Skip to content
CoffeeHQ

Café au lait

Strong brewed filter coffee combined with roughly equal parts hot steamed or scalded milk, a French tradition distinct from espresso-based milk drinks since it starts from filter coffee rather than espresso.

Coffee dose
20g
Yield
240ml
Milk
120ml
Intensity
medium
Preparation time
5 min
Skill level
beginner

Caffeine estimate

Approximately 90-110mg (240ml serving, strong filter coffee base).

Well established

Brewing method

Made using French press.

Steps

  1. Brew a strong batch of filter coffee.
  2. Heat milk until hot but not boiling.
  3. Combine roughly equal parts coffee and hot milk.

Equipment

Regional preparation traditions this drink belongs to or comes from, in CoffeeHQ's international preparation atlas.

Step-by-step techniques this drink depends on, each with what to change when it does not work.

Milk that suits it

How each behaves when steamed — foaming, stability and splitting risk. No health comparisons.