If you have ever stood at a coffee counter unsure whether to order a café au lait or a latte, you are not alone. Both are coffee drinks with steamed milk. Both are served in similar-sized cups. But they are fundamentally different drinks made from different types of coffee — and once you understand the difference, you will always know which one to order.
What Is a Café au Lait?
Café au lait (pronounced ka-FAY oh LAY) is French for “coffee with milk.” It is made by combining equal parts strong brewed drip coffee or French press coffee with hot steamed milk. The ratio is traditionally 1:1 — half coffee, half milk.
Café au lait originated in France, where it is a staple of the morning routine — often served in a wide bowl-shaped cup and paired with a croissant or baguette. In New Orleans, it is made with chicory coffee and is one of the city’s most beloved café traditions.
What Is a Latte?
A caffè latte (the full Italian name) is made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk, typically in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio (espresso to milk). The milk is steamed with microfoam — tiny, velvety air bubbles incorporated throughout the milk to create a smooth, creamy texture.
The latte is an espresso-based drink. This is the fundamental difference: where café au lait uses brewed coffee, a latte uses espresso.
Café au Lait vs Latte: Side-by-Side
| Café au Lait | Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee base | Drip or French press | Espresso (double shot) |
| Coffee:milk ratio | 1:1 | 1:3 to 1:4 |
| Milk texture | Steamed, no microfoam needed | Microfoamed, velvety |
| Flavor | Lighter, more diluted coffee taste | Rich, concentrated espresso base |
| Caffeine (12 oz) | ~95–130mg | ~120–160mg |
| Equipment needed | Drip machine or French press | Espresso machine |
Which Tastes Better: Café au Lait or Latte?
Neither is objectively better — they offer different experiences.
Café au lait tastes: Lighter, more subtly coffee-flavored, slightly thinner in body. The drip coffee base means the flavor depends heavily on the coffee beans used. A good café au lait with excellent single-origin beans can be complex and nuanced.
Latte tastes: Richer, creamier, with a more intense espresso character cutting through the milk. The microfoamed milk gives it a velvety texture that café au lait lacks. Most people find lattes more satisfying as a standalone drink.
If you do not have an espresso machine, café au lait is the better option — it is how many European homes make coffee with milk every morning, and it is excellent when made with a quality French press or pour over.
How to Make a Café au Lait at Home
- Brew strong coffee — use slightly more coffee than usual (1:14 ratio instead of 1:16)
- Steam or heat milk separately to about 150°F
- Combine in a 1:1 ratio in a wide cup or bowl
- Optional: dust with cinnamon or cocoa powder
The New Orleans version adds chicory to the coffee for a distinctive earthy, slightly bitter note that pairs beautifully with the milk. Café Du Monde Coffee with Chicory is the most iconic version and is available to ship nationwide. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is café au lait just coffee with milk?
Yes, essentially. But “just coffee with milk” undersells it — the equal ratio of strong coffee to steamed milk creates a very specific balance that makes it a distinct drink worth ordering intentionally.
Can I make a café au lait with espresso?
Technically that becomes closer to a cortado or a flat white, depending on the ratio. A true café au lait uses brewed coffee, not espresso.
Which has more caffeine, café au lait or latte?
They are comparable. A 12 oz café au lait with strong drip coffee has about 95–130mg caffeine. A 12 oz latte with a double espresso has about 120–160mg.
What is a New Orleans café au lait?
It uses a blend of coffee and chicory root instead of plain coffee. The chicory adds an earthy, slightly woody note and reduces the bitterness. It is traditionally served with beignets.
Is a flat white the same as café au lait?
No. A flat white is espresso-based (like a latte) with a higher coffee-to-milk ratio. Café au lait uses brewed coffee. They are different drinks with different flavors and textures.
Café au lait is the ideal morning coffee drink for people who find lattes too rich or espresso too intense. For more on milk-based espresso drinks, see our guides on what is a flat white and what is a cortado.
