With an Earl Grey tea base, London Fog is a tea latte with warm milk, vanilla extract, and sweetened with sugar. Make London Fog at home with this simple and tasty recipe.
CONTENTS
About This London Fog Drink Recipe
- A London Fog drink is an Earl Grey tea latte. It’s made with Earl Grey tea and frothed milk. It’s a delicious pick-me-up on a dreary day.
- There are four parts to a London Fog drink: Earl Grey (black tea flavored with bergamot, a citrus fruit from Italy), milk, vanilla extract, and sugar. This drink, like the London Fog at Starbucks, has a hint of lavender.
- Thought to have originated in Vancouver, it’s a popular drink in the Northwest.
- Recipe includes how to make velvety, cafe-quality milk froth at home using a French press.
If you love Earl Grey, check out my Earl Grey Hot Chocolate, Iced Earl Grey Tea Latte, Earl Grey Chocolate Spread, and Earl Grey Salted Caramel recipes.
Ingredient Notes
- Earl Grey tea
Earl Grey is the star of this drink and it can’t be called a London Fog without it. Use loose tea or tea sachets instead of tea bags for a better quality cup of tea. - Filtered water
Always use good quality water to make tea. - Brown sugar
White sugar works too but brown sugar adds a richer sweetness due to the molasses. - Vanilla extract
A flavor enhancer that makes tea lattes extra delicious. - Dried lavender buds
Can be used to make this drink and lavender tea. - Milk
Any kind you prefer — I like oat milk.
My Earl Grey Tea Pick
Photo Credit: Harney.com
My go-to Earl Grey tea. This blend has a some white tea, which makes it a bit more mellow than traditional Earl Grey.
SEE PRICE ON HARNEY.COM
Steps to Make London Fog Tea Latte
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make this drink. For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to see the recipe.
- Make tea.
Use an electric kettle with temperature setting to quickly and easily boil filtered water for tea or boil water on the stovetop. Combine tea, lavender buds, and hot water in a teapot. Cover and steep. While tea is steeping, make the frothed milk. - Make frothed milk.
Heat milk and pour into a French press. Pump French press plunger until milk doubles in volume. - Assemble drink.
Strain tea leaves and pour tea into a cup. Stir in sugar and vanilla extract. Pour frothed milk from the French press into cup with tea.
London Fog Variations
- Tokyo Fog: Substitute Earl Grey with matcha.
- Cape Town Fog: Substitute Earl Grey with rooibos.
- Victoria Fog: Substitute Earl Grey with lavender tea.
- Dublin Fog: Substitute Earl Grey with Irish breakfast tea.
Notes & Tips
- To froth milk like a pro at home, another option is to use an electric milk frother which heats milk and froths at the same time.
- If you don’t have or love lavender, feel free to make it without. It’s still delicious!
- No loose tea? Use 2 teaspoons of loose Earl Grey with 1 tea sachet or 1 tea bag.
Questions You May Have
What’s in a Starbucks London Fog?
Black tea, bergamot essence (black tea and bergamot make up the Earl Grey flavor), lavender flowers, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk.
What’s in this London Fog?
Earl Grey, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and dried lavender buds. What makes my London Fog so great is the perfect froth I create using a French press.
Is there caffeine in this drink?
Yes, since there’s caffeine in Earl Grey.
How else can I froth milk at home?
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London Fog Drink (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
Make London Fog at home with this simple and tasty recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup water
- 2 teaspoons earl grey loose tea or 1 tea sachet or 1 tea bag
- ¼ teaspoon dried lavender + extra for garnish
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk (any kind)
INSTRUCTIONS
MAKE TEA
- Boil water.Boil water on the stovetop or use an electric kettle with a temperature setting (water set to 208°F). Use filtered water for a better tasting tea.
- Combine tea, lavender buds, and hot water in a teapot.
- Cover teapot and steep for 5 minutes.
FROTH MILK
- Heat milk.Heat milk on the stovetop by simmering on low until it gets hot. Keep careful watch to make sure the milk doesn't come to a boil. Stir occasionally.
- Pour hot milk into a French press.
- Pump French press plunger until milk doubles in volume.Move the plunger up and down to pump air into the milk.
ASSEMBLE DRINK
- Strain tea leaves and pour tea into a cup.
- Stir in sugar and vanilla extract.
- Pour frothed milk from the French press into cup with tea.Optional: Garnish with dried lavender buds.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- You can take out the dried lavender if you wish — the drink is still delicious without it.
- I used loose Earl Grey tea but you can easily swap it with a tea sachet.
NUTRITION
Calories: 154 | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 242mg | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 296IU | Calcium: 207mg
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How did I never know about using a French press to froth milk? I love it! Thanks