Vietnamese cold-brew coffee is a refreshing drink made of three ingredients. It has a rich, deep aroma of coarsely ground robusta coffee beans. The cold-brew method creates a smooth, low-acidic taste and bold flavor. The sweetness from condensed milk transforms the dark brew into a creamy, velvety treat.
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Cold-brew coffee steeps for 12 to 24 hours while refrigerated, depending on how strong you like it. You must choose a good-quality coffee when making cold-brew coffee.
I enjoy Vietnamese cold brew in the morning or late afternoon; I avoid it in the evening since it will keep me awake. It’s amazing how you are met with a burst of bold coffee followed by the gentle, lingering sweetness of the milk. This cold-brewed coffee is perfect on those hot or warm days of the year.
Vietnamese Cold Brew 2 Ways
There are two methods for cold-brewing coffee. Using only room temperature water and blooming the coffee.
Using room-temperature water: In this method, you pour the amount of water mentioned in the recipe over the coffee, stir, and cover to steep in the fridge.
The blooming method: Blooming the coffee adds a bolder flavor. Divide the water into hot water at room temperature. First, pour the hot water over the coffee and keep it on the kitchen counter for a minute or two, then pour the room temperature water, stir, cover, and refrigerate.
Both methods give you smooth brewed coffee. However, the blooming makes the coffee a little stronger.
Why You’ll Love Cold Brew Vietnamese Coffee
- Rich, Bold Flavor: Cold brew Vietnamese coffee is made with robusta beans, which are known for their intense and strong flavor profile.
- Smooth and Low-Acidity: The cold brewing process reduces acidity, resulting in a smoother, less bitter coffee experience.
- Creamy and Sweet: The addition of condensed milk creates a delicious taste and velvety texture.
- Refreshing and Cooling: It's perfect for hot days or a refreshing pick-me-up.
- Long-Lasting and Convenient: Vietnamese style iced cold brew coffee can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Easy to prepare: Brewing Vietnamese coffee is straightforward, has simple instructions, and uses minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Coffee: Most people use Café Du Monde (Coffee and Chicory) to make cold brew coffee. Do not use instant coffee. It won’t work.
Water: Use room temperature water.
Sweetened condensed milk: There are flavored condensed milks on the market, but I always go with plain milk. You can get creative and use the one flavored with caramel.
How to Make Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee
Step 1
Add the coffee to a jar or a pitcher.
Step 2
Pour the room-temperature water over the coffee and stir.
Step 3
Cover and refrigerate the coffee for 12 to 24 hours.
Best Coffee to Cold Brew
Dark and medium roasts are perfect for cold brewing. The Vietnamese cold brew will be rich, bold, and nutty in flavor. On the other hand, light roast coffee will be more acidic and have a citrusy flavor that doesn’t go well in cold brewing.
Vietnamese coffee vs. Thai coffee
Both Vietnamese and Thai coffee are popular street beverages enjoyed by many. But they are different in flavor. Below is a table showing the differences between them.
| Iced Coffee | Coffee Used | Milk Used | Caffeine |
| Vietnamese Iced Coffee | Robusta beans mixed with Arabic beans | Sweetened condensed milk | High in caffeine |
| Thai Iced Coffee | Robusta beans mixed with soybean, corn, and sometimes cardamom | Sweetened condensed milk Regular milk Evaporated milk | Low in Caffeine |
Frequently Asked Questions
Vietnamese cold brew uses robusta coffee beans, known for their strong and bold flavor, while regular cold brew often uses arabica beans for a smoother, more acidic profile.
Robusta coffee beans have more caffeine and a stronger, bitter flavor than arabica beans. This gives Vietnamese cold brew its unique, bold taste, which pairs well with the sweetened condensed milk.
Add vanilla or cinnamon for a deeper flavor. You can also mix condensed milk with coconut milk.
You can refrigerate the coffee without the addition of condensed milk for up to one week.
Other Drinks You'll Enjoy
Related Drinks
⭐ PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried Vietnamese cold brew and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below about your experience!
📖 Recipe
Vietnamese Cold Brew
Ingredients
- ½ cup coffee, dark roast is preferred. Do not use instant coffee.
- 1 ¾ cup room temperature water
- 4 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Mix the water with coffee In a jar or a pitcher. Cover and refrigerate overnight or for 12 hours.
- Place a coffee filter in a strainer and strain the cold brewed coffee.
- In a large cup, add two tablespoons condensed milk for one serving.
- Pour the strained coffee over the condensed milk, add a few ice cubes, mix well, and enjoy.
Notes
- If you want a stronger coffee flavor, try the blooming method. Divide the water in half. Boil one half and let it cool for 3 minutes, then pour it over the coffee. Stir and let the coffee bloom for a minute. Then pour the room-temperature water over it, mix, and refrigerate.
- Use high-quality robusta coffee.
- You can increase or reduce the amount of condensed milk, it is all about what you prefer.
- Mix coconut milk with condensed milk to have a hint of tropical flavor in your Vietnamese iced coffee.
- Do not store the coffee after adding the condensed milk to it.
- To enjoy hot or warm Vietnamese coffee, heat the cold brewed coffee, pour it over the condensed milk and skip the ice cubes.
James
I have really enjoyed the recipes from your blog. My question, What makes Vietnamese Coffee. Is it coffee from the country or is it the way it is flavored.
munatycooking
Hi James, I'm glad you liked my recipes. Vietnamese iced coffee is similar to any iced coffee except they use condensed milk and filtered coffee. I just made it a little different by using cold brewed coffee 🙂
Amber Myers
This does look refreshing. I wish I liked coffee! I know tons of people would love this though.
munatycooking
I rarely meet people who are not fond of coffee, However, if you are making it for your family or friends, I'm sure they will love it.
robin rue
That sounds amazing. I would love to try this and then make it every day after that 🙂
GiGi Eats
Ice cold coffee - MMMMM! This girl loves herself some of THAT! 🙂
Jay Colby
I love ice coffee. This sounds like an great recipe.
Akamatra
I gave up coffee years ago but I can still remember how refreshing ice coffee was. I would make this for my friends.
Claudia Krusch
Vietnamese Cold Brewed Iced Coffee looks so delicious. Ices coffee is my go to drink in the hot summer weather. I will have to give this a try.
Ana De- Jesus
I agree that the hardest part would definitely be to wait for the coffee to be ready. I like the sound of a cold brew!
interNATionalcaty
WoW! I never had Vietnamese coffee and I was in Vietnam last summer. Now I am bummed.
munatycooking
LOL! It happens, but the fact remains that this iced coffee is super delicious and I'm glad that it exist 🙂
Ali Rost
My husband is a huge fan of iced coffee. In fact, I bought him a Toddy for his birthday. I'll have to show him your recipe .. I know he'll enjoy the Vietnamese flavors x
munatycooking
I hope you both enjoy it 🙂
Jackie
This looks so yummy. I've been into iced coffee recently but never heard of this type. Also the wait must be so sweet once it is done since it seems like it takes a while.
munatycooking
Oh yes, it has a hint of sweetness.
Elizabeth O.
I've heard a lot of good things about Vietnamese coffee but I have not tried it myself. This sounds amazing. I can definitely make my own at home!
munatycooking
The best part is, it's so much low in acidity and tastes sweet!
Rosey
I just made hot coffee. This post makes me wish I'd have gone cold brewed instead.
munatycooking
🙂
Anosa
I was not able to taste the local Vietnamese coffee, only their signature tea and I loved it! I guess this is the time to experience the cold brewed one.
munatycooking
I never tasted Vietnamese tea and I think it is going to be my next project!
Pammy
Great recipe there you've shared! A must-try!
Pammy - joyfulsource.com
Jacqui Odell
I am not a huge fan of coffee, but the coffee I have tried and didn't mind drinking was cold. I will have to try this one.
Cynthia Nicoletti
Ihave never tried Vietnamese tea or coffee sounds good.
CourtneyLynne
Ooooo yummy!!!! I just love Iceed coffee! I will have to give this a try!
Megan
I still can't get into cold brewed coffee! I've tried! I'd try this though, always try something once!
MJ
Ice coffee is perfect for summer! One of my go to refreshing drinks on a hot day.
XO, MJ