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New Orleans Style Cafe Au Lait Recipe

Experience the rich, bold flavor of a true New Orleans Cafe au Lait! This recipe uses a dark roast coffee blend with chicory, a crucial ingredient for that signature Crescent City taste. We'll guide you through brewing the perfect cup using a drip coffee maker, then perfectly scalding (not steaming!) the milk to create the ideal balance of coffee and creamy goodness. Discover the difference between ordinary coffee and this iconic New Orleans beverage, made with your choice of renowned local brands like French Market, Community Coffee, Cafe Du Monde, or Union. Get ready to savor a taste of New Orleans!

Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Calories 78.2 kcal
Protein 8g
Rating 4.8 (5 Reviews)
New Orleans Style Cafe Au Lait 11

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Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for New Orleans Style Cafe Au Lait

  • 2 tablespoons New Orleans-style dark roast coffee and chicory blend (French Market, Community Coffee, Cafe Du Monde, or Union preferred)
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • Sugar

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How to Make New Orleans Style Cafe Au Lait

  1. Heat 4 cups of filtered water to 204-208°F (96-98°C). Do not boil.
  2. Place 2 tablespoons of your favorite New Orleans-style dark roast coffee and chicory blend (e.g., French Market, Community Coffee) into a drip coffee filter.
  3. Gently pour a small amount of the hot water over the grounds to bloom them. Let stand for 30 seconds.
  4. Slowly pour the remaining hot water over the grounds, ensuring even saturation.
  5. Allow the coffee to drip completely.
  6. In a separate saucepan, gently heat 2 cups of whole milk over medium-low heat. The milk should reach just below the boiling point; it should be scalded, not boiled.
  7. Warm your mugs with hot water, then empty them.
  8. Pour equal parts (1 cup each) of freshly brewed coffee and scalded milk into each mug.
  9. Add sugar or other sweetener to taste.
  10. Serve immediately and enjoy your authentic New Orleans Cafe au Lait!

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

2 g

Sugar

0g

Fat

13g

Carbs

1g

Recipe Categories (Choose a category and find related recipes!)

Breakfast & Brunch Drinks & Cocktails European French The Americas American Cajun & Creole Southern Vegetarian Gluten Free

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

15 Minutes Or Less Time To Make Course Cuisine Preparation North American Low Protein 5 Ingredients Or Less Very Low Carbs Beverages American Southern United States Easy Dietary Low Sodium Low Cholesterol Low Calorie Low Carb Low In Something Presentation Served Hot