If you’ve ever wondered how to make a café au lait at home, you’re in for a treat. This classic French coffee drink is beloved worldwide for its smooth, creamy texture and rich coffee flavor. Unlike a latte, which uses espresso, a café au lait is traditionally made with strong brewed coffee and steamed milk in equal parts. It’s simple, comforting, and perfect for any time of day.
What Is a Café au Lait?
Café au lait means “coffee with milk” in French. It’s a straightforward combination of brewed coffee and hot milk, usually served in a wide bowl or large cup. The key to a great café au lait is balancing the boldness of the coffee with the creaminess of the milk, creating a velvety, harmonious drink without the frothy foam typical of lattes or cappuccinos.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make a café au lait, you only need three basic ingredients:
– Strong brewed coffee: Traditionally, French roast coffee is used, often with chicory for a distinctive New Orleans twist. You can use a drip coffee maker, French press, or moka pot to brew your coffee.
– Milk: Whole milk is preferred for its creamy texture, but you can substitute with oat milk or other barista-style plant-based milks if you like.
– Optional sweetener: Sugar or artificial sweeteners can be added to taste, but many enjoy the natural flavors without extra sweetness.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make a Café au Lait at Home
1. Brew a Strong Coffee
Start by brewing a strong cup of coffee. For an authentic New Orleans-style café au lait, use a French roast coffee blend with chicory. If you don’t have chicory, just use a dark roast coffee but make sure it’s strong enough to stand up to the milk. Use about 1 tablespoon of coffee per cup of water.
You can brew your coffee using:
– A drip coffee maker
– A French press
– A moka pot on the stove for a richer flavor
2. Heat the Milk
While your coffee brews, heat the milk. You want it hot but not boiling—around 155º to 165º F is ideal. You can steam the milk with a milk frother or heat it gently on the stove or in the microwave. The goal is to warm the milk so it’s creamy and smooth, but without creating foam. Unlike a latte, a café au lait doesn’t have frothy milk on top.
3. Combine Coffee and Milk
Pour equal parts of the strong brewed coffee and the steamed milk into your cup or bowl. The traditional serving vessel is a wide café au lait bowl, but a large mug works perfectly too. Stir gently to mix the two together evenly.
4. Sweeten to Taste (Optional)
Add sugar or your preferred sweetener if you like your coffee a little sweeter. Many purists enjoy it without any sweetener to savor the natural flavors of the coffee and milk.
Tips for the Perfect Café au Lait
– Use quality coffee: The coffee is the star here, so pick a good quality dark roast or New Orleans blend with chicory if you want the authentic flavor.
– Heat milk carefully: Avoid boiling the milk to prevent a burnt taste. Warm it just enough to bring out its creaminess.
– Serve immediately: Café au lait is best enjoyed hot and fresh, so drink it soon after making it.
– Try it with beignets or pastries: This drink pairs wonderfully with sweet treats like beignets, scones, or coffee cake for a true café experience.
Variations to Explore
– New Orleans Style: Incorporates chicory in the coffee blend, giving a slightly earthy, rich flavor that’s iconic in that region.
– Dairy-Free Options: Use oat milk or almond milk steamed to the right temperature for a creamy texture without dairy.
– Iced Café au Lait: Brew strong coffee and chill it, then combine with cold milk and ice for a refreshing twist.
Making a café au lait at home is surprisingly easy and rewarding. With just a few simple steps, you can enjoy a smooth, creamy coffee drink that feels like a little luxury every morning or afternoon.
Enjoy your café au lait with a cozy book, good company, or simply as a moment of calm in your busy day.
A café au lait is a simple, delicious way to elevate your coffee routine with just coffee and milk in perfect harmony.