How to Make the Perfect Café au Lait at Home

Café au lait is a classic French coffee drink that combines freshly brewed coffee with warm milk, creating a smooth, creamy, and balanced flavor. Unlike a latte, which is made with espresso, café au lait uses regular brewed coffee, making it easy to prepare at home.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to make a perfect café au lait, the differences between café au lait and other milk-based coffees, and variations to try.

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1. What Is a Café au Lait?

Café au lait means “coffee with milk” in French. It consists of:

✔ Equal parts brewed coffee and steamed milk.
✔ No foam, unlike a cappuccino or latte.
✔ Rich, smooth texture with a mild coffee flavor.

🡆 Best For: Coffee lovers who enjoy a creamy but not overly strong coffee.

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2. Ingredients for a Classic Café au Lait

✔ ½ cup strong brewed coffee (French press or drip coffee)
✔ ½ cup steamed milk (whole, oat, or almond milk)

Optional Additions:

✔ A dash of cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra flavor.
✔ A drizzle of honey or sugar if you like it sweeter.
✔ A pinch of salt to enhance creaminess.

🡆 Key Takeaway: Quality coffee and properly steamed milk are the keys to a perfect café au lait.

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3. How to Make a Café au Lait (Step by Step)

✅ Step 1: Brew Strong Coffee

• Use a French press, drip coffee, or pour-over to brew a strong cup of coffee.
• Dark roast coffee works best for rich flavor.

✅ Step 2: Steam the Milk

• Heat ½ cup of milk until hot but not boiling (150°F / 65°C).
• Use a steam wand, frother, or stovetop to warm the milk.

✅ Step 3: Combine Coffee and Milk

• Pour equal parts coffee and steamed milk into a large cup.
• Stir gently to mix the flavors.

✅ Step 4: Add Optional Toppings

• Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, or cocoa powder.
• Enjoy immediately!

🡆 Key Takeaway: Equal parts coffee and steamed milk create the perfect balance of strength and creaminess.

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4. Café au Lait vs. Latte vs. Cappuccino

Drink	Coffee Base	Milk Ratio	Foam?	Flavor Profile
Café au Lait	Brewed coffee	1:1 (coffee to milk)	❌ No	Smooth, mild, creamy
Latte	Espresso	1:3 (more milk)	✅ Yes	Creamy, mild coffee taste
Cappuccino	Espresso	1:1 (equal milk and foam)	✅ Thick foam	Strong, bold coffee flavor

🡆 Key Takeaway: Café au lait is stronger than a latte but smoother than a cappuccino.

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5. Best Coffee Beans for Café au Lait

Since café au lait is half coffee, half milk, the coffee should be bold enough to stand out.

Recommended Beans:

✔ French Roast Beans – Smoky, deep, bold flavor.
✔ Colombian Beans – Balanced, caramel, mild acidity.
✔ Brazilian Beans – Nutty, chocolatey, smooth.

Best Roast Level:

✅ Medium-Dark to Dark Roast – Provides a rich coffee flavor without overpowering the milk.

🡆 Key Takeaway: Dark roast coffee works best for a traditional French café au lait.

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6. Café au Lait Variations to Try

🥥 Coconut Café au Lait

• Replace regular milk with steamed coconut milk for a tropical twist.

🍯 Honey Café au Lait

• Add 1 tbsp honey instead of sugar for a natural sweetness.

🍂 Spiced Café au Lait (Perfect for Fall!)

• Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a tiny bit of vanilla extract.

❄️ Iced Café au Lait

• Brew cold brew coffee instead of hot coffee and mix with cold frothed milk.

☕ New Orleans Café au Lait (Traditional Style)

• Use chicory coffee instead of regular coffee for a unique roasted flavor.

🡆 Key Takeaway: Café au lait can be customized with different milk types, flavors, and spices.

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7. Pro Tips for the Best Café au Lait

✔ Use strong, bold coffee so the flavor isn’t lost in the milk.
✔ Steam milk to the right temperature (150°F / 65°C)—too hot will taste burnt.
✔ Avoid too much foam—café au lait should be creamy, not foamy.
✔ Try chicory coffee for an authentic New Orleans-style café au lait.

🡆 Key Takeaway: Proper brewing and milk steaming techniques make a smooth and flavorful café au lait.

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Final Thoughts

Café au lait is a simple yet delicious coffee drink that offers a perfect balance of strength and creaminess. Whether you enjoy it hot, iced, or with added flavors, it’s a great alternative to lattes and cappuccinos.

So, next time you make coffee at home, try a French-style café au lait for a smooth, comforting experience! ☕🥛✨