New Orleans-style café au lait
New Orleans-style café au lait is a signature morning beverage made by mixing strong, dark-roasted coffee brewed with chicory root with an equal part of hot, scalded milk. This iconic drink is a staple of the city's French-inspired café culture, most famously associated with the historic Café du Monde in the French Quarter. It is traditionally served alongside warm, powdered-sugar-dusted beignets.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This beverage is primarily a source of carbohydrates from lactose in the milk and added sugar, with a moderate amount of protein and fat from the dairy. It provides a good source of calcium and some B vitamins, with a typical serving containing roughly 100-150 calories, depending on the milk type and sugar added.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 130 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbs | 14 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 80 mg |
| Calcium | 200 mg |
| Potassium | 250 mg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 µg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.3 mg |
| Cobalamin (B12) | 0.9 µg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Selenium | 6 µg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The use of chicory root, a practice adopted during the Civil War when coffee was scarce, adds a unique, slightly woody and bitter depth that balances the sweetness of the milk and any added sugar. Nutritionally, chicory root is a source of inulin, a type of prebiotic fiber that can support gut health.
