Café au Lait, meaning “coffee with milk,” originated in France and quickly became a staple in the coffee culture.
It’s a simple blend of strong coffee and steamed milk, making it both rich and comforting.
In New Orleans, it’s often served with chicory, adding a unique, bitter flavor that pairs perfectly with sweet beignets.
Versions of this drink are enjoyed worldwide—known as Café con Leche in Spain and Milchkaffee in Germany.
Its simplicity and versatility make it ideal for coffee lovers everywhere, whether you’re at a café or making it at home.
Here’s how to make this delicious drink at home!
How To Make A Café au Lait: At A Glance
- Brewing the Coffee
- Steaming the Milk
- Combine ingredients
- Spoon a little foam on top (Optional)
- Serve and Enjoy!
What is a Café au Lait?
A Café au Lait is a classic French coffee drink made by mixing equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk.
Unlike a latte, which uses espresso and a higher proportion of milk, Café au Lait is brewed with regular strong coffee.
The 1:1 coffee-to-milk ratio gives it a balanced flavor—less intense than a cappuccino, which is made with more foam and uses espresso as its base.
As mentioned earlier, there are also regional variations.
In France, the coffee is often drip-brewed or made with a French Press, while in New Orleans, the drink is traditionally made with chicory coffee, adding a distinct, slightly bitter flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strong brewed coffee: Use a Moka Pot, French Press, or drip coffee maker to brew strong, dark coffee.
- 1 cup steamed milk: Whole milk is recommended for a creamy texture, but you can use oat or almond milk as a vegan option.
- Optional extras:
- Sugar: Add to taste.
- Flavored syrups: Vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut for added sweetness.
- Spices: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth and flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Brewing the Coffee
Brew 1 cup of strong coffee using your preferred method.
You can use a French Press, Moka Pot, or drip coffee maker.
Each method will yield a rich, flavorful coffee base that is perfect for a Café au Lait.
Make sure the coffee is hot and freshly brewed for the best taste.
Step 2: Steaming the Milk
Heat 1 cup of milk until just below boiling.
You can use a steam wand if you have an espresso machine, or simply heat the milk on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Optionally, you can froth the milk to create a creamier texture, but Café au Lait traditionally doesn’t have as much foam as a latte.
Step 3: Combining
Pour equal parts of brewed coffee and steamed milk into a large mug or bowl.
For a finishing touch, you can spoon a little foam on top if desired.
Stir gently, and enjoy your Café au Lait while it’s hot!
Variations & Customizations
New Orleans Style Café au Lait
For a unique twist on the traditional recipe, try the New Orleans version of Café au Lait.
This variation uses chicory coffee, which gives the drink a slightly bitter, earthy flavor that balances beautifully with milk.
Instead of steamed milk, New Orleans-style Café au Lait typically uses scalded milk, which is heated just until bubbles form around the edges, but not brought to a full boil.
This adds a distinct richness to the drink.
Vegan Café au Lait
To make a plant-based version of this classic, simply swap out the whole milk for a non-dairy alternative.
Oat milk and almond milk are great options, as they froth well and offer a creamy texture similar to dairy milk.
These plant-based milks also bring their own subtle flavors, making the vegan Café au Lait just as delicious and versatile as the original.
Oat milk, in particular, creates a smooth and rich finish that pairs wonderfully with strong coffee.
Flavor Additions
For those who like to experiment with flavors, there are plenty of options to customize your Café au Lait.
Adding flavored syrups like vanilla, hazelnut, or caramel can elevate the drink and make it feel like a café-style treat.
If you prefer a little warmth and spice, try stirring in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.
Serving Suggestions
In the traditional French style, Café au Lait is often served in a wide, shallow bowl rather than a standard mug.
This makes it perfect for dipping your favorite pastries.
For an authentic French experience, pair your Café au Lait with a buttery croissant, a decadent pain au chocolat, or a warm scone.
These classic pastries complement the smooth, creamy texture of the drink and make for a delightful breakfast or snack.
For the New Orleans version, nothing pairs better with your chicory-infused coffee than sugar-dusted beignets.
The sweet, airy pastries balance the bitterness of the chicory, creating a perfect flavor combination that’s iconic in New Orleans coffee culture.
Café au Lait vs. Other Coffee Drinks
Café Latte
A Café Latte is quite different from a Café au Lait, mainly because it’s made with espresso rather than brewed coffee.
Lattes also have a higher milk content, using a 2:1 ratio of steamed milk to espresso, which creates a creamier and more velvety texture.
In contrast, the Café au Lait uses an equal ratio of brewed coffee and milk, giving it a stronger coffee flavor and a lighter, less frothy texture.
Cappuccino
Cappuccinos also differ from Café au Lait, but in this case, the distinction lies in the foam.
A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and a thick layer of milk foam on top.
This results in a more textured drink where the foam is a prominent feature.
Unlike the brewed coffee base in a Café au Lait, cappuccinos use espresso, offering a more concentrated coffee flavor with a frothy finish.
Flat White and Macchiato
Both Flat White and Macchiato are espresso-based drinks like a latte and cappuccino, but their focus is on different milk textures.
A Flat White is similar to a latte but has less foam and more micro-foamed milk, which creates a smooth, silky texture.
A Macchiato, on the other hand, emphasizes the espresso with just a small amount of milk or foam.
In comparison, Café au Lait focuses on brewed coffee and uses more milk than a macchiato, with a simpler texture that doesn’t rely on specialized foam.
How to Make Steamed Milk without a Steamer
If you don’t have a steamer at home, you can still create steamed milk using simple household items.
One of the easiest methods is to use a jar.
Pour your desired amount of milk into a glass jar with a lid, leaving some space at the top.
Screw the lid on tightly and shake the jar vigorously for about 30 seconds, until the milk becomes frothy and doubles in volume.
Once you’ve frothed the milk, remove the lid and microwave the jar for 30 to 45 seconds, just until the milk is hot but not boiling.
This will create steamed milk with a light foam, perfect for a Café au Lait.
Another method involves using a French press.
Pour warm milk into the French press and pump the plunger up and down quickly for about 30 seconds.
This action creates a frothy texture similar to steamed milk.
Lastly, you can use a microwave and whisk.
Heat the milk in the microwave until warm, then vigorously whisk it by hand or with an electric whisk to create foam.
Conclusion
The Café au Lait is a simple yet versatile drink that anyone can make at home.
Its customizable nature makes it a great choice for both casual coffee drinkers and those who enjoy experimenting with flavors.
Whether you prefer the traditional French style, the bold New Orleans version, or a vegan alternative, there’s a variation for everyone.
Try pairing it with your favorite pastries for an authentic café experience right in your kitchen.
FAQs
How do I make Café au Lait with plant-based milk?
You can easily make a Café au Lait with plant-based milk by substituting dairy milk with options like oat, almond, or soy milk.
Oat milk is a particularly good choice because it froths well and offers a creamy texture, similar to whole milk.
Almond milk is also a great option for a lighter taste.
Can I add foam to my Café au Lait?
Yes, you can add foam to your Café au Lait, although it traditionally has less foam than a latte or cappuccino.
You can froth the milk using a jar, French press, or even a handheld milk frother to create a layer of foam on top of your drink.
What is the best coffee for a Café au Lait?
The best coffee for a Café au Lait is a strong, dark roast brewed using methods like a French press, Moka Pot, or drip coffee maker.
The dark roast provides a robust flavor that pairs well with the steamed milk.
