National Café au Lait Day is observed worldwide on February 17 each year, celebrating the popular coffee beverage that combines coffee and milk. The term "café au lait" is French for "coffee with milk," and this drink has many variations globally, including caffè latte in Italy and café con leche in Spain and Latin America. In American coffeehouses, café au lait is typically made with French pressed or drip brewed coffee and steamed milk, while caffè latte is prepared with espresso and scalded milk. A notable variation is found in New Orleans, where café au lait is made with coffee mixed with chicory and served with beignets. This holiday encourages people to enjoy a perfect cup of café au lait along with delicious pastries, highlighting the rich tradition of milk coffee around the world.