Vietnamese Coffee With Evaporated Milk Recipe

Want to make Vietnamese coffee but don’t want to use condensed milk. Vietnamese coffee with evaporated milk is a perfect solution for you. You will still get a smooth and creamy cup of coffee while reducing calories and making it less sweet.

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How to make Vietnamese coffee with evaporated milk?

Traditional Vietnamese coffee is typically made using a metal drip filter (phin), robusta coffee beans, and sweetened condensed milk. Here, we’ll modify it slightly to use evaporated milk.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of Vietnamese coffee grounds (Make sure to use Robusta beans)
• Hot water (near boiling)
• 2-3 tablespoons of evaporated milk (adjust to taste)
• Sugar or sweetener of choice (optional)
• Ice cubes (if you want to make it iced)

Equipment:

• Vietnamese coffee filter (phin)
• Glass or cup
• Spoon

Instructions:

1. Add evaporated milk

• Add 2-3 tablespoons of evaporated milk into a cup of glass. 

2. Prepare the coffee filter:

• Place 2 tablespoons of medium-ground coffee into the Vietnamese coffee filter (phin).
• If your phin filter has a screw-down insert, tighten it down onto the coffee to compact the grounds.

3. Brew the coffee:

•  Pour a small amount of hot water over the coffee grounds to pre-wet them and wait for about 30 seconds. This allows the coffee grounds to bloom.
• Slowly pour more hot water up to the top of the phin filter and place the lid on. Allow the coffee to drip through the filter and into your glass or cup. This process may take a few minutes.

4. Mix and serve

• Once the coffee has finished dripping, stir until it is well-mixed.

Pro tip: For an iced version, let the coffee cool for a moment, then pour it over a glass full of ice cubes.

What is the difference between evaporated milk and sweet condensed milk?

Evaporated milk is made by removing about 60% of water from regular milk, resulting in a thicker and creamier texture. It has a slightly caramelized flavor, which adds a delightful hint of richness to your beverage. 

On the other hand, sweet condensed milk is made by adding sugar to regular milk and then evaporating most of the water content. This creates a thick and sweet syrup-like consistency that is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

If you prefer a creamier and slightly caramelized taste, then go for evaporated milk. On the flip side, if you crave a sweeter and more indulgent coffee experience, sweet condensed milk is your go-to.

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Is evaporated milk used in Vietnamese coffee?

No, traditionally condensed milk is added to Vietnamese coffee. However, for many reasons like dietary restrictions, availability, or even taste preference, many people will use evaporated milk instead of condensed milk.  

Final thoughts

Evaporated milk can be a caloric-friendly alternative to sweet condensed milk, which makes it a great option if you are cutting down on sugar or you simply want your coffee to have a smooth and creamy texture, but not all that sweetness.