What is Café au Lait? Simple DIY Homemade Recipe

Quick Answer

Café au lait is a French coffee made with equal parts strong brewed coffee and steamed milk. It is not a latte, since it uses drip or French press coffee instead of espresso. In France it often shows up at breakfast in large bowls without handles. You can make it at home in about five minutes with coffee, milk, and a basic way to heat and steam the milk—no espresso machine needed.

Key Takeaways

• Café au lait means “coffee with milk” in French.
  
• Made with a one-to-one mix of brewed coffee and steamed milk.
  
• Not a latte, which uses espresso and more milk.
  
• Classic French breakfast drink often served in bowls.
  
• Ready in about five minutes with simple gear.
  
• The New Orleans style adds chicory for a bold twist.
  

What is Café au Lait?

Café au lait translates to “coffee with milk.” The idea is simple. Strong coffee meets the same amount of steamed milk. The milk softens the brew and rounds the taste.

This drink uses brewed coffee and not espresso. A French press or a drip maker works well. The milk needs steaming to give a smooth, velvety feel. Some cafés add a light cap of foam, but the classic French version has little to no foam.

It is not the same as white coffee, which is just brewed coffee with cold milk or creamer. Steaming changes the milk’s texture and sweetness. The cup tastes richer and feels silkier.

In France, café au lait often appears on breakfast tables across the country. It often arrives in a wide, handleless bowl called a bol. You cradle it with both hands, dip a pastry, and ease into the day.

The Rich History of Café au Lait

References to café au lait appear in letters from Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, the Marquise de Sévigné, dating back to the early-to-mid 17th century. French culture has embraced this drink for over 300 years.

The beverage gained popularity during a time when coffee was becoming more accessible throughout Europe. The French discovered that adding steamed milk created a milder drink, easier to consume in larger quantities at breakfast.

The New Orleans Connection

An interesting American variation developed in New Orleans. During the American Civil War, Union naval blockades cut off the Port of New Orleans. Coffee became scarce. Citizens needed to stretch their coffee supply, so they mixed it with roasted chicory root.

This practice actually came from France, where chicory was added during French civil conflicts when coffee was scarce. French settlers and Acadians from Maritime Canada brought this tradition to Louisiana.

Today, New Orleans café au lait remains popular at iconic spots like Café du Monde and Morning Call Coffee Stand. The New Orleans version uses scalded milk—heated just below boiling—rather than steamed milk. The chicory adds a bold, slightly bitter flavor and thicker consistency.

Locals traditionally enjoy this version with beignets dusted with powdered sugar. The sweetness balances the chicory's bitterness beautifully.

Café au Lait vs. Other Coffee Drinks

Café au Lait vs. Latte

Many people confuse café au lait with a latte. Both are milky coffee drinks, but they're quite different.

Café au Lait:

• Made with brewed coffee (drip or French press)
  
• Equal parts coffee and steamed milk (1:1 ratio)
  
• Minimal or no foam
  
• Lighter, more mellow flavor
  

Latte:

• Made with espresso
  
• More milk than coffee (typically 2:1 ratio)
  
• Thick layer of foam on top
  
• Stronger coffee flavor despite more milk

At Starbucks, café au lait is called "Caffè Misto" and follows the traditional 1:1 ratio of French press coffee to frothed milk.

Café au Lait vs. Cappuccino

A cappuccino also uses espresso as its base. It contains equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. The foam layer is much thicker than café au lait, and the drink is served in smaller portions.

Café au Lait vs. White Coffee

White coffee simply means brewed coffee with cold milk or creamer added. No steaming occurs. The result tastes and feels completely different—cooler, thinner, and less integrated.

How to Make Café au Lait at Home

Prep Time: 5 minutes  
Cook Time: 0 minutes  
Total Time: 5 minutes  
Servings: 1  
Yield: 1 drink (approximately 12-16 oz)

Ingredients

• 6 oz strong brewed coffee (French roast works best)
  
• 6 oz whole milk
  

Equipment Needed

• French press or drip coffee maker
  
• Mason jar with lid (for steaming milk)
  
• Microwave
  
• Large coffee mug or bowl
  

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brew strong coffee: Use your French press or drip coffee maker to brew strong coffee. French roast provides authentic flavor. Make it stronger than you typically would for regular coffee—about 1.5 times your normal coffee-to-water ratio.

2. Heat and froth the milk: Pour milk into a Mason jar and fill it no more than halfway. Screw the lid on tightly. Shake vigorously for 45 seconds. The milk should double in volume as air incorporates.

3. Microwave the milk: Remove the lid. Place the jar in the microwave. Heat on high for 30-45 seconds. Watch carefully. Stop when the jar feels hot to touch but not burning. Overheating will deflate the foam you just created.

4. Combine coffee and milk: Pour the hot coffee into your mug or bowl. Using a spoon to hold back the foam, pour the steamed milk into the coffee. The ratio should be equal—about 6 oz of each.

5. Add foam: Spoon any remaining foam on top of the drink.

6. Serve immediately: Enjoy hot, preferably with a croissant or pastry for dunking.

How to Steam Milk Without an Espresso Machine

You don't need fancy equipment to make café au lait. The Mason jar method produces surprisingly good results.

The Science Behind It

When you shake milk vigorously, you incorporate air bubbles. This mimics what happens when cream is whipped or when a steam wand forces air into milk. The microwave heating expands those air bubbles and heats the milk to the right temperature.

Tips for Success

• Use whole milk for best results. The fat content creates better texture.
  
• Don't fill the jar more than halfway. The milk needs room to expand.
  
• Shake hard and fast. Your arm might get tired, but it's worth it.
  
• Watch the microwave carefully. Overheating ruins the texture.
  
• The jar should be hot to touch but not requiring a potholder.

Alternative Methods:

• Handheld milk frother: These battery-powered devices cost under $20 and heat and froth milk in one step.
  
• French press: Heat milk in a saucepan, pour into French press, then pump the plunger repeatedly to create foam.
  
• Whisk method: Heat milk in a pan, then whisk vigorously for 30 seconds.
  

Café au Lait Around the World

The concept of coffee with hot milk exists in many cultures, each with its own name:

Poland: Kawa Biała: Translates to "white coffee." Served at breakfast with pastries.

Germany: Milchkaffee: Often enjoyed in the afternoon with cake.

Hungary: Tejeskávé: Popular throughout the day.

Netherlands: Koffie Verkeerd: Literally means "wrong coffee" because it reverses the typical coffee-to-milk ratio.

Brazil: Café com Leite: A breakfast staple, often sweetened.

Spain: Café con Leche: Nearly identical preparation to French café au lait.

Each variation uses the same basic principle—combining strong coffee with hot milk—but local coffee customs and preferences create subtle differences in strength, sweetness, and serving style.

Best Ways to Enjoy Your Café au Lait

Traditional French Breakfast

Serve café au lait in a large bowl or oversized mug. Pair it with:

• Fresh croissants
  
• Pain au chocolat
  
• Tartines with butter and jam
  
• Fresh fruit

The bowl allows easy dunking of pastries, a beloved French breakfast ritual.

After-Brunch Coffee

Later in the day, serve café au lait in a regular mug alongside:

• A single square of dark chocolate
  
• Madeleines
  
• Biscotti
  
• Light cookies
  

Modern Variations to Try

• Vanilla Café au Lait: Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the milk before steaming.
• Honey-Sweetened: Stir in a teaspoon of honey for natural sweetness.
• Spiced Version: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the milk.
• Iced Café au Lait: Brew strong coffee, let it cool, then pour over ice with cold milk. Not traditional but refreshing.
  

Conclusion

Café au lait brings French café vibes home with little effort or gear. This classic drink shows that simple can be best. Strong coffee. Steamed milk. A calm minute for you.

The charm sits in the easy method and the many small ways to make it yours. Use a wide bowl for slow weekend breakfasts. Use mugs for quick weekday sips. Try different roasts. Find the flavor you love.

Start with great beans to lift your cup. Lifeboost Coffee’s organic, single-origin beans give a clean, rich taste. Our low-acid roasts feel smooth with steamed milk and keep that true café taste without the stomach burn.

Bring the French café feeling home, one warm bowl at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does café au lait mean?

Café au lait means “coffee with milk.” The drink uses equal parts strong coffee and steamed milk.

What's the difference between café au lait and a latte?

Café au lait uses brewed coffee and a 1:1 mix with steamed milk. A latte uses espresso, more steamed milk, and a thick foam layer on top.

Can I make café au lait without an espresso machine?

Yes. Brew strong coffee in a French press or drip maker. Steam or heat milk using a simple method like the Mason jar shake.

What kind of coffee should I use for café au lait?

Use a strong dark roast. French roast is common and stands up to milk. Brew it stronger than your normal cup, about one and a half strength.

Is café au lait served hot or cold?

It is usually hot. You can also pour cold brew over ice and add cold milk for an iced version.

What's special about New Orleans café au lait?

It blends coffee with roasted chicory root for a bold, slightly bitter taste and a thicker feel. It uses scalded milk instead of steamed milk and is often served with beignets.

About the Author

This article comes from the Lifeboost Coffee team. We pair classic French café habits with simple home methods to help you make café au lait with ease.

Disclaimer: Taste is personal. Use these recipes and ratios as a starting point and adjust to your liking. Be careful with hot liquids to avoid burns.

Check out Lifeboost Coffee Grata Medium Roast.