Café au Lait
Writing about my coffee routine may seem a little unexpected, but this simple homemade café au lait has become one of my favorite everyday pleasures. For years, I loved starting the morning with a latte. I had an espresso machine at home, and most days I made two lattes for myself and often one or two more for my husband. It felt like a small morning ritual, almost like playing barista in my own kitchen. Then one day, the machine stopped working, and just like that, my morning espresso routine was over.
I have enjoyed coffee since I was a little girl. When we went out to breakfast, my dad would let me take a sip or two from his cup. He drank his coffee black with sugar, and I remember thinking it tasted grown-up and special. I do not really remember my parents making coffee at home, but once I got to college, coffee became part of my regular life. I drank it black back then and kept a small percolator in my dorm room, and later in my apartment.
The real change came during the summer between my junior and senior years of college, when I backpacked through Europe with my best friend. It was one of those unforgettable trips that stays with you forever. We had so many adventures, saw so many places, and made memories that still feel vivid years later. That trip was also when I started drinking milk in my coffee. In Europe, it had a lovely name: café au lait. We ordered it everywhere, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to enjoy coffee.
Near the end of that trip, we took a long train ride from Barcelona to Paris. We arrived in Paris around five in the morning, exhausted, hungry, and in desperate need of showers. The first café we found looked like heaven, so we sat down at the bar and ordered café au lait. What arrived were big, beautiful cups of hot coffee mixed with warm milk. Then a basket of fresh, warm croissants was placed in front of us. Tired and hungry as we were, those croissants and that coffee felt like the most perfect breakfast in the world.
We assumed the croissants were complimentary, so we ate the entire basket. When the bill arrived, we discovered that every croissant had been added to the total. I still remember our faces. I think we had eaten six of them. For two penny-pinching backpackers trying to stretch our money for two and a half months, it was a lesson learned the hard way. Still, it remains one of my favorite travel memories.
After my espresso machine finally gave out, I decided not to replace it right away. Instead, I bought a simple drip coffee maker. At first, I thought I would miss my lattes terribly, but then I discovered an easy way to make hot, foamed milk at home without any special equipment. That is when café au lait became my new morning coffee.
A classic café au lait is made with equal parts strong brewed coffee and hot milk. A latte, on the other hand, is made with espresso. I learned that distinction during my senior year of college, when I actually worked as a barista. The foam can be a matter of preference, but I like a little creamy foam on top. It makes the drink feel cozy, rich, and just a bit more special.
The method is simple. Fill a small mason jar halfway with milk, screw the lid on tightly, and shake it vigorously for about 30 seconds. Then remove the lid and microwave the milk for about 25 seconds. The heat helps set the foam. Pour strong brewed coffee into a large mug until it is about halfway full, then add the warm milk and stir. Spoon the foam over the top and swirl it gently. That is all it takes to make a warm, comforting café au lait at home.
You do not need a fancy espresso machine or expensive coffee shop equipment to enjoy a delicious homemade café au lait. With strong coffee, warm milk, and a mason jar, you can make a simple, satisfying cup in just a few minutes. It is easy, comforting, and perfect for a slow morning at home.
Enjoy, Kelly
Café au Lait
Café au Lait
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
- Strong brewed coffee
- Low-fat milk, such as 1% milk
Instructions
- Fill a small mason jar about halfway with milk. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds. Remove the lid and microwave the milk for about 25 seconds.
- Pour strong brewed coffee into a large coffee cup until it is halfway full. Add the warm milk and stir. Spoon some of the foam on top and swirl gently before serving.
