How to Make Authentic Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Cà Phê Sữa Đá) at Home
Have you ever wondered why Vietnamese coffee tastes so much richer, darker, and more "chocolatey" than a standard espresso or drip coffee?
The secret isn’t just the sweetened condensed milk—it’s the bean itself.
At Artful Infusion, we are proud to serve and sell Vietnam’s most famous coffee export: Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend. Whether you visit us in Port Coquitlam or order online, here is how you can recreate that iconic café experience in your own kitchen.
What You Need
- The Coffee: 18g – 20g tablespoons of Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend (Available in our shop).
- The Sweetener: 1 oz of sweetened condensed milk (Available in our shop)..
- The Tool: A stainless steel Phin filter (The gravity drip is key!).
- The Water: Hot water, just off the boil (approx. 205°F / 96°C).
- Ice: Plenty of it!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Glass
Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of a heat-resistant glass. Adjust the amount based on your sweet tooth.
- Bloom the Coffee
Remove the top screen of your Phin filter. Add the Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend grounds. Shake the filter gently to level the coffee, then place the metal screen on top. Do not press down too hard, or the water won’t drip through!
- The First Pour (The Bloom)
Place the filter on top of your glass. Pour just a tiny amount of hot water (about 20ml) into the filter to dampen the grounds. Let it sit for 30 seconds. This allows the coffee to “bloom” and release carbon dioxide, ensuring a smooth flavor.
- The Main Drip
Fill the filter with hot water (about 45ml to 50ml) and cover it with the metal lid. Now, watch the magic happen. The coffee should drip slowly—about 1 drop per second. This slow extraction pulls out the bold, low-acid flavors that Trung Nguyen is famous for.
- Stir and Ice
Once the dripping stops, remove the filter. Stir the hot coffee and condensed milk together until the mixture is a beautiful caramel color. Pour over a tall glass of ice and enjoy!
Why We Choose Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend
Not all dark roasts are created equal. The Gourmet Blend (Red Box) is a curated mix of Arabica, Robusta, Chari, and Catimor beans. It is roasted using traditional methods that result in lower acidity and a heavy body that stands up perfectly to the sweetness of condensed milk.
Want to try it yourself?
You can pick up a 500g box of Trung Nguyen Gourmet Blend and Condensed milk right here at Artful Infusion in Port Coquitlam, or click here to order online.