Cafe au lait recipe: brewed coffee and warm milk
Jack Donnell
At a glance
Make cafe au lait with equal parts brewed coffee and warm milk. This espresso-free recipe includes a one-cup ratio, heating steps, and flavor adjustments.
Cafe au lait combines brewed coffee with warm milk. This starting recipe uses equal volumes, making it different from a latte built on espresso. You can use a drip brewer, French press, or pour-over, so an espresso machine is unnecessary.
The coffee needs enough flavor to remain noticeable after milk is added. Start with your normal measured brew rather than guessing a much larger dose of grounds, then adjust the milk amount after tasting.
Cafe au lait recipe
Yield: 1 drink · Prep: about 2 minutes · Cook/brew: about 3 minutes · Total: about 5 minutes
Use these quantities as home starting points and adjust to taste. Times are estimates; allow extra time for an espresso machine to warm up. US volume measures are approximate metric conversions.
Equipment
Coffee brewer, small saucepan, spoon or whisk, measuring cup, and a 12 fl oz mug.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) freshly brewed coffee
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk
Instructions
- Brew the coffee. Make coffee with your usual measured brewer recipe. Measure 1/2 cup into a warmed mug.
- Warm the milk. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until gently steaming. Do not let it boil.
- Combine equal portions. Pour the measured warm milk into the brewed coffee. Stir to blend the two liquids evenly.
- Taste and serve. Taste before adding sugar or syrup. Serve immediately; adjust the milk quantity in the next cup if you prefer a stronger coffee flavor.
Tips and adjustments
Choosing a brewer
French press gives a different body from paper-filtered coffee. Keep the same coffee-to-water ratio when comparing methods, then note which texture you prefer with milk.
Too weak?
Try 3 parts brewed coffee to 2 parts milk next time. This changes the balance without requiring a new grinder setting or stronger extraction.
Milk develops a skin?
Warm it shortly before serving and stir as it heats. A milk frother can warm it instead, but a thick foam cap is not required.
Common questions
Is cafe au lait a latte?
The coffee base is different: this recipe uses brewed coffee, while a latte starts with espresso. Similar-looking cups can therefore have different flavor and texture.
Do I need chicory coffee?
No. Chicory coffee can be used for a New Orleans-inspired variation, but plain brewed coffee works for this recipe. Check the coffee blend description if you want chicory’s distinct flavor.
More coffee recipes
Browse all coffee recipes or return to our recipe collection.
Further reading: French press measurements. The measured preparation above is a Chroma home starting version.
Illustrative stock photo: Pexels, used under the Pexels license.