How To Make Vietnamese Coffee With A French Press?

It is possible to make Vietnamese coffee with a French press, but you will have to make a few adjustments and creative solutions. If you don’t have a traditional phin drip maker, these step-by-step instructions will explain to you how to instead use your French press. 

How to make Vietnamese coffee with a French press guide

Here is how you can make Vietnamese coffee using a French press:

Ingredients:

• Coarsely ground dark roast coffee beans (Robusta beans are traditionally used. If you can’t find them, use Arabica beans then)
• Sweetened condensed milk (to taste, usually about 1-2 tablespoons per cup)
• Boiling water
• Ice (if you’re making an iced version)

Instructions:

1. Preparation: Start by boiling your water. While it’s boiling, move on to the next steps.

2. Add condensed milk: In the bottom of your coffee cup or glass, add 1-2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk. If you like your coffee sweeter, feel free to add more condensed milk.

3. Coffee: Add 2-3 tablespoons of your coarsely ground coffee beans to the French press.

4. Brewing: Once your water has boiled, let it sit for about 30 seconds to reduce its temperature slightly (you want it around 200°F or 93°C). Pour the hot water into the French press, covering the coffee grounds by an inch. Place the lid on the French press without pressing down and let the coffee steep for 4-5 minutes.

5. Press: After 4-5 minutes, slowly press down on the French press plunger.

6. Pour: Pour the brewed coffee over the sweetened condensed milk in your cup or glass. Stir well to mix the coffee and condensed milk.

7. Serve: If you’re making iced Vietnamese coffee, fill a glass with ice and pour the coffee and condensed milk mixture over the ice. If you’re making it hot, simply enjoy it after stirring!

💡 Looking for better alternatives? Discover the 5 best ways to make Vietnamese coffee without a phin coffee maker. 

Tips and tricks on making Vietnamese coffee in a French press

Here are a few expert tips that will help you to make a perfect cup of Vietnamese coffee. 

Tip 1: Add condensed milk based on the beans you use

If you are going to use Arabica beans instead of Robusta coffee beans, consider using less sweetened condensed milk.

Arabica beans typically have a milder, smoother, and more aromatic flavor compared to the strong and somewhat more bitter profile of Robusta beans. Robusta’s bitterness can be counteracted by the sweetness of the condensed milk. 

To experience authentic Vietnamese coffee, I recommend that you get Robusta beans. I recommend Hanoi Peaberry Robusta with the hint of tobacco, prunes, and graham crackers. 

Tip 2: Watch out for the grind size

Vietnamese coffee is most often a medium grind. If you are using a French press, you will need a coarse grind. For this reason, don’t buy pre-grounded Vietnamese coffee if you are going to make it in a French press. 

A French press allows the coffee to steep directly in the water for an extended period of time, and a coarse grind prevents over-extraction, which can lead to bitterness.

Tip 3: Give it an extra detailed clean 

Both Arabica and Robusta beans will leave behind oils and tiny coffee particles in your French press. When switching between these coffee beans, make sure you give a detailed clean to your French press to remove any coffee oils or residue.

Coffee oils can accumulate over time and become rancid if not cleaned properly, potentially affecting the taste of subsequent brews.

In addition, fine coffee particles can get trapped in the mesh filter of your French press. Over time, this can cause a buildup and may impact the functionality of the press and the taste of your coffee.

Final thoughts

Even though you will need to put in some extra work, you can still make Vietnamese coffee with a French press. Just make sure you follow the instructions above and have 100% Robusta coffee beans for authentic taste.