Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee (Recipe + Tips)

Decadent frappé or frappuccino is the best way to cool down during hot summer days now and then. But what if you just want a nice back-to-basics kind of coffee?

Why not try a Vietnamese cold brew coffee? Keep reading to learn more about how to make one.

How to Make Vietnamese Cold Brew

Vietnamese cold brew coffee is very similar to CA phe sua da recipe, and it incorporates sweetened condensed milk, uses dark roast coffee, and is an excellent treat during those hot summer days. But the similarities end there.

The Vietnamese recipe uses regular cold brew concentrate like this cold brew coffee with almond milk. Though the cold brew concentrate takes a while to make, it’s well worth the effort. Along with even more cold brew drink ideas, you can incorporate this deliciously smooth coffee concentrate into ice cream, popsicles, and baked goods.

Choosing Your Coffee Beans for Cold Brew Coffee

So, which coffee beans should you use for your cold-brew coffee concentrate? Well, that depends. Are you looking for a fruitier cold brew coffee or a smooth, chocolaty, and nutty cold brew?

If you’re looking for a sweet, chocolaty, and nutty cup, then a medium or dark roast from Central and South America is a good choice. There may even be notes of dried fruit, various types of chocolate, and toasted nuts in the aroma or palate.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a brighter, fruitier, or even floral cold brew coffee concentrate, then a light to medium roast from Africa will be your best choice.

Home Grounds uses a dark roast coffee for this recipe because we’re looking for a smooth chocolate cup with a medium to heavy body.

The Water Temperature for the Best Cold Brew Coffee

Despite its name, the best cold brew concentrate is made with room temperature water, between 68 and 74 degrees F.

And while there will be less complexity in the final cup than cold-brewed coffee—chilled filtered coffee—this room-temperature water will extract more flavors than a cold brew coffee brewed in the fridge.

So, let’s make some Vietnamese cold-brew coffee.

1. Brew Your Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate

In a large, 50-51-ounce French press, combine 1-½ cups of coarse ground dark roast coffee with 6 cups of room temperature water. Gently stir to ensure all the grounds are well-incorporated.

Then, place the plunger and lid on the French press without pressing down and let it sit on the counter for 16 hours.

2. Make Your Cold Brew Ice Cubes

After your cold brew is done, press the water through the grounds and decant into a large container or 50-ounce pitcher.

Then, pour the cold brew concentrate into a standard ice cube tray and chill overnight in the freezer.

3. Make Your Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee

Finally, it’s time to assemble your drink. Fill the bottom of a 16-ounce, tall glass with as many or as few cold brew coffee ice cubes as you prefer.

Then, fill the glass the rest of the way with equal parts water and cold brew coffee concentrate. Lastly, measure two tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and stir to combine.

Extra Notes

This refreshing cold brew drink is an excellent accompaniment to traditional Vietnamese desserts, like tau hu nuoc or banh trung thu (1).

Final Thoughts

This Vietnamese cold brew is the ultimate refresher for those hot summer days. Pair it with traditional Vietnamese desserts for the ultimate summertime or anytime treat.

Have you made this Vietnamese cold-brew coffee? Got a question about single-origin beans, coffee brewing methods, or a recipe to share? Drop us a comment below.