Special & Unique Coffee Recipes: Vietnamese Iced Coffee, Turkish Coffee, Cold Brew, & Coffee Cocktails

Vietnamese Iced Coffee:  I'll never forget the first time I had Vietnamese iced coffee. It was in Washington, D.C., and the morning was already sweltering. Trudging along the sidewalk, I noticed a small Vietnamese restaurant with a single bistro table beckoning through the shining glass window. The smiling woman who greeted me didn't speak much English, but she was kind. "You want iced drink? Strong coffee?" She'd read my mind! "You try Vietnamese coffee," she stated. Clinking with ice, the tall glass she brought was filled with a thick, creamy brown concoction with a vanilla bean aroma as enticing as any upscale coffee shop. Tasting it, I nearly shed tears of joy. Really! I regret being unable to speak Vietnamese, but I think she saw how much I wanted to hug her.

You can create this delightful confection yourself, although it tastes best if a wonderful person can show you how:

Ingredients:

Here's what you'll need to make this delicious, iced drink:

• Ground Robusta coffee: Vietnamese coffee is traditionally made from Robusta beans because they thrive at lower elevations

• Sweetened condensed milk

• Ice cubes, not crushed ice

• Water just under the boiling point, 95-205 degrees Fahrenheit (90-96 degrees Celcius) to prevent bitterness

Tools:

• Phin filter: Stainless steel Vietnamese brewing tool--no paper, no waste. For the best taste, rinse in very hot water just before use

• Clear, thick, heat-resistant glass for brewing

• Tall glass filled with ice cubes to complete the ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee)

Directions:

To make a 4-ounce serving:

1. Put 1-3 of tablespoons (according to your taste) of sweetened condensed milk into a clear, thick glass.

2. Rinse the phin filter with hot water just before beginning the brewing process.

3. Using the manual pour-over method with the phin filter, pour some hot water over the grounds in a circular motion to let them "bloom" while the carbon dioxide gas fizzles. Wait 30-45 seconds for the process to let the grounds degas. Blooming will enhance the aroma and flavor.

4. Slowly pour the remaining 6 ounces of near-boiling water over the grounds.

5. Wait about five minutes, then stir.

6. Add the mixture to the tall glass filled with ice cubes.

7. Enjoy!

What Makes Vietnamese Iced Coffee Special

Ca phe sua da -- cà phê sữa đá  in Vietnamese -- is a sweet, strong coffee drink with flavor notes described by some as earthy, bold, malty, and oaky with notes of dark chocolate and hazelnut.

Vietnam is the world's second largest coffee producer and exporter, producing mostly Robusta beans. Robusta coffee contains less acid but almost twice the amount of caffeine that arabica beans contain.

French colonists introduced condensed milk to Vietnam in the 19th century, where it became popular since milk didn't remain fresh in the tropical heat.

Turkish Coffee: There’s something truly special about Turkish coffee. It’s not just a drink; it’s an experience. The rich flavor, the strong aroma, and the smooth, velvety texture make it stand out from other types of traditional coffee. With just a few tools and the right technique, you can brew a rich, authentic cup at home just like your favorite coffee shop.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup cold water (use the coffee cup you’ll be drinking from as a measuring guide)

2. 1 heaping teaspoon finely ground coffee (preferably Turkish grind)

3. 1/8 teaspoon sugar (optional, adjust to taste)

4. 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom (optional but recommended)

5. A small cezve (a long-handled pot designed for brewing Turkish coffee)

Preparation Method:

1. Measure the Water: Pour cold water into your cezve. Using cold water helps the coffee develop its signature foam.

2. Add Ground Coffee: Stir in one heaping teaspoon of finely ground coffee per cup of water. If you like sweet coffee, add sugar now—stir lightly but do not fully dissolve it.

3. Heat Slowly: Place the cezve over low heat. Turkish coffee requires patience—never rush the process with high heat. Let it warm gradually, allowing the coffee grounds to infuse the water with their strong coffee essence.

4. Watch for the Foam: As the coffee heats, a thick foam will form on top. Just before it starts to boil, remove the cezve from the heat. Spoon some of the foam into your coffee cup.

5. Return to Heat: Place the cezve back on the stove and let it heat again until foam rises a second time. Repeat this step once more for a deeper, richer flavor.

6. Pour and Serve: Slowly pour the coffee into the cup, ensuring the foam remains on top. Allow the coffee grounds to settle for a minute before sipping.

Tips for Serving and Enjoying:

1. Use Small Cups: Traditional Turkish coffee is served in small cups similar to espresso cups. It’s meant to be sipped slowly.

2. No Stirring Allowed: Once poured, do not stir! Let the coffee grounds settle at the bottom.

3. Pair with a Sweet Treat: Turkish coffee pairs beautifully with a piece of Turkish delight or a small square of dark chocolate.

4. Savor the Ritual: Turkish coffee isn’t meant to be rushed. Sit back, relax, and enjoy each sip while engaging in good conversation or quiet contemplation.

5. Fortune Telling Fun: For an added layer of tradition, once you finish, flip your cup upside down on the saucer, let the coffee grounds cool, and try to read your fortune!

Making Turkish coffee at home is a simple yet rewarding process. With just a cezve and finely ground coffee, you can enjoy the same rich flavor and strong coffee taste that you’d get at a café. Take your time, savor each sip, and embrace the tradition behind every cup.

Cold Brew Coffee: There's nothing quite as refreshing as a cold coffee during a hot summer day. I love the refreshing drink because it brings me the best of both worlds, the refreshing vigor of an icy cold beverage and a rejuvenating jolt of caffeine. Cold coffee, also known as "French pressed coffee," has been around for centuries. It takes longer to make than traditional coffee because it usually brews for up to 24 hours. While cold brew coffees may seem exotic, with a few simple ingredients and a basic set of kitchen tools, you can make it in the convenience of your own home.

Supplies
If you're going to make iced coffee at home, you'll need a few simple supplies. Of course you'll need coffee concentrate or coffee beans, but you'll also need the materials to brew the coffee. When brewing cold coffee, you can experiment on the ratio of coffee beans to cold water, but most people recommend eight grams of water for one gram of coffee. If you don't have a kitchen scale, remember that a gallon weighs about eight pounds, or 3600 grams. If you're going to brew a gallon of cold coffee and save some for later, you'll need about one pound of coffee. Before you start brewing, you'll also need:

• Freshly ground coffee

• Flavorings, such as vanilla or cinnamon

Choosing the Right Coffee
You can use your favorite type of ground coffee or coffee concentrate to make your cold brew. It's recommended to grind the coffee beans just before brewing so that your beans are as fresh as possible. When making cold coffee, the beans never steep in hot water, so the beverage has a slightly different taste profile and more caffeine. You'll probably note the drink's low acidity.

Immersion Cold Brew Coffee
The immersion method is the traditional way of brewing cold coffee. If you don't have a French press, you can take your freshly ground coffee beans and put them in a burlap sack, or you can sit the grounds directly in a pitcher of water. Before putting the beans into the water, make sure that the grounds are uniformly wet. The mixture of coffee and water needs to sit, the longer the better. Some experts recommend leaving the beans in the water for up to four days, but you should at least let the coffee steep for 12 hours. For a smooth coffee, 24 hours is the minimum.

Once your coffee has steeped, you'll need to remove the grounds from the water. You can do this with a French press, or you can use a regular coffee filter. If you put the grounds into a burlap sack or cheesecloth, you won't need to remove very many grounds because most of them will stay inside the fabric. Once your coffee is finished, you can store some for later and flavor it to your taste.

Coffee Cocktails:  Why do people love coffee and cocktails? One gives a decent amount of caffeine to get us through the day, while the other is a fun “pick-me-up.” Both types of drinks can be modified to meet the needs of our taste buds. So why are they oftentimes consumed at opposite ends of the day? Why not combine them into the ultimate beverage? Coffee cocktails are a fun way to indulge in complex flavors while boosting your mood!

Let’s visit a few favorite coffee drinks that have been elevated with alcohol so that they can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home.

Espresso Martini:  Want to feel classy and energized? The espresso martini is meant for those who love vodka and want to mix it with the rich flavor of coffee.

Ingredients:

• Vodka: Grey Goose and Beluga Noble are among the fan favorites for this drink

• Coffee liqueur: This is one of the key ingredients. Many opt for Kahlúa or Baileys.

• Espresso: You can use just about any type of espresso that you want.

• Syrup: For a smoother taste, simple syrup is the best choice.

• Extra garnishes: Cocoa powder, orange zest, cinnamon, cherries.

Tools:

• Martini glass
• Cocktail shaker
• Coffee grinder
• Bowl

Preparation Method: This caffeinated cocktail combines espresso, vodka, and coffee liqueur for a rich, creamy flavor profile. Even if you’re not a pro at mixing drinks, you can still do this at home.

1. Brew an ounce of espresso and pour it into a bowl to let it cool.

2. Add ice, two ounces of vodka, ½ ounce simple syrup, cooled espresso, and an ounce of coffee liqueur to a cocktail shaker.

3. Shake for a few minutes, then strain into a martini glass.

4. Top with any garnishes or added sweeteners.

Irish Coffee:  Those looking for a sweet, boozy coffee drink tend to favor this Gaelic beverage. It retains its deep coffee flavors while bringing forth a mixture of sugar and heavy cream. It’s the perfect cup to warm you up without being overly strong.

Ingredients

• Irish whiskey: The best brands for this drink are Jameson, Tullamore, and Bushmills, but you can opt for your favorite as well!

• Sugar: Granulated sugar works just fine, but our favorite is to add brown sugar. Heavy cream: To get the right consistency and density, you’ll want to use heavy whipping cream.

• Strong coffee: You can use just about any type of coffee, but it’s usually made with a stronger dark roast blend.

• Other sweeteners: Completely optional, yet equally satisfying. You can sweeten your Gaelic drink with nutmeg, maple syrup, honey, or even molasses.

Tools

• Coffee grinder
• Coffee glass
• Stirring utensil
• Whisk

Preparation Method: Crafting this delicious Irish drink isn’t all that difficult if you follow these steps.

1. Fill your coffee glass with hot water to heat it up. Pour out the hot water after a few minutes. You can brew your coffee at this time.

2. Combine 1 ½ ounces of Irish whiskey, 2 teaspoons of sugar, and 3 to 4 ounces of coffee in the glass and stir.

3. Add an ounce of heavy whipping cream to a separate container and lightly whisk until it becomes frothy. Be careful not to whisk too much.

4. Finish by layering your coffee drink with the whipped cream and add any other sweeteners that you choose!

Other Creative Cocktails:  Now that you know what it takes to make two of the most popular coffee and alcohol mixtures, you can expand your horizons to a few others. Here are a few others that you can look up:

• Prairie Buzz

• Cold-Brew Negroni

• Roman Holiday

• Midnight Oil

• Espresso Milk Punch

Serving Ideas:  We all know that presentation is everything! Our favorite suggestion is to add some classy garnishes, such as orange peels or a few cinnamon sticks. Depending on your drink, these additions can elevate the sophistication. You can also experiment by serving your coffee cocktail in a “rocks glass” or in a stemmed cocktail glass. This is another way to make it a little more fun!

Whether you’re starting the day with a coffee drink or ending it with a cocktail, we say you should combine them into a delectable beverage. Espresso-based drinks are adorned with rich flavors and help to switch up our routines.