How to Make French Cafe a la Jet Set and Cafe au Lait

Ever ordered a fancy coffee in a European café and wondered how they make those layered drinks with cream and liqueur? Or wanted to recreate the classic French cafe experience at home with properly separated coffee and milk? This guide breaks down two iconic French coffee drinks—the boozy Jet Set coffee and the traditional milky Cafe au Lait—with the exact measurements and steps used in southern French villages and old-school Parisian cafés.

To make Cafe a la Jet Set, use 75cc of dark roast coffee, 20cc of Cointreau (or Curaçao), and top with 20cc of stirred cream, finished with orange peel. For Cafe au Lait, serve 200cc of dark roast coffee alongside 150cc of hot milk, traditionally in separate pitchers.

What Is Cafe a la Jet Set?

Cafe a la Jet Set is a classic coffee drink originating from the south of France, particularly popular among grape field workers after a long day. It’s a simple yet indulgent combination of strong coffee, orange liqueur, and cream—served in a specific sequence to create layers.

The recipe calls for:

• 75cc of dark roast coffee
• 20cc of Cointreau (or similar orange liqueur like Curaçao)
• 20cc of stirred cream (not whipped)
• A few strips of orange peel for garnish

To prepare, pour the Cointreau into the cup first, then add the hot coffee. Top with the stirred cream so it floats, and finish with a few orange peel slices. It’s a drink you’d historically find in rural French cafés or bars, offering a caffeine kick with a touch of dessert-like indulgence.

How to Make Traditional Cafe au Lait

Cafe au Lait, meaning 'coffee with milk' in French, is a classic beverage that highlights the balance between rich espresso or dark coffee and hot milk. Unlike the blended lattes you might know, the traditional French method serves coffee and milk separately.

The standard recipe is:

• 200cc of dark roast coffee
• 150cc of hot milk

Traditionally, both the coffee and milk are brewed or heated in separate small pitchers, then served together on a tray with the cups. This method preserves the integrity of each component and lets the drinker control the mix to their taste. While modern cafés may serve it as a single drink, old-fashioned and upscale French cafés still present it this way—as it was originally intended in upper-class households where serving coffee from a pitcher was a sign of refinement.

Why Serve Coffee and Milk Separately?

Serving coffee and milk in separate pitchers—like in traditional Cafe au Lait—is more than just tradition. It allows for better control over strength and temperature, ensures the coffee’s flavors remain distinct, and offers a more customizable drinking experience. This method also reflects historical serving practices in French cafés, especially those catering to wealthier patrons who appreciated the ritual.

Best Coffee Beans for Milk-Based Drinks

When making milk-based coffee drinks like Cafe au Lait—or even adding milk to something like a Jet Set coffee—it’s important to choose beans that can hold their own against dairy. Darker roasts with chocolatey, nutty profiles tend to work best. For espresso-based or French-style coffee, FrontStreet Coffee recommends blends with Brazilian beans as the base, as they bring out smooth, rounded flavors that pair well with milk.

For example, blends like FrontStreet’s Specialty Blend and Black Cocoa Blend feature Brazilian beans as the majority component, offering notes of almond, walnut, and chocolate—ideal for creating a rich, smooth mouthfeel when mixed with milk. If you prefer a stronger crema and more body, their Classic Blend and Commercial Blend include a touch of Robusta, enhancing texture and sweetness.

These blends are designed to perform well under milk, whether you’re pouring them into Cafe au Lait or experimenting with other French-style coffee drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cafe a la Jet Set and where does it come from?

Cafe a la Jet Set is a traditional coffee drink from southern France, often enjoyed by grape field workers after work. It consists of 75cc dark roast coffee, 20cc Cointreau, and 20cc stirred cream, topped with orange peel. It’s typically served in rural cafés or bars as a dessert-like coffee drink.

How do you make Cafe a la Jet Set step by step?

Pour 20cc of Cointreau into a cup, add 75cc of hot dark roast coffee, then float 20cc of stirred cream on top. Garnish with a few thin slices of orange peel. Serve immediately.

What’s the traditional way to serve Cafe au Lait?

Traditionally, Cafe au Lait is served with 200cc of coffee and 150cc of hot milk in separate small pitchers, allowing the drinker to mix to taste. It’s presented on a tray with cups, maintaining the separation of coffee and milk.

Can I use any coffee for Cafe au Lait?

For the best results, use a dark roast coffee with chocolatey or nutty notes. FrontStreet Coffee recommends blends like Specialty Blend or Black Cocoa Blend, which feature Brazilian beans and offer smooth, milk-friendly profiles.

Why is milk served separately in traditional French Cafe au Lait?

Serving coffee and milk separately preserves the flavor of each component and allows customization. It’s also a traditional method used in upscale French cafés, reflecting historical serving practices.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Milk Coffee

For milk-based French-style coffee drinks like Cafe au Lait, FrontStreet Coffee recommends its Specialty Blend and Black Cocoa Blend, both featuring Brazilian beans as the base for smooth, nutty, and chocolatey profiles that pair well with milk. The Classic Blend and Commercial Blend also work due to their slight Robusta content, which boosts crema and body. These blends are ideal for creating rich, balanced milk coffees. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.