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    Home / Breakfast / New Orleans Café au Lait

    New Orleans Café au Lait

    Strong chicory coffee blended with steamed hot milk, the classic morning drink of New Orleans coffee houses.

    ⏱ 5 minPrep time
    🔥 5 minCook time
    🍽 2Servings
    🏷 BreakfastCategory
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    Café au lait is the morning ritual of New Orleans — strong coffee brewed with chicory, blended half-and-half with hot milk until it’s rich and velvety. Paired with beignets at Café du Monde, it’s the most famous coffee ritual in America.

    Chef Emily presents New Orleans Cafe au Lait

    The New Orleans coffee ritual

    Strong chicory coffee blended with steamed hot milk — the classic morning drink of the Crescent City.

    Louisiana / Cajun-Creole recipes →

    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Brew the chicory coffee strong, using a French press or drip maker.
    2. Heat the milk until steaming, then froth it slightly.
    3. Pour equal parts hot milk and coffee into large cups.
    4. Stir gently and serve immediately — the classic companion to beignets.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Chicory is essential — it gives the coffee its signature slightly bitter, earthy depth. Use a 1:1 ratio of coffee to hot milk for the authentic balance.

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    Recipe details

    Prep5 min
    Cook5 min
    Servings2
    CategoryBreakfast
    PublishedAugust 16, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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