Which type of milk is best for your coffee?

Laatst bijgewerkt op: 13/10/2026

While some people prefer to drink their coffee black, others opt for coffee with milk. A splash of milk to take the bitterness out of the coffee—or simply because a cappuccino, latte, or cortado is just so delicious. But which types of milk (and alternatives) are best suited for coffee, and how do these types affect the flavor?

Coffee with Cow’s Milk

“Cappuccino with oat milk or regular milk?” For many people, “regular” milk still means cow’s milk. But since plant-based beverages are becoming more common, we prefer to refer to it as cow’s milk. When you choose coffee with cow’s milk, you’re choosing coffee with a creamy texture and a rich, full-bodied flavor. That’s due to the high fat content in whole cow’s milk. Prefer something a little less fatty? Low-fat or skim cow’s milk is also an option, of course, though frothing won’t work quite as well with these.

Coffee with goat’s milk

For those who find the switch to plant-based beverages too big a step, goat’s milk offers a good alternative. It’s still a dairy product, but it contains less lactose and is therefore suitable for people with a cow’s milk allergy. Thanks to its naturally sweet and slightly nutty flavor, goat’s milk pairs well with coffee. Still, goat’s milk has a fairly distinct flavor that’s worth trying if you’re curious about adding a new twist to your coffee.

Coffee with Soy Milk

Soy milk is the pioneer among plant-based alternatives for coffee with milk and, in terms of nutrients, comes closest to cow’s milk. Soy comes from the soybean, a legume, and is rich in protein and unsaturated fat. How does soy milk taste in coffee? Nutty. Its texture is creamy, making it very suitable (and delicious) for your coffee.

Coffee with oat milk

Oat milk is quickly gaining popularity as an alternative to cow’s milk in coffee. It has a creamy texture and a subtly sweet flavor that pairs well with the bitterness of coffee. In addition, oat milk is enriched with vitamins and minerals, and oats contain no cholesterol.

Coffee with Almond Milk

Not entirely surprisingly, almond milk adds a nutty flavor to your coffee. And compared to whole cow’s milk and soy milk, almond milk contains less fat. So if you’re not a big fan of coffee with creamy milk, almond milk is a great alternative.

Coffee with coconut milk

In the mood for a sweet coffee with milk that’s just a little different from the usual? Coconut milk adds a sweet, tropical flavor and gives your coffee a creamy texture. It can be a bit overpowering, though, so go easy on it if you don’t want the coconut flavor to stand out too much.

Curious about more plant-based beverages? Read more here about which plant-based milk alternatives do and don’t work well in your coffee.