Perfect Cafe Au Lait (French Coffee and Milk)

Cafe Au Lait is a simple, yet iconic coffee that’s easy to make and delicious to drink. How much money can you save by skipping your daily Starbucks run in favor of brewing your own at home? It’s a lot easier than you think!

There are some menu items that are found in coffee shops all over the world. We’re all familiar with the Latte and the Cappuccino, but how about the Cafe Au Lait? It’s one of my favorite drinks along with Chai Tea Latte and Salted Caramel Mocha.

What is Café Au Lait?

Café Au Lait literally translates to “coffee with milk.” As the name suggests, it’s a simple blend of coffee with hot milk. The coffee is usually a strong blend and can be drip brewed or French pressed. Steamed milk is added in, creating a lovely light brown color and a smooth, mellow taste. In Spanish-speaking countries, it’s known as café con leche, which also translates to “coffee with milk.”

What’s the Difference Between a Latte and Café Au Lait?

It’s easy to confuse a latte and a café au lait. Coffee connoisseurs know that a latte is made using espresso as its base. Steamed milk is added and there is usually a thin layer of foam on top. Café au lait is made by using drip brewed or French pressed coffee. It’s usually made in a 50/50 ratio with warm milk, but can be customized to the drinker’s preferences.

What’s the Difference Between a Cappuccino and Café Au Lait?

The Cappuccino is another popular menu item at coffee shops worldwide. Like a latte, the cappuccino uses espresso as its base. However, the cappuccino uses less milk than a latte and has lots of foam on top. The cappuccino is therefore a stronger drink than the latte and the cafe au lait.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Brewed Coffee
• Whole Milk

How to Make Café Au Lait

• Grind your coffee and brew in a coffee machine.
• Froth the milk (using a frother or mason jar).
• Pour the milk into the coffee. Serve and enjoy immediately.

Tips & Tricks

• Use high-quality coffee with low acidity: Low acidity coffee has a mellow, smooth taste, which is perfect for your cafe au lait. The rule of thumb is that the darker the roast, the lower the acidity. A light or medium roast will have higher acidity than a dark or espresso roast.
• Whole milk works the best for this recipe: Whole milk is thick and creamy, which gives your cafe au lait a rich texture. Using lower fat or skimmed milk can result in a thin, drier tasting coffee.
• You can customize the ratio between coffee and milk by taste: The best part of making your coffee at home is customizing it exactly how you like it. Play around with ratios to find your perfect cup of cafe au lait.

What’s the Best Coffee to Use for This Recipe?

Any kind of coffee will work for this simple recipe. If you’re already a coffee lover, go ahead and use your favorite roast. If you’re new to the coffee scene, you can’t go wrong with a medium roast. A popular option is the Starbucks House Blend. You want ground coffee that can be used in a percolator or French Press. If you have coffee beans, use a food processor to grind them.

How to Froth Milk without an Espresso Machine

If you don’t have a frother at home, you can pour the milk into a mason jar with a lid. Best to fill no more than a third of the jar. Place the lid on tightly and shake the jar vigorously for about 30-60 seconds or until the milk is frothy and about double in volume.

Milk to Coffee Ratio

A standard cafe au lait is made with equal parts coffee and milk, but don’t think this rule is set in stone. Some people like a stronger drink and may prefer a 70/30 ratio of coffee to milk. For those who like it less strong, a 40/60 mix might do the trick.

What Does Café Au Lait Taste Like?

Cafe au lait is one of the most popular coffee drinks for a reason. It’s a simple and comforting way to start the day. You can enjoy the rich, distinctive taste of coffee without it being too strong and bitter. Cafe au lait is creamy and delicious, being a perfectly balanced mix of coffee and milk. If you like, you can add in sweeteners or flavorings to enhance the experience.