Bạc Xỉu

Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)

The Vietnamese answer to 'I want coffee flavor without the caffeine hit.' Bạc xỉu is mostly hot milk with just a splash of coffee for color and taste. The name comes from Cantonese (白小, meaning 'white and small'), a nod to its Saigon Chinese-Vietnamese origins. It's the order for people who think cà phê sữa đá is too strong, and there's no shame in it. Children grow up drinking it before graduating to the real thing.

How to make it

1. 1

   Heat fresh milk until steaming (or use warm condensed milk diluted with water for a sweeter version).

2. 2

   Brew a small amount of strong Vietnamese coffee — just 1–2 tablespoons.

3. 3

   Pour the hot milk into a glass.

4. 4

   Add the coffee — just enough to tint the milk a light tan color.

5. 5

   Sweeten with condensed milk if desired. Serve hot or over ice.