Café con Leche: What It Is, How to Make It, and How It Differs From a Latte

Café con leche is espresso (or strong coffee) combined with an equal amount of hot scalded whole milk — usually 1:1 — to create a milky, mellow morning coffee that’s richer than a regular coffee with cream but less diluted than a latte. The name is Spanish for “coffee with milk,” and it’s the standard morning drink across Spain, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and much of Latin America. It sounds simple because it is. The craft is in the milk: traditionally it’s scalded on the stovetop rather than steamed, giving it a slightly thicker, richer texture with a subtle cooked flavor that shapes the entire character of the drink. ...

April 15, 2026 · 7 min · Barista At Home