• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks

IzzyCooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Sous Vide
  • Air Fryer
  • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Sous Vide
    • Air Fryer
    • Starbucks Copycat Drinks
  • Let’s Connect!

    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Drinks

    12/17/2021

    Perfect Cafe Au Lait (French Coffee and Milk)

    • Share
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    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!

    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.

    Table of Contents Show
    What is Café Au Lait?
    What’s the Difference Between a Latte and Café Au Lait?
    What’s the Difference Between a Cappuccino and Café Au Lait?
    Ingredients You’ll Need
    How to Make Café Au Lait
    Tips & Tricks
    What’s the Best Coffee to Use for This Recipe?
    How to Froth Milk without an Espresso Machine
    Milk to Coffee Ratio
    What Does Café Au Lait Taste Like?
    Café Au Lait Recipe

    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.

    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!

    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

    froth milk
    • 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.
    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!

    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.

    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!

    Café Au Lait Recipe

    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!
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Author: Izzy

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup brewed coffee
    • 2/3 cup whole milk or any type of milk

    Instructions 

    • Grind your coffee and brew in a coffee machine. (You can also use instant coffee in a pinch)
    • Froth the milk (using a frother or mason jar).
    • Pour the milk into the coffee. Serve and enjoy immediately.
    Author: Izzy
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: French
    Keyword: Café Au Lait
    Tried this recipe?Follow or tag us on Pinterest @izzycooking

    Filed Under: Drinks, Recipes Tagged With: brewed coffee, whole milk

    About Izzy

    I'm Izzy, a food lover and photographer. Here you’ll find a collection of simple recipes that are perfect for busy people. My blog aims to help you make and enjoy delicious and healthy food at home.

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, this is Izzy! On my blog, you will find easy and delicious recipes for the everyday home cook, with easy-to-follow instructions and step-by-step photos.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • The BEST Dragon Fruit Smoothie recipe ever – creamy, healthy and packed with nutrients! It’s ready in less than 5 minutes, and made with almond milk so it’s naturally dairy-free and vegan. This refreshing smoothie has the vibrant pink color and is the perfect quick and easy breakfast, snack or dessert!
      Healthy Dragon Fruit Smoothie
    • If you’re looking for something healthier to serve for dessert, how about fresh fruit and yogurt dip? It takes minutes to prepare and you’ll love how delicious it is.
      Yogurt Dip Recipe
    • Shit On A Shingle is the ultimate comfort meal that’s fast and inexpensive. My mom used to make this for a quick breakfast, lunch or light dinner. Also called SOS, it’s a classic American military dish made with creamed, chipped beef, and served over toast. This is a healthier version with lighter creamy white sauce. #ShitOnAShingle #ChippedBeef #CreamedChippedBeef
      Shit On A Shingle (Creamed Chipped Beef on toast)
    • 24 Popular Cooked Sushi (Easy Sushi Rolls to Order at Restaurant or Make at Home)

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Copyright © 2022 - Izzycooking