“Cafe noisette” is a delightful French coffee drink that consists of a shot of espresso with a small amount of steamed milk, giving it a nutty color and a smooth texture.
This drink is a perfect choice for those who enjoy the strong flavor of espresso but want a touch of creaminess. The name “noisette” means hazelnut, referring to the color rather than the flavor of the drink.
History and Origin
The cafe noisette has been a fixture of French cafe culture for well over a century. The name comes from the French word “noisette,” meaning “hazelnut” – not because the drink contains hazelnut, but because the tiny amount of milk turns the espresso to a warm, hazelnut-brown color. It is one of those beautifully simple French coffee inventions that exists in the sweet spot between a straight espresso and a milky cafe creme. The noisette became popular among people who wanted to soften their espresso just slightly without committing to a full milky drink.
How It’s Made
The cafe noisette starts with a standard single shot of espresso. The barista then adds a very small amount of steamed milk – just a teaspoon or two, enough to change the color and slightly soften the flavor. This is not a large pour of milk like you would find in a latte or creme. The milk should be properly steamed (hot and slightly frothy) rather than cold. The result is an espresso that has been “stained” or “spotted” with milk – which is why the Italian equivalent is called a caffe macchiato (meaning “stained” or “marked”).
How to Order
In France, say: “Je voudrais un cafe noisette, s’il vous plait” (zhuh voo-DREH uhn ka-FAY nwah-ZET, seel voo PLEH). You can also just say “un noisette” – the barista will know exactly what you mean. This is one of the most commonly ordered drinks in French cafes, so there is never any confusion. In some regions, you might hear people call it “un cafe avec une goutte de lait” (a coffee with a drop of milk), but noisette is the standard term everywhere.
When and Where Locals Drink It
The cafe noisette is appropriate at almost any time of day. Unlike the cafe creme, which is strictly a morning drink, the noisette is acceptable after lunch or even after dinner because the amount of milk is so small. It is a popular choice for the post-lunch coffee, when a straight espresso feels too harsh but a milky creme feels too heavy. You will find it ordered constantly in Parisian cafes, neighborhood bistros, and everywhere in between. It is one of the most popular coffee orders in France, right alongside the regular cafe.
Variations
The cafe noisette is pretty standardized, but there are a few variations worth knowing. A double noisette uses two shots of espresso with the same small splash of milk. Some modern cafes offer a noisette with plant-based milk (oat, soy, or almond), though this is still uncommon in traditional establishments. In some regions, you might get a noisette with cold milk instead of steamed, which changes the experience slightly. You can also ask for a noisette with an extra splash of milk if you want it a bit creamier, though at that point you are getting closer to a cortado.
Cafe Noisette vs Caffe Macchiato
The French cafe noisette and the Italian caffe macchiato are essentially the same drink – an espresso with a small splash of steamed milk. The macchiato name means “stained” or “marked” in Italian, while noisette refers to the hazelnut color the milk creates. In practice, the drinks are nearly identical. The only potential difference is that some Italian bars might use a slightly larger splash of milk foam for the macchiato, while the French noisette tends to use actual steamed milk (liquid, not just foam). But these are minor regional differences.
How to Make a Cafe Noisette at Home
Pull a single shot of espresso using your machine, Moka pot, or Aeropress. Steam a small amount of milk – you only need about a tablespoon. If you do not have a steam wand, heat the milk in a small pot and froth it with a handheld milk frother or by shaking it vigorously in a sealed jar. Add just enough steamed milk to the espresso to turn it from dark brown to a warm hazelnut color – this should be just one to two teaspoons. The goal is to barely change the drink, not to create a miniature latte. Serve in a standard espresso cup.
Ingredients
1 Espresso Shot + 0.3 Fl. Oz. Steamed Milk
How to order a Cafe Noisette in France?
"Je voudrais un cafe noisette, s'il vous plait."
Frequently Asked Questions
What does noisette mean?
Noisette is the French word for hazelnut. The drink is named for the hazelnut-brown color that the espresso turns when a small splash of milk is added – not because it contains hazelnut flavor.
Is a cafe noisette the same as a macchiato?
Yes, they are essentially the same drink. A cafe noisette is the French version, and a caffe macchiato is the Italian version. Both are espresso with a small splash of steamed milk.
Can you order a cafe noisette after lunch?
Absolutely. Unlike the cafe creme (which is a morning-only drink), the cafe noisette is acceptable at any time of day because the amount of milk is very small.
How much milk is in a cafe noisette?
Just a teaspoon or two of steamed milk – about 0.3 fluid ounces. The goal is to barely change the color of the espresso to a warm hazelnut brown, not to make a milky drink.
