Written by Jonas Munch Schmidt-AndersenUpdated August 6, 2026 / Coffee / 5 minutes

Café au lait

A café au lait is the classic French breakfast drink: brewed coffee (filter coffee) mixed with a good amount of hot milk in equal parts. It is mild, smooth, and well-rounded, allowing the coffee to breathe, while the milk takes the sharpest edge off without overpowering the bean. While most café drinks are based on espresso, the café au lait starts with regular brewed coffee, and that is precisely what makes it a home-friendly everyday coffee.

In short, Café au lait = brewed coffee + hot milk, typically in a 1:1 ratio. "Café au lait" is French and means "coffee with milk." It is served in a large cup or bowl and is milder and less foamy than a caffè latte, which is made with espresso.

What does café au lait mean?

"Café au lait" is French and simply means "coffee with milk." The name almost says it all: it's not about advanced layers or microfoam, but about the simple, warm balance between coffee and milk. In France, it is typically drunk in the morning, often from a wide bowl (a bol) that one can warm one's hands on, and preferably with a croissant on the side.

It's worth noting that the name is used somewhat differently from country to country. In France, café au lait means brewed coffee with hot milk. In many cafés outside France, especially in the US, it is instead made with espresso. In this guide, we stick to the classic French version with brewed coffee, because that is what makes the drink easy to make at home.

What is the difference between café au lait and caffè latte?

This is the question we most often get about this particular drink, and the difference is simpler than many people think. It primarily lies in the coffee base and the amount of foam:

Café au lait
Coffee base: Brewed coffee (filter coffee)
Milk: Hot, lightly steamed milk
Coffee/milk ratio: Approx. 1:1
Foam: Little to none
Taste: Mild, rounded, coffee-forward
Served in: Large cup or bowl

Caffè latte
Coffee base: Espresso
Milk: Steamed milk
Coffee/milk ratio: Approx. 1:3 (more milk)
Foam: Thin layer of microfoam
Taste: Softer, more milky
Served in: Tall glass or large cup

In short: a café au lait tastes more of the coffee itself because it is based on brewed coffee and contains less milk compared to a latte. If you are curious about other espresso drinks, we also have guides to cappuccino, flat whiteand cortado.

How to make a café au lait?

The great thing about a café au lait is that you don't need an espresso machine. If you have a coffee maker, French press, or pour-over and a saucepan for the milk, you're all set. Here's how we do it:

Brew your coffee strong. Use freshly ground beans and brew a full-bodied, slightly strong filter coffee; it needs to be noticeable through the milk.
Heat the milk. Gently heat the milk on the stovetop or with a milk frother. It should be warm and smooth, not boiling, and only lightly frothed.
Mix in equal parts. Pour coffee and warm milk simultaneously and in roughly equal amounts into a large mug or bowl.
Taste and adjust. If you want it milder, add a little more milk. If you want more character, increase the coffee.

A little barista tip: the better the bean, the less you need to hide it behind milk. A freshly roasted bean with distinct notes of chocolate or nuts perfectly complements warm milk.

Which beans are best for a café au lait?

Because milk softens the flavor, a café au lait works best with a bean that has a bit of body and sweetness to offer. At Copenhagen Coffee Lab, we roast all our beans in our own roastery in Copenhagen and always send coffee that has been roasted within the last 10 days, and that makes a difference when the coffee needs to stand out through the milk.

We typically recommend a medium to dark roasted bean with notes of chocolate and nuts for milk drinks. Find your favorite in ourpre-ground coffeefor filter and brewed coffee, or explore the full selection offreshly roasted beans.

Why choose a café au lait?

A café au lait is everyday coffee at its best: large, warm, and no fuss. It's for you who love a mild, milky cup but still want to taste the coffee, and who perhaps doesn't have an espresso machine but can easily brew a good cup of filter coffee. It's a coffee that suits a quiet morning, a long forenoon, or an afternoon break with something sweet on the side.

Conclusion, Copenhagen Coffee Lab perspective

For us, café au lait is a fine example that good coffee doesn't have to be complicated. It requires neither an espresso machine nor special equipment, just a proper brewed coffee, some warm milk, and a good bean at the bottom. And that's exactly where we come in: the fresher and better roasted the bean, the more life even the simplest cup gets. Use one of our freshly roasted coffees, and give your morning café au lait the character it deserves.

FAQ

Is a cafe au lait the same as a latte?

No. A café au lait is made with brewed coffee and hot milk in roughly equal parts, while a caffè latte is made with espresso with more milk and a thin layer of microfoam. A café au lait tastes more of the coffee itself.

How much caffeine is in a café au lait?

It depends on how strong your brewed coffee is and how much coffee you use relative to the milk. Milk does not contain caffeine, so the amount of caffeine will be determined by your coffee. If you want it without, you can use decaffeinated coffee.

Can I make café au lait without an espresso machine?

Yes, that's precisely the point. You brew regular filter coffee and mix it with hot milk, so you don't need an espresso machine or advanced equipment.

Can I use plant-based milk?

Yes. Oat and soy milk work well and make for a smooth cup. Feel free to choose a barista variant if you want a bit more body and a creamy consistency.

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