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Ingredients
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Coffee Base
Sweetened Condensed Milk
Assembly & Serving
Method
Coffee Base
- 1
Preheat and prepare phin
If using a Vietnamese phin filter, preheat it by placing the empty filter over your serving glass and pouring ~50 ml of boiling water through to warm glass and metal; discard rinse water.
- 2
Add condensed milk
Place 3 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk into the bottom of a 12-14 oz serving glass (the glass you will brew into).
- 3
Measure coffee into phin
Add 1/4 cup coarsely ground dark roast coffee into the phin chamber. If you prefer a hint of chicory like Café du Monde, replace up to 1 tablespoon of the coffee with chicory or use a preblended mix.
- 4
Bloom the grounds
Screw on the filter press lightly (do not tamp hard). Pour about 20-30 ml boiling water over the grounds to wet them evenly and let bloom for 20–30 seconds. This helps release flavor and prevents channeling.
- 5
Brew
After the bloom, fill the phin with boiling water up to the top (about 180–200 ml total). Place the lid on and allow coffee to drip slowly into the glass. Expect 4–6 minutes for a full, steady drip; a slower drip yields stronger extraction. If the drip is faster than 3 minutes, tighten the press slightly; if slower than 8 minutes, remove a bit of the grind or loosen the press.
Assembly & Serving
- 6
Mix condensed milk and brewed coffee
When the coffee has finished dripping, stir the brewed coffee and the sweetened condensed milk thoroughly until fully combined and smooth. Taste and adjust: add up to 1 tablespoon additional condensed milk if you prefer sweeter.
- 7
Add ice and optional milk
Fill a separate serving glass or the same glass (if brewed directly into it) with about 1 cup of ice. Pour the sweetened coffee over the ice. If you want a lighter texture, add 1 tablespoon whole milk or evaporated milk and stir once to combine.
- 8
Serve
Serve immediately with a long spoon or straw so the drink can be stirred before drinking. If preparing ahead, chill the brewed coffee (without ice) in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours and assemble over ice when ready.