Vanilla-Hazelnut Café au Lait
Nothing says cozy quite like a steaming cup of café au lait, but this Vanilla-Hazelnut Café au Lait takes the beloved classic to a whole new level.
Fragrant vanilla swirls together with the rich, nutty sweetness of hazelnut, creating a drink that’s elegant enough for a café menu yet simple enough to make at home.
Whether you’re savoring a quiet morning or entertaining friends after dinner, this indulgent twist delivers comforting aroma and sophisticated flavor in every sip.
Vanilla-Hazelnut Café au Lait
Equipment
- Coffee brewer (French press, drip or pour-over)
- Milk steamer or small saucepan + whisk
- Spoon for stirring
- Cup or latte glass
Ingredients
- ½ cup Strong brewed coffee (e.g. French Press or drip, bold roast) (≈120 ml) Use freshly ground beans for best flavor.
- ½ cup Whole milk (or 2% / oat / almond if dairy-free) (≈120 ml) Steamed, with a light foam.
- 1 tbsp Vanilla syrup Or use vanilla extract + a little sugar if you prefer.
- ½ tbsp Hazelnut syrup Adjust up/down to taste.
- Optional garnish chopped toasted hazelnuts; a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder
Instructions
- Brew the coffee: Brew roughly ½ cup strong coffee. If using drip, use a more concentrated ratio (e.g. 1:14 instead of 1:18) or use French press with coarser grind.
- Prepare the milk: Steam the milk until it’s hot (around 150-160°F / 65-70°C), creating light froth on top. If you don’t have a steamer, heat gently in a saucepan and whisk vigorously to get some foam.
- Flavor the base: In your mug, add vanilla syrup + hazelnut syrup. Pour in the brewed coffee and stir to combine so the syrups dissolve.
- Add the milk: Slowly pour the steamed milk over the coffee mixture, holding back foam with a spoon. Then spoon the foam on top for texture.
- Garnish & serve: Sprinkle a few chopped toasted hazelnuts over the foam. Optionally, dust lightly with cinnamon or cocoa powder.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Adjust sweetness: You can substitute syrups with natural sweeteners (maple syrup, honey) or even flavored sugars.
- Alternative milks: Hazelnut flavor plays nicely with oat or almond milk. For dairy-free, steam oat milk well (helps with foam).
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cinnamon into the milk while steaming.
- Make it iced: Brew strong, chill the coffee; cold-froth or shake the milk mixture over ice.
With its warm hazelnut depth and soft vanilla aroma, this Vanilla-Hazelnut Café au Lait turns an everyday cup of coffee into something memorable.
The hazelnut adds a toasty, nutty richness, while the vanilla gently smooths the coffee’s natural bitterness, creating a perfectly balanced sip.
And because it stays true to the classic café au lait formula, equal parts strong coffee and silky steamed milk. It feels both familiar and delightfully gourmet.
Serve it as a morning indulgence or an after-dinner treat and enjoy a café-quality experience right at home.