What is a Cafe Misto? Everything You Need to Know

Visiting your local coffee shop can be stressful when you don’t know what half the drinks on the menu are. But hopefully, after reading this, you will find a new go-to drink. We will be talking about what a misto coffee is and the difference between it and a latte. 

 Keep reading to learn more!

What is a Cafe Misto?

 A cafe misto is half brewed coffee and half steamed milk. Sounds simple right? It’s also known as “Cafe Au Lait,” which when translated means “coffee with milk.” Cafe Misto is probably easier to pronounce for most of us, so this is the term we’ll use going forward. 

 Moreover, it’s a one-to-one ratio of coffee and steamed milk, but you can enhance the flavor by choosing a darker roast. It has a strong coffee taste but a smooth finish! It’s also very easy to make at home if you want to save a few bucks and stop going to your local coffee shop.

 How to Make a Misto Coffee at Home 

1. Brew Coffee. You can brew it any way you like – use your favorite method, whether that’s french press or drip coffee. 
2. Heat Your Milk. While your java brews, you can heat your milk on the stove and frequently mix it with a whisk or milk frother. It doesn’t have to be boiling, just hot. 
3. Mix and Enjoy! Once your coffee is brewed, fill up your cup halfway and fill up the rest with hot milk.

 Note: You can always add some extra flavor by adding flavored syrup. You could add many flavors, such as vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, or even pumpkin spice, for the pumpkin spice lovers out there! 

 What is the Difference Between a Cafe Misto and a Latte?

 Wondering the difference between a caffe misto vs a latte? The major difference is a latte includes a shot of espresso and steamed milk with a light layer of foam on top. A latte is made with espresso, while a misto coffee is made with filter coffee. 

 Here are some other notable differences between the two: 

 1. Ratio

 A latte typically is one part espresso and two parts milk. It varies depending on the recipes coffee shops or people use. You will never get a one-to-one ratio though, that will be too strong for most people.

 2. Caffeine

 Because a misto coffee’s ratio is equal parts, the java is normally made with a stronger dark roast coffee. It also has more caffeine than a latte.

 Comparing one cup of coffee, cafe misto has anywhere from 86 to 110 mg of caffeine. On the other hand, a latte only has 68 mg of caffeine. This can vary depending on how the coffee is brewed. 

 3. Milk 

 Either beverage can be made with any type of milk (whole, almond, soy, etc). However, a latte is normally used with whole milk because it gives the best foam. 

 4. Calories

 If calories are something you look after, a misto coffee would be more for you. Of course, it depends on how your drink is made. There are only about 43 to 73 calories in a misto coffee depending on the milk used. On the other hand, because it uses more milk, a latte can have anywhere from 65 to 110 calories. 

 5. Flavor 

 A cafe misto isn’t sweet but can be by adding flavored syrup, maple syrup, or sugar. This drink is more favorable for those who enjoy black coffee with a smooth texture. A latte has more milk which makes it less bitter.  

What is the Difference Between Caffe Misto and Cafe Au Lait?

 Although we said earlier that caffe misto means cafe au lait in French, there may be differences in how it’s made depending on where or who makes it. 

 If you are ordering a Caffe misto at Starbucks, it’s prepared the same with equal parts coffee and steamed milk. But a cafe au lait, which can be found in many coffee shops, can be made differently. 

 An original cafe au lait is made with regular hot milk and isn’t steamed (although certain coffee shops, like Starbucks, still use steamed milk). Besides those slight differences, there isn’t anything else that separates the two drinks. 

 Try a Cafe Misto Today!

 It can be difficult to know what’s in the drink you’re ordering when most look similar. We hope this helped you understand what a cafe misto is and the differences there are between not only itself but a latte. Whichever way you decide to try it, not only is it budget-friendly, it’s also easy to make at home!