The café au lait is a simple yet elegant coffee drink that pairs strong brewed coffee with steamed milk, creating a smooth, well-balanced, and comforting cup. Unlike espresso-based drinks like lattes or cappuccinos, a café au lait is made with drip coffee or French press coffee, offering a milder, more approachable flavor while still keeping the richness of coffee intact.
A staple in French and European café culture, café au lait translates to “coffee with milk”—a straightforward name for a drink that is delightfully soothing and effortlessly enjoyable.
What Makes a Café au Lait Different?
🔹 Uses Brewed Coffee Instead of Espresso – Unlike lattes or cappuccinos, which are espresso-based, a café au lait is made with strongly brewed coffee (drip or French press) instead of espresso.
🔹 Equal Parts Coffee & Steamed Milk – A traditional café au lait maintains a 1:1 ratio of brewed coffee to milk, making it richer than regular coffee but lighter than a latte.
🔹 No Frothy Foam – While a latte has a layer of milk foam, a café au lait has only steamed milk, giving it a smooth, velvety texture without extra fluff.
How to Make a Café au Lait
☕ Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (10g) coarsely ground coffee
- 6 oz (180ml) cold, filtered water (for brewing coffee)
- 6 oz (180ml) steamed milk
🌡 Temperature Guide
- Brew water: 195–205°F (90–96°C)
- Milk steaming: 140–160°F (60–70°C)
Step-by-Step Brewing Guide
1️⃣ Brew a Strong Cup of Coffee
- Use French press or drip coffee to brew 6 oz (180ml) of strong coffee.
2️⃣ Steam the Milk
- Heat 6 oz (180ml) of milk until smooth and velvety, without creating foam.
3️⃣ Breathe It In
- ☕ Breathe it in. The scent of fresh coffee and warm milk is an invitation to awaken—not just the body, but the soul. That’s why we encourage you to take that extra second or two to pause and enjoy your coffee before drinking by smelling it and thinking, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
4️⃣ Combine the Coffee & Milk
- Slowly pour the steamed milk into the brewed coffee, blending smoothly.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy
- A café au lait is traditionally served in a large bowl-style cup, making it perfect for slow, cozy mornings.
Café au Lait vs. Other Coffee Drinks
✔ Café au Lait vs. Latte: A latte is made with espresso, while a café au lait is made with brewed coffee. Lattes also have foam, whereas café au lait does not.
✔ Café au Lait vs. Cappuccino: A cappuccino has a thick foam layer and is espresso-based, while a café au lait is simply coffee and milk with no foam.
✔ Café au Lait vs. White Coffee: White coffee (as made in some regions) is brewed coffee with cold milk or cream, while a café au lait uses steamed milk for a smoother texture.
Why Choose a Café au Lait?
- For Those Who Prefer a Milder, Balanced Coffee Experience – The café au lait is gentler than espresso-based drinks, making it ideal for any time of day.
- A Classic, Timeless Coffee Tradition – A staple in French cafés, this drink embodies the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients.
- Comforting & Smooth, Perfect for Slow Mornings – With its cozy, warming presence, a café au lait is made for moments of peace and reflection.
☕ Next Up: Galão – Portugal’s Lighter, Milkier Latte
