If you're looking for an easy way to mix up your morning coffee routine, this is for you. It's also great to serve a crowd on a Sunday morning. Use the leftover simple syrup for cocktails later on in the day!

INGREDIENTS:

Vanilla Simple Syrup

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup water

• Pinch of salt

• 1 vanilla bean

Café au Lait

• 2 cups 2% milk

• 2-3 tablespoons vanilla simple syrup

• 2 cups strongly brewed coffee

• whipped cream (optional)

• cinnamon (optional)

LET’S COOK:

Vanilla Simple Syrup

1. In a small pot combine the sugar and the vanilla bean

2. To ensure maximum vanilla flavor, open up the bean, scrape out the seeds and add the seeds and vanilla bean both to the sugar

3. Rub the sugar between your hands well to incorporate the vanilla into the sugar

4. Add water and salt to the pot and bring to a boil

5. Boil until all the sugar is dissolved

6. Transfer to a small container and keep in your fridge until it’s all used up

Café au Lait

1. Combine your desired amount of sugar with the milk into a small pot (if you just made your simple syrup you can use that pot without cleaning it before use)

2. Heat it up until it’s really hot but hasn’t yet boiled

3. If you have a large teapot, chemex, coffee pot or french press you can also combine the milk and coffee before serving and let everyone pour their own, which is what I like to do

4. Or, if you’d like to serve it in individual cups, pour ½ cup of coffee and ½ cup of vanilla milk into each cup and top with whipped cream and cinnamon (if desired)

[SERVES 4]

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