This grass jelly coffee recipe with brown sugar is lightly sweet, satisfying, earthy, warm, and an awesome Vietnamese-inspired Asian coffee recipe you need to try. It’s smooth, refreshing, slightly bittersweet, and has that irresistible jiggly texture of the grass jelly that makes every sip interesting. With strong brewed coffee and ready-made grass jelly, you can easily create this layered, textured drink right at home. Add it to iced coffee, milk tea, or enjoy it as a simple dessert with milk or cream for a refreshing treat that feels both fun and elevated.
Updated on February 26, 2026
Table of contents
This Asian drink with coffee is super next level! It will make you feel like you just came from one of those fancy tea houses or Asian drink cafés, but nope. You can make this right in the comforts of you own home.
It’s super easy!
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Watch the Video How to Make Grass Jelly Iced Coffee
What’s Good About Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
- not too sweet with yummy grass jelly textures
- the best bold coffee flavor with toasty brown sugar notes
- all the benefits of low calorie and filling grass jelly
- very simple to make, with a cafe-quality flavor
- versatile to make it rich, vegan, or light
- impress friends at your next Sunday brunch
Ingredients
This recipe only needs about a 1/2 cup of grass jelly for a tall glass serving. If you have a can of grass jelly, you can make several servings, serve in a punch bowl for a party, or reserve the remaining grass jelly in the refrigerator. Multiply the ingredients as needed.
REGULAR Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
1/2 cup Grass Jelly
Grass jelly adds the signature soft, jiggly texture to this drink. It’s mildly herbal and slightly bittersweet, which pairs beautifully with coffee. Cut into cubes or small pieces so you get chewy bites in every sip.
2 teaspoons Instant Coffee
Instant coffee keeps this recipe quick and easy. Since this is the main flavor base, choose a good-quality instant coffee for a smooth, rich taste.
1/2 cup Hot Water
Hot water dissolves the instant coffee completely, creating a strong coffee base that won’t taste watered down once ice and milk are added.
1 tablespoon Brown Sugar, packed
Brown sugar adds warmth and a subtle molasses depth that complements both the coffee and the herbal notes of the grass jelly.
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Vanilla rounds out the bitterness of the coffee and enhances the sweetness without making the drink overly sugary.
1/2 tablespoon Condensed Milk
Condensed milk adds creamy sweetness and gives the drink that café-style richness. It also balances the slight bitterness from the coffee and grass jelly. It’s a staple in Asian coffee drinks and in Vietnamese coffee.
1/2 cup Milk
Milk makes the drink smooth and refreshing. Whole milk gives the creamiest result, but you can use 2%, oat milk, or almond milk if preferred.
Ice
Ice chills the drink and keeps it refreshing, especially on warm days.
Dash of Cinnamon (Optional)
A small dash of cinnamon adds subtle warmth and depth, making the flavors feel a little more cozy and complex.
VEGAN Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
Simply sub dairy for plant-based ingredients.
- 1/2 cup Grass Jelly
- 2 tsp Instant Coffee
- 1/2 cup Hot Water
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar, packed
- 1/4 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup Plant Milk or Coconut Milk
- Ice
- Dash of Cinnamon (optional)
Equipment
- Heat Safe Glass or Measuring Cup
- Percolator, Pot, or Microwave to heat water
- A Spoon
- Tall Serving Glass
- Storage Containers or Plastic Wrap for refrigerating extra ingredients if necessary
Instructions
- Heat a the water and add a nice scoop of Vietnamese instant coffee or Columbian instant coffee. The bolder, the better.
- Add the brown sugar. Stir well until the brown sugar and instant coffee is totally dissolved. If you are making the non-vegan version that has condensed milk, then also add the condensed milk during this step.
- Stir well and add in the vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon if you like.
- Let the mixture cool down.
- Add the mixture to your tall serving glass and add ice, but leave room for grass jelly and milk.
- Add lots of grass jelly cubes or cute little shapes.
- Finally, add in your milk of choice. Enjoy!
Best Tips for Grass Jelly Coffee
- Make sure your drink is very cold. Grass jelly drinks taste best when fully chilled and served right away with plenty of ice (crushed ice is even better).
- Use bold coffee. A strong brew holds up better once ice and milk are added, though your favorite cold brew concentrate works well too.
- Cut the grass jelly into small cubes. Smaller pieces (or even fun shapes) make each sip more balanced and enjoyable. This way you can use a boba straw if you like.
- Serve immediately after assembling. This keeps the texture perfect and prevents dilution from melting ice.
These small details make a big difference in flavor, texture, and overall café-style presentation.
Add Ins and Variations
This grass jelly coffee is easy to customize, and it pairs beautifully with other café-style flavors and textures. Here are some fun ways to switch it up (and perfect spots to add your internal links):
- Make it with honey instead of brown sugar. Swap the brown sugar for honey for a smoother sweetness. You can even use your homemade honey coffee as the base for a deeper flavor twist.
- Add coffee jelly for double texture. If you love layered textures, mix in cubes of coffee jelly along with the grass jelly for a fun, chewy combination.
- Top with whipped cream. A dollop of matcha whipped cream adds a lightly earthy contrast, or go classic with Chantilly whipped cream for a soft, lightly sweet finish.
- Add tapioca pearls. Turn it into a full boba-style drink by adding perfectly cooked tapioca pearls for extra chewiness and a more filling treat.
- Try ai yu jelly or coconut jelly. For even more texture, mix in ai yu jelly or nata de coco for a refreshing, citrusy bite.
- Swap the base. Instead of plain instant coffee, try it with an iced condensed milk coffee or iced Vietnamese egg coffee.
- Use pandan milk. Infuse your milk with pandan extract or leaves for a subtle vanilla-like, nutty aroma that gives the drink even more Asian flair.
How to Serve Grass Jelly Iced Coffee Drink
- Make it iced cold, with a tall glass, and a spoon or boba straw.
- If you want to float the milk on top, pour the milk in slowly over the backside of a spoon.
- Have it on the porch while watching nature.
- Enjoy it with company.
- Try it with pastries, croissants, or with morning toast.
Storage and Leftovers
Grass jelly coffee is best enjoyed fresh and very cold, but you can prep parts of it ahead of time.
- Store components separately. Keep the brewed coffee mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store cut grass jelly in its original syrup or in a sealed container for up to 5 days.
- Do not store fully assembled with ice. Once ice is added, the drink will dilute and lose flavor. Assemble only when ready to serve.
- Stir before serving. If the coffee and milk mixture has been refrigerated, give it a quick stir or shake before pouring over ice.
- Texture note: Grass jelly holds its shape well in the fridge, but for the best chewy texture and refreshing taste, enjoy within 24 hours of assembling.
If you’re making this for guests, prep everything ahead and assemble right before serving for the best flavor and presentation.
Questions
How to Store extra Grass Jelly?
Store in the refrigerator, covered with a tight lid or plastic wrap.
Where do I buy canned grass jelly?
Any Asian market and even the Asian isle in big grocery stores carry grass jelly in a can.
Is this gluten free?
Yes! Grass jelly is totally gluten free.
Can I serve grass jelly in hot coffee?
No, it will become too soft and loose it’s texture.
Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
Ingredients
REGULAR NON-VEGAN Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
- ½ cup Grass Jelly cut in cubes or shapes
- 2 tsp Instant Coffee
- ½ cup Hot Water
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar packed
- ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ tbsp Condensed Milk
- ½ cup Milk
- Ice
- Dash of Cinnamon optional
VEGAN Grass Jelly Iced Brown Sugar Coffee
- ½ cup Grass Jelly cut in cubes or shapes
- 2 tsp Instant Coffee
- ½ cup Hot Water
- 1 tbsp Brown Sugar, packed
- ¼ tsp Vanilla Extract
- ½ cup Plant Milk or Coconut Milk
- Ice
- Dash of Cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a the water and add a nice scoop of Vietnamese instant coffee or Columbian instant coffee. The bolder, the better.2 tsp Instant Coffee, ½ cup Hot Water
- Add the brown sugar. Stir well until the brown sugar and instant coffee is totally dissolved. If you are making the non-vegan version that has condensed milk, then also add the condensed milk during this step.1 tbsp Brown Sugar, ½ tbsp Condensed Milk
- Stir well and add in the vanilla extract and a dash of cinnamon if you like.¼ tsp Vanilla Extract, Dash of Cinnamon
- Let the mixture cool down. Cut the grass jelly into small cubes or shapes.
- Add the mixture to your tall serving glass and add ice, but leave room for grass jelly and the milk.½ cup Grass Jelly, ½ cup Milk, Ice
- Add lots of grass jelly.
- Finally, add in your milk of choice. Enjoy!
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