The London Fog, a cozy tea latte that feels like a misty stroll through London on a chilly day. It has Earl Grey tea‘s rich aroma swirling with sweet vanilla, all blanketed in creamy, frothed milk. It’s the perfect comfort drink for unwinding after a long day or cuddling up with a good book.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients: You only need a few basic ingredients to make this drink, and they’re all readily available at most grocery stores.
- Velvety smooth: The frothed milk makes this drink incredibly smooth and creamy.
- Warm and comforting: The Earl Grey tea and lavender have a calming effect that’s perfect for cozy nights in.
Ingredient Notes
- Earl Grey tea: London Fog latte is incomplete without earl grey tea, so make sure you use a good quality tea. I like to use loose leaf tea, but tea bags will work in a pinch.
- Water: Use filtered water for the best results.
- Milk: Any kind of milk will work, but I prefer to use whole milk for its richer flavor.
- Sugar: I like to use brown sugar for its hint of molasses, but white sugar will work too.
- Vanilla extract: This adds a touch of sweetness and complexity to the flavor.
- Dried lavender buds: This is optional, but I love the floral aroma and flavor that lavender adds to the drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine the tea, lavender buds, and hot water in a teapot. Cover and steep for 5 minutes.
- While the tea is steeping, heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Don’t let it boil!
- Once the tea is steeped, strain it into a mug.
- Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract, and stir to dissolve.
- Froth the milk using a French press, immersion blender, or handheld milk frother.
- Pour the frothed milk over the tea.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of dried lavender buds, if desired.
Notes & Tips
- If you don’t have a French press or a handheld milk frother, you can simply heat the milk in a saucepan and whisk it until it is frothy.
- You can also make this drink iced. Simply steep the tea as usual, then pour it over ice and top with frothed milk.
- If you don’t like lavender, you can leave it out.
- For an extra special treat, drizzle a little honey or caramel sauce on top of your London Fog.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t over-steep the tea: This will make it bitter.
- Don’t boil the milk: This will make it scalded and give it a burnt flavor.
- Don’t add too much sugar: The lavender and vanilla extract already add sweetness to the drink, so you don’t need to add a lot of sugar.
Storing and Preserving
This drink is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store any leftover tea in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Reheat the tea gently before serving.
Interesting Facts
- The London Fog is thought to have originated in Vancouver, Canada.
- The name “London Fog” is likely a reference to the foggy weather that is
- common in London.
- There are many variations of the London Fog, such as the Victoria Fog (made with lavender tea) and the Cape Town Fog (made with rooibos tea).
Questions You May Have
1. What kind of teacups should I use?
Any kind of teacups will work, but I like to use clear mugs so I can see the beautiful layers of the drink.
2. Can I use decaf Earl Grey tea?
Yes, you can definitely use decaf Earl Grey tea if you prefer.
3. Is this drink good for you?
The London Fog is a relatively healthy drink, especially if you use low-fat milk and skip the added sugar. However, it does contain caffeine, so be mindful of that if you are sensitive to caffeine.
4. What’s in a Starbucks London Fog?
The Starbucks London Fog is made with black tea, bergamot essence, lavender flowers, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk.
London Fog Latte
Course: Drinks1
servings3
minutes5
minutes210
kcal8
minutesA frothy Earl Grey tea latte with a touch of lavender, perfect for a cozy morning or afternoon.
Ingredients
¾ cup water
2 teaspoons Earl Grey tea loose leaf (1 sachet, or 1 tea bag)
¼ teaspoon dried lavender + extra for garnish
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup milk (your choice)
- Equipment
Directions
- Boil water. Steep tea, lavender, and hot water in a teapot for 5 minutes.
- Heat milk until simmering, then froth with a French press or milk frother. Hold down the French press lid while pumping.
- Strain tea into a cup, stir in sugar and vanilla.
- Pour frothed milk over tea and garnish with lavender.
- Variations
- Victoria Fog: Replace Earl Grey with lavender tea.
- Cape Town Fog: Replace Earl Grey with rooibos tea.
- Tokyo Fog: Replace Earl Grey with matcha.
- Dublin Fog: Replace Earl Grey with Irish breakfast tea.
Notes
- Skip the lavender if desired.
- Use an electric kettle for precise water temperature.
- Microwave milk in 15-second bursts if using a French press.
- Any milk can be used, but whole or 2% froths best.
- Add vanilla extract last for best flavor.
- Loose leaf or sachets recommended for better tea quality.