The Base Difference
Spanish Latte is built on espresso — the same base used in lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. It combines espresso with sweetened condensed milk and regular milk, creating a smooth, milk-forward drink.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee uses robusta coffee, which is known for a stronger flavor. It is brewed through a phin filter, a small device that slowly drips coffee directly into the glass. The result is a concentrated coffee that is poured over ice and mixed with sweetened condensed milk.
When Both Are Iced
When ordered cold, an iced Spanish latte keeps its smooth, milk-forward profile because cold milk still makes up most of the drink. A Vietnamese iced coffee stays much more intense and concentrated — the slow-drip coffee melts the ice directly without additional milk to dilute it, so the coffee and condensed milk flavors remain strong.
Are Spanish Latte and Vietnamese Iced Coffee the Same?
No. Spanish latte and Vietnamese iced coffee are not the same drink, even though they both use sweetened condensed milk.
A Spanish latte is an espresso-and-milk drink, closer to a regular latte. Vietnamese iced coffee is a strong brewed coffee served over ice, with less milk and more concentrated coffee flavor. The Spanish latte tastes smoother and milkier, while the Vietnamese iced coffee tastes stronger and more concentrated.
The Condensed Milk Connection
Both drinks use sweetened condensed milk as a key ingredient. In a Spanish Latte, it blends fully into the espresso and milk, creating a smooth, even texture. In Vietnamese Iced Coffee, it often sits at the bottom of the glass and is stirred before drinking.
📌 Good to Know
Why is Vietnamese iced coffee sweeter than a Spanish latte?
Both drinks use sweetened condensed milk, but the perceived sweetness differs because of the coffee base.
In a Spanish Latte, milk dilutes both the espresso and the condensed milk, creating a smoother, softer sweetness. In Vietnamese Iced Coffee, there is no regular milk to dilute the condensed milk, so the sweetness comes through undiluted. Combined with the stronger coffee base, both the bold coffee flavor and the heavy sweetness stand out more.
Caffeine Content
A 250 ml (≈8.5 oz) serving of a Spanish Latte typically contains 60–130 mg of caffeine, depending on the number of espresso shots.
Vietnamese Iced Coffee is often stronger, commonly ranging from 120–200 mg of caffeine. The exact amount depends on the coffee dose, brewing method, serving size, and beans. Vietnamese coffee is often made with robusta beans, which usually contain more caffeine than arabica.
Ordering at Cafés and Restaurants
Spanish Latte is widely available at specialty cafés and increasingly common at mainstream coffee shops. Vietnamese Iced Coffee is most commonly found at Vietnamese restaurants and specialty cafés and is less common on standard coffee shop menus.