a local Vietnamese restaurant that I frequent, but I’ve never been game enough to try the coffee. I think that the sweetened condensed milk might make it sickeningly sweet? Or perhaps I can ask for less? I do love the taste of it. I use to put it in my tea when I was a kid with the leftover condensed milk from mums cheesecake.


  • I discovered Vietnamese Coffee one night when I was at a club with my husband. I had never heard of it before. We tried it and fell in love with this sweet and robust coffee. We occasionally make it at home and even my teenagers love it. After all, who doesn’t love condensed milk?


  • I haven’t heard of a Vietnamese coffee before. Although the sound of adding sweet condensed milk to a coffee doesn’t appeal to me at all, I do like the sound of this phin. In fact I would love to have one ! I also wonder if you could replace the normal coffe with decaf coffee


  • I do enjoy a nice iced coffee. I’ll have to keep my eyes peeled for some of this


  • I think this could convert me to an iced coffee drinker.
    With the condensed milk to add a touch of sweet to the fresh brewed coffee I can see why people will be going crazy for this style.
    Also love how you can make just one small portion less waste!


  • I’ve never heard of this before and may be tempted to try it. I don’t have sugar in my coffee but I am a dessert lover and condensed milk was a favourite as a child. I might just give this a go. I think I’ll try it when I am out somewhere that will make it for me.


  • I’m a filter or batch brew coffee person so I’m not too sure I can have this daily. Sounds appealing for those who was a robust tasting coffee with added sweetness though. With premium beans and a good technique, I just don’t believe you need need any addition to coffee. This may be good for those on budget beans to mask some of the harshness, or those who would like a ‘dessert style coffee’.


  • I’ve not heard of this before, certainly not tried it. But it looks so interesting and elegant.
    Going to go and look it up right now to buy one. It can be dripping away at my desk while I wait for it, and I get to enjoy the amazing aroma of coffee.


  • Had this a few years back when in Vietnam and it was definitely unique! Probably a bit much for me, I’m more of a black coffee guy, but I can really see the appeal for some people. Have seen a few around here in Melbourne actually quite recentl, good it is getting some exposure


  • I’m not really a fan of sweet coffee, so I don’t think this will become my regular morning drink. On a super hot day in Summer when you need a bit of a sugar fix, it would probably do the trick.

    Once the weather starts to warm up again, I’ll have to give it a go.


  • I’m hoping I can try this at a local cafe.


  • I have not heard of this type of iced coffee before. I am intrigued, it looks really interesting and something I would totally love to try. I will have to find out where I can try this as it is not something I have come across or heard other people speak about.


  • Oh yum! I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I’d love to try one of these


  • This is new to me and I can see the appeal. It would be great in summer with the ice.


  • I saw this on the menu at my local coffee shop recently and wondered how it would be different to standard coffee. I will definitely be trying it. I can also see potential for a great desert with lightly frozen condensed milk and the coffee poured over. I am interested to try the coffee black as well.


  • This is the first I have heard about this, but it sounds genius! I love condensed milk at the best of times and I think the flavour of that would be enough to remove a lot of the bitterness from the coffee.I don’t normally love coffee, but I’d be willing to give this a try!


  • I absolutely love Vietnamese iced coffee, it’s so tasty! Sweet and strong and the traditional method to serve it is so much fun! My husband and I get Pho from a cafe that does the best Vietnamese iced coffee even if Its late in the day I just have to have a cup!


  • I absolutely love Vietnamese iced coffee, it’s such a treat! The sweetness from the condensed milk perfectly compliments the dark coffee. It’s definitely worth the extra few dollars compared to other coffee when you find it. There are some lovely Vietnamese bakeries in Brissie where you can get the best banh mi and iced coffee! Perfect combo


  • Oh wow, I loved watching the video too! I haven’t ever had a Vietnamese Iced Coffee, it sounds quite decadent really. I am not sure they would be fore everyone, but definitely worth a try. I also havent ever used this method of making coffee before, but I love the tip of blooming the coffee.


  • He did this wonderfully in the video! We have two of these at home that we use as well and the most important step is letting the coffee ‘bloom’ before pouring the remaining water in. Definitely enhances the overall taste of the coffee when done well. But beware, if you’re not used to Vietnamese coffee, you’ll be buzzing after one! They can be known to be quite strong.


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