The difference between a cafe au lait and a latte comes down to the type of coffee used and how it is combined with milk. A cafe au lait is typically made with drip coffee, then mixed with hot milk in roughly equal parts. A latte, on the other hand, starts with a shot of espresso, which is then blended with steamed milk and finished with a light layer of foam. 

If you want a deeper look at taste, caffeine levels, and how each drink is prepared, keep reading this cafe au lait vs latte guide for a full breakdown.

 

Key Takeaways

• The main difference between cafe au lait and latte is the coffee base, 
• Cafe au lait uses drip coffee, while latte uses espresso
• A latte has a richer, creamier texture with light foam, while cafe au lait is smoother and thinner with no foam
• Cafe au lait often has slightly more caffeine in a standard serving, but the difference is small and depends on how the latte is made
• Adding extra espresso shots can easily make a latte stronger in both flavor and caffeine than cafe au lait

 

What is Cafe au Lait?

A cafe au lait is a coffee drink made with roughly 50% drip coffee and 50% steamed or heated milk. 

However, drip coffee is not the only method you’ll see. Some versions use a French press or pour-over. The drink is still the same, as long as the base is still regular brewed coffee and not espresso.

Another key detail is the milk texture. In a cafe au lait, the milk is heated or lightly steamed, but it usually is not stretched into a thick foam the way latte milk is. A latte has distinct layers, espresso, steamed milk, and a light cap of foam, while cafe au lait blends more evenly and feels smoother, lighter, and less velvety overall.

 

How to Make Cafe au Lait

Making cafe au lait at home is simple, which is part of its appeal. You do not need an espresso machine or any advanced milk frothing setup.

1. Brew your coffee a little stronger than usual so the flavor still comes through once milk is added. 
2. Heat your milk on the stove or steam it gently until hot. Do not froth it heavily. The goal is smooth, hot milk, not a thick foam.
3. Pour the brewed coffee into a cup, filling it about halfway.
4. Add an equal amount of hot milk to create that classic 50/50 balance.
5. Stir gently and serve right away. You can adjust the ratio slightly to taste, but cafe au lait is best when the coffee and milk stay balanced.

 

How to Prepare a Latte?

A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso, steamed milk, and a light layer of milk foam. Unlike cafe au lait, which uses brewed coffee, a latte is built on espresso.

The typical ratio for a latte is about 1 part espresso to 3 parts steamed milk and foam. In most cases, you will have a single or double shot of espresso.

Here is how to make a latte:

1. Brew a shot or double shot of espresso using an espresso machine.
2. Steam your milk until it is hot and slightly textured, with a silky consistency rather than large bubbles.
3. Pour the espresso into a cup as your base.
4. Add the steamed milk, holding back the foam at first.
5. Finish by adding a thin layer of milk foam on top to complete the drink.

The key to a great latte is getting that texture right. The milk should feel smooth and velvety, so it blends seamlessly with the espresso rather than sitting separately.

Pro tip: The type of milk you use for a latte can significantly change the flavor. Check out which milks work best for lattes and what you can expect from each.

 

Cafe au Lait vs Latte – What Is the Difference?

 

Aspect	Cafe au Lait	Latte
Coffee base	Brewed coffee, usually drip or French press	Espresso
Ingredients	Coffee and hot milk	Coffee and hot milk
Size	Typically 12, 16, 20 oz	Typically 12, 16, 20, 32 oz
Taste	More like regular coffee, lighter and less rich	Creamier, richer, more pronounced coffee flavor
Texture	Smooth but thinner, no foam structure	Velvety, layered with a light foam on top
Strength	Milder, less concentrated	Stronger, more concentrated due to espresso
Caffeine	Often higher per cup due to larger coffee volume	Lower per cup but more concentrated per ounce

 

Make sure to check out these 22 types of lattes if you want to explore new flavors and styles.

 

Caffeine Comparison

When it comes to caffeine, cafe au lait will usually contain more than a latte, but the reason is simple. This is really a comparison between drip coffee and espresso.

 

Drip coffee is less concentrated per ounce, but you drink a lot more of it. Espresso is highly concentrated, but served in much smaller amounts. That difference changes how caffeine shows up in each drink.

Let’s break it down using a standard 12-oz serving for both:

• A 12 oz cup of drip coffee has about 150 mg of caffeine
• A single shot of espresso has about 64 mg of caffeine

Now apply that to each drink:

• Cafe au lait is 50 percent coffee and 50 percent milk, so in a 12-oz cup, you get about 6 oz of drip coffee. That means roughly 75 mg of caffeine in a cafe au lait.
• A latte with one shot of espresso contains about 64 mg of caffeine.

So yes, cafe au lait comes out slightly higher, but the difference is not huge. The important detail is flexibility. If you add another shot of espresso to your latte, which is very common, the caffeine jumps to around 128 mg. At that point, the latte easily surpasses cafe au lait.

 

Can You Make Cafe au Lait Iced?

Yes, you can make an iced cafe au lait, even though it is traditionally served hot. The concept stays the same, you just swap hot milk for cold and serve it over ice.

To make it, brew your coffee as usual, preferably a bit stronger so it does not get diluted. Let it cool, then pour it over ice and add an equal amount of cold milk.

 

What is Iced Latte?

An iced latte is a cold coffee drink made by combining hot espresso with cold milk and ice. The espresso is brewed fresh and poured over ice, then cold milk is added.

In terms of flavor, iced lattes tend to taste slightly sharper than their hot counterparts. The cold temperature highlights the espresso’s intensity, while the milk still adds balance and a touch of sweetness.

 

Latte vs Other Coffee Drinks

Since latte is one of the most popular brews, there are a lot of variations and interest in comparisons to other coffee styles. You may find these interesting:

• Flat White vs Cappuccino vs Latte
• Cold Brew vs Latte
• Macchiato vs Latte
• Cortado vs Latte
• Americano vs Latte
• Mocha vs Latte 

 

FAQ

Does a latte taste more bitter?

A latte can taste slightly more bitter than cafe au lait, but it depends on the espresso and how it is prepared. Espresso has a more concentrated flavor, which can bring out sharper, more intense notes.

That said, the large amount of steamed milk in a latte softens that bitterness quite a bit. In most cases, a well-made latte tastes smooth and balanced rather than harsh.

Does a cafe au lait taste weak?

A cafe au lait can taste lighter, but not necessarily weak. Because it uses brewed coffee instead of espresso, the flavor is less concentrated and more familiar, similar to regular coffee with milk.

Many people actually prefer this profile because it feels easier to drink. The key is using slightly stronger brewed coffee so the flavor still stands out after adding milk.

Which one has more caffeine?

In most cases, cafe au lait has slightly more caffeine than a standard latte. This comes down to using drip coffee, which adds more total liquid coffee to the cup.

However, the difference is not huge. A latte can easily have more caffeine if you add extra espresso shots, which is very common in larger sizes.