Can you make egg coffee in a drip coffee maker?

If you’ve ever tasted Vietnamese egg coffee — that silky, rich blend of coffee and creamy foam — you’ve probably wondered how it’s made. Traditionally, it’s prepared using a phin filter or an espresso machine that extracts a strong, aromatic shot of coffee. But what if you don’t have one at home?

A common question many people ask is: Can you make egg coffee in a drip coffee maker?

The short answer is yes, you can — but the result will be a little different from what you might enjoy at a professional café like Tonkin Coffee, where baristas use specialized equipment and years of experience to craft each cup to perfection.

Let’s break it down step by step — from how to make it at home with your drip machine, to why professional cafés go the extra mile for that flawless cup.

Can You Really Make Egg Coffee with a Drip Coffee Maker?

Absolutely. While the traditional method uses a phin filter or an espresso shot, your drip coffee maker can still brew a great base for egg coffee. You just need to adjust the coffee-to-water ratio and focus on creating that perfect frothy cream.

The main idea is simple:

• The drip coffee provides a strong, hot base.
  
• The egg cream brings the sweet, velvety topping.
  Combine the two — and you have your homemade version of Vietnam’s famous egg coffee.
  

How to Make Egg Coffee Using a Drip Coffee Maker

Ingredients

• 4–5 tablespoons of dark roast coffee grounds per serving (Vietnamese robusta beans are ideal)
  
• 1 large egg yolk, fresh and room temperature
  
• 2–3 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk
  
• (Optional): 1 teaspoon sugar or a few drops of vanilla extract
  
• (Optional garnish): cocoa powder or cinnamon
  

Step 1: Brew a Strong Coffee Base

Drip coffee makers usually produce lighter, less concentrated coffee than espresso or phin-brewed coffee.
To balance the sweet cream later, you’ll want a bold base:

1. Add your coffee grounds into the machine’s filter basket.
   
2. Use slightly more coffee grounds than usual — around 4–5 tablespoons for each cup of water.
   
3. Start the brewing process and let it run as normal.
   
4. Once done, keep the coffee hot in a mug or thermos while you prepare the cream.
   

Step 2: Make the Egg Cream

The magic of egg coffee lies in this creamy topping.

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, sweetened condensed milk, and any optional sugar or vanilla.
   
2. You can use a hand mixer, electric whisk, or manual whisk — whichever you have.
   
3. Whisk vigorously for 3–5 minutes, until the mixture becomes light, pale, and airy. It should be thick and smooth — almost like soft custard or whipped cream.
   

The key is consistency: it should be thick enough to sit on top of the coffee without sinking.

Step 3: Combine and Serve

Now comes the fun part.

1. Pour your hot coffee into a small glass or ceramic cup.
   
2. Gently spoon the egg cream on top, letting it float naturally to form two distinct layers.
   
3. For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of cocoa powder or cinnamon on the surface.
   

Serve immediately while it’s warm.
You can enjoy the layers separately — sipping through the cream — or stir them together for a richer, custard-like blend. This answers the question of how to eat egg coffee—it’s entirely up to you!

What to Expect When Using a Drip Coffee Maker

Making egg coffee with a drip machine is a fun way to bring Vietnamese flavors home. But there are a few differences you’ll notice compared to the café version.

Taste

• Drip coffee has a softer body and lower intensity compared to espresso.
  
• Your drink will still taste delicious, but it won’t have the same deep, roasted strength or crema on top.
  

Texture

• The egg cream might blend faster with the coffee since drip coffee is thinner.
  
• You’ll get a smoother, lighter mouthfeel — still creamy, just less dense.
  

Aroma

• Because of the gentler extraction, drip coffee gives a milder aroma.
  
• Try using freshly ground beans to enhance the fragrance.
  

So yes — you can make egg coffee with your drip machine, and it will be wonderful. But if you’ve ever had it at a high-quality café, you’ll notice that something extra — that depth, that silky finish — comes from a little more precision.

And that’s where cafés like Tonkin Coffee come in.

Why Professional Cafés Like Tonkin Coffee Make It Differently

At Tonkin Coffee, each cup of egg coffee is crafted with care and precision. It’s not just about following a recipe — it’s about achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and temperature.

Instead of a simple drip machine, Tonkin uses a professional-grade espresso machine — the kind you might see behind the counter at specialty coffee shops. This type of equipment allows their baristas to control every element of extraction: pressure, temperature, and water flow.

Here’s why that matters:

• Fuller, richer base: The espresso machine extracts a concentrated shot, giving the egg cream something bold to rest on.
  
• Creamy balance: The stronger base pairs beautifully with the sweet, airy foam, creating that signature Vietnamese egg coffee taste — bold yet smooth.
  
• Consistent quality: Every cup is brewed to the same high standard, from the first customer of the day to the last.
  
• Professional speed: During busy hours, baristas can prepare multiple drinks efficiently without sacrificing flavor.
  

In short, the equipment helps — but the people behind it make the biggest difference.

The Skill Behind Every Cup: Tonkin’s Baristas

Walk into Tonkin Coffee, and you’ll notice the calm rhythm of their baristas at work — steady hands, precise movements, and quiet focus.

Each one is trained to understand not just how to make coffee, but why each step matters. From measuring the grind size to adjusting the milk texture for lattes or egg coffee, everything is intentional.

For their signature Vietnamese egg coffee, baristas carefully balance the sweetness of the cream and the intensity of the espresso. They whip the egg mixture until it’s just the right consistency — light enough to float, thick enough to linger — and pour the coffee at the perfect temperature so the layers stay distinct.

That’s what gives Tonkin’s egg coffee its smooth, lasting flavor and beautiful finish. Every sip feels both comforting and refined.

A Taste Worth Visiting For

While making egg coffee at home with a drip coffee maker is fun and rewarding, there’s something special about experiencing it at a café that treats it like an art form.

At Tonkin Coffee, you don’t just get a drink — you get the best version of Vietnamese egg coffee:

• Brewed with precision,
  
• Topped with perfectly whipped cream,
  
• Served by skilled baristas who take pride in every detail.
  

If you prefer your egg coffee hot or cold, strong or sweet, Tonkin’s version captures the spirit of Vietnamese coffee culture — rich, welcoming, and full of character.

You can explore more about their coffee story and menu at Tonkin Coffee.

So, can you make egg coffee in a drip coffee maker?

Yes — and you should try it! It’s a creative, easy way to bring a taste of Vietnam into your home.

But when you’re craving the full, authentic experience — the depth, the aroma, and that flawless texture — nothing compares to enjoying it from the hands of professionals.

At Tonkin Coffee, the combination of skilled baristas, premium beans, and a specialized espresso machine ensures every cup is as smooth and delightful as the first.

Homemade egg coffee is a comfort; Tonkin’s egg coffee is a craft.

Visit Tonkin Coffee Today!

Tonkin Specialty Coffee 

• Add: 91 Ly Tu Trong St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 
• Hotline: 086 799 0125
  

Tonkin Garden Cafe 

• Add: 135/50 Tran Hung Dao St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 
• Hotline: 087 992 4691
  

Tonkin Egg Coffee 

• Add: 1 Le Thi Rieng, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 
• Hotline: 0815 841 909