Canonical: https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/classic-coffee-drinks/cafe-au-lait/ Language: en Classic Coffee Drinks # Café au Lait: How to Make French-Style Coffee with Milk Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/) Category: [Classic Coffee Drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/classic-coffee-drinks/)Tags: [Recipes](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/recipes/) [Coffee Culture](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/coffee-culture/) [Milk](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/tags/milk/) ## Quick answer Café au lait keeps breakfast simple: brewed coffee with **warm milk**. You do not need an elaborate **foam** layer. Start with coffee you enjoy black and add enough milk to make the cup suit you. ## Key takeaways - Café au lait keeps breakfast simple: brewed coffee with warm milk. - Use strong brewed coffee and add warm milk to taste. - Brew coffee a little stronger than your usual mug if you want its flavor to stay clear once milk is added. ![Different coffee drinks together on a wooden table.](https://www.coffeejay.com/assets/editorial/different-coffee-drinks.avif) Different coffee drinks together on a wooden table. ## What goes into café au lait? Use strong brewed coffee and add **warm milk** to taste. The drink is often served in a larger cup or bowl, but you can use any heat-safe mug. The coffee may come from a drip **brewer**, **French press**, or another method that makes a flavorful black coffee. ## Make it at home Brew coffee a little stronger than your usual mug if you want its flavor to stay clear once milk is added. Warm the milk separately and combine it gradually. **Taste before adding** **sugar**; the right **balance** depends on the coffee and milk you choose. ## Café au lait vs. latte The key difference is the coffee base: café au lait uses brewed coffee, while **a latte** uses espresso. A latte usually has a smoother steamed-milk **texture** and a more concentrated coffee foundation. See our guide to [**latte** and other espresso milk drinks](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/milk-drinks/cappuccino-vs-latte-vs-flat-white/) for more comparisons. ## Choose a brewed-coffee base Use a method that produces a full-flavored cup without relying on **espresso**. **A French press** leaves more oils and fine particles in the drink, while paper-filtered coffee usually feels **cleaner**. Either can work; the important point is that the coffee should still be recognizable after milk is added. If your first cup tastes thin, brew the coffee a little stronger next time rather than **pouring** in less milk at random. If it tastes harsh, check the brew itself before changing the milk. Keeping those adjustments separate helps you find **a repeatable** **balance**. ### Warm the milk gently **Warm milk** separately and stop before it simmers. Pour it in gradually, **tasting** as you go. Café au lait does not require a cap of **fine foam**; a lightly textured surface is enough if you enjoy it. Use a heat-safe bowl or mug with room for both liquids. ## Make the proportions your own There is no single **ratio** used in every home or café. **Equal parts** coffee and milk make a gentle starting point; more coffee keeps the cup bolder, while more milk softens it. Record the amount you like so you can repeat the drink without treating one café’s **serving size** as a universal rule. For a milk drink made with espresso instead of brewed coffee, see the [**cappuccino**, **latte**, and **flat white** comparison](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/milk-drinks/cappuccino-vs-latte-vs-flat-white/). For a lighter café au lait, add a smaller pour of milk rather than changing to a different coffee base. A wide bowl gives **the warm milk** and coffee **room** to mix and **cool**; a mug is convenient for a smaller everyday serving. Neither vessel defines the drink. Choose a heat-safe cup that feels comfortable to hold, and pour the milk slowly so you can stop when the coffee still tastes clear. ## Further reading For background on [**espresso**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Espresso) and [milk](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk), see Wikipedia. [Back to Learn library](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/) ## Frequently asked questions What goes into café au lait? Use strong brewed coffee and add warm milk to taste. The drink is often served in a larger cup or bowl, but you can use any heat-safe mug. The coffee may come from a drip brewer, French press, or another method that makes a flavorful black coffee. Written by [Jay](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/authors/coffeejay/). [Read our editorial approach](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/editorial-policy/). ## Related guides - [What Is a Cortado? Coffee-to-Milk Ratio and How to Make One](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/classic-coffee-drinks/cortado-coffee-to-milk-ratio/) - [What Is a Dirty Chai Latte? How to Make Chai with Espresso](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/classic-coffee-drinks/dirty-chai-latte/) - [Espresso Con Panna: How to Make Coffee with Whipped Cream](https://www.coffeejay.com/en/learn/guides/classic-coffee-drinks/espresso-con-panna/)