In Italian bars you are certainly used to drinking cappuccino, but if you have ever traveled to Spain or Latin America, you have certainly come across "café con leche", a very similar drink. It is made with hot espresso and milk, served sweetened or bitter, according to individual preferences. Making this delicious drink is easier than you can imagine, so try it instead of your usual morning coffee!
Ingrediants
- Grinded coffee
- Waterfall
- Milk
- Sugar, condensed milk, or artificial sweetener (optional)
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Making the Coffee
Step 1. Pour the water into a saucepan
You need 500ml of water to make enough coffee for four people. If you need to make two cups of café con leche instead, you can halve the doses and use only 250 ml of water.
If you have an espresso machine, you can use it as an alternative to this method
Step 2. Add the coffee
Pour 120 g of it into the pot; if you are making the drink for two people, limit it to 60g. You can use any type of coffee you like, but roasted espresso is the best; as you add the powder to the water, mix to incorporate the two ingredients.
Step 3. Heat the mixture on the stove until it comes to a boil
Raise the heat to medium-high and boil the coffee; then reduce the heat and let it simmer for five minutes.
- Remember to mix from time to time.
- If the coffee boils excessively and starts to overflow, immediately remove the pan from the heat.
Step 4. Filter the drink
After five minutes the coffee is ready; remove the saucepan from the stove and pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to retain the funds.
Use a large cup or other heat-resistant container to hold the drink
Part 2 of 3: Add the Milk
Step 1. Pour half a liter of milk into a medium-sized saucepan
You can use the type of milk you prefer; the whole cow's milk has a more intense and rich aroma, while the skim one is leaner and lighter. If you don't like animal products, you can opt for coconut, soy, or almond milk.
Measure 500 ml of milk and pour it into a pan; if you are making the drink for two people, use only 250ml
Step 2. Turn on the stove over medium heat
Heat the milk until it starts to boil and then reduce the heat, letting the liquid simmer for a minute or two; stir from time to time, to avoid the formation of the unpleasant film.
If you have a milk frother, you can use it to create the foam; work the milk until it doubles in volume
Step 3. Remove the saucepan from the heat
Once the milk is heated, remove it from the stove and pour it into the coffee pot; mix the two liquids to combine them evenly. Leave the café con leche in the pan to be able to sweeten it according to your tastes.
If you prefer the bitter drink, you can simply pour it into the cups as is and serve it; it should be enough for four people
Part 3 of 3: Sweeten the Coffee
Step 1. Add the condensed milk
An easy way to sweeten this drink is to add 120ml of sweetened condensed milk, which also gives it a richer flavor; you can also opt for a flavored product, such as hazelnut, vanilla or chocolate.
- Dose 120ml (or 60ml if you are preparing the drink for two people) of condensed milk and add it to the pot; if you love less sweet flavors, reduce the quantity. Stir the ingredients until they are well blended.
- Since condensed milk can cool the coffee slightly, you can heat it over medium-low heat for a couple of minutes.
Step 2. Pour in some sugar
This is another solution to sweeten the café con leche. Use as much as you want, according to your tastes; this way, you can control the sweetness of the drink without adding other fats.
- At the beginning, put a couple of spoonfuls of it and mix to dissolve it completely; taste the drink and, if you wish, add some more.
- You can also use honey, agave syrup or brown sugar to give slightly different aromas; always start with a couple of tablespoons and change the dose after a taste.
Step 3. Try a sweetener
If you don't want to put real sugar but love sweet café con leche, you can use alternatives, such as stevia or artificial sweeteners.
