A London Fog latte is a cozy drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla, often topped with a light froth. It’s named after the city of London and is known for its soothing bergamot and lavender flavors.
Why You Need to Try a London Fog Tea Latte
Many years ago, on a cold windy afternoon in Seattle with a friend, we tucked into a cozy coffee shop and experienced our first London Fog. I will never forget it! The citrusy bergamot notes shined through and gave the latte such a beautiful brightness that it warmed me to my bones. I’ve been recreating variations of it ever since.
Bright, citrusy notes of bergamot and subtle hints of lavender are the signature flavors of Earl Grey tea, the foundation of the London Fog latte. Lightly sweetened with a hint of vanilla and topped with frothy milk- it is such a cozy, warming drink, perfect for the season. Vegan-adaptable!
What is a London Fog?
A London Fog latte is a cozy drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup, often topped with a light froth. It’s named after the city of London and is known for its soothing bergamot and lavender flavors.
London Fog Tea Ingredients
- Earl Grey Tea: Use 1-2 Earl Grey Tea bags or 1-2 tablespoons of loose-leaf tea. I prefer to use 2!
- Honey: Or use vanilla simple syrup. See notes for how to make our vanilla lavender honey simple syrup!
- Vanilla extract: Infuses latte with cozy, sweet flavor.
- Steamed milk: Your choice of milk- whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk.
- Dried lavender: For a pretty garnish!
How to Make a London Fog Latte
1. Boil water. Use a tea kettle to boil water.
2. Steep tea. Pour 3/4 cup boiling water into an 8-ounce serving mug and add 1-2 earl grey sachets. If using loose leaves, use a tea basket or strainer. Steep 3-4 minutes.
3. Warm and froth milk. While tea steeps, warm milk over medium heat in a small saucepan. Use a mini frother to froth the milk.
4. Add sweetener and milk. Remove the tea bags, add the honey or simple syrup to the hot tea, along with vanilla and pour in the foamy milk.
5. Garnish. Garnish with dried lavender if you’d like!
London Fog Recipe Variations
- To make an iced London Fog latte: Chill the brewed Earl Grey tea in the fridge, pour over ice in a 12-16 ounce glass, stir in sweetener and vanilla, and top with cold milk.
- If you want a richer latte: Steep two bags of Earl Gray tea directly in 1 ½ cups of hot milk. Add vanilla and sweetener to taste.
- Espresso: Add a shot of espresso for a London Fog with a little extra kick!
- Maple syrup: Can be used instead of the honey or vanilla syrup.
- Coconut milk: Try coconut milk for a tropical twist.
- Tea: Try making this recipe with your other favorite types of tea, such as lavender tea, black tea, breakfast tea, or even chai tea or matcha! You could even create your own blends, like earl grey and lavender tea.
- Bergamot oil: Add a little bergamot oil if you want to amplify this citrusy flavor.
What to Serve with this London Fog Drink
While this tea latte can be enjoyed all on its own or daily for breakfast, we especially love this beverage with a crumbly scone. Serve with Sourdough Scones or Maple Pecan Scones. Or enjoy it with cookies like Shortbread Cookies or Snowball Cookies. Other breakfast pastries like Cardamom Apple Cake, Morning Glory Muffins, or Double Spice Pumpkin Bread pair well with a London Fog latte.
How to Store a London Fog (Drink)
If prepping your London Fog in advance, you’ll want to store each component separately- the brewed tea, simple syrup, and milk. If the components are already combined, you can store the latte in a sealed jar in the fridge for a day or two. Simply reheat in a saucepan on the stovetop or in the microwave, or pour it over ice!
FAQs
They are the same thing! You may see the names used interchangeably.
The basic recipe for London Fog calls for earl grey tea, a sweetener, vanilla, and milk. Lavender tea or syrup can be added, or you can add dried lavender as a garnish. Lavender is commonly added to London Fog lattes.
Yes. Earl grey tea has caffeine.
May this cozy London Fog Latte bring comfort and hug you from the inside out! Enjoy!
More Tea Recipes You Might Like
London Fog (Drink)
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink
- Category: drinks
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A London Fog latte is a cozy drink made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla, often topped with a light froth. It’s named after the city of London and is known for its soothing bergamot and lavender flavors.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup hot water
- 1–2 Earl Grey Tea bags (or 1–2 tablespoons loose leaf Earl Grey tea) I prefer 2.
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or vanilla simple syrup (see notes), more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup steamed milk (whole milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk)
- Optional garnish: dried lavender
Instructions
- Set a tea kettle to boil water.
- Place 1-2 earl grey teabags in a 12-ounce mug.
- Pour ¾ cup boiling water over the tea bags and let steep 4 minutes.
- While the tea is steeping, heat milk over medium heat in a little saucepan and whisk or froth. I used this mini frother.
- Remove the tea bags, stir in a little sweetener, and vanilla, and pour in the steamed or frothed milk.
- Garnish with lavender if you like.
Notes
Variations: To make an iced London Fog latte, simply chill the brewed Earl Grey tea in the fridge, pour over ice in a 12-16 ounce glass, stir in sweetener and vanilla, and top with cold milk.
If you want a richer latte, steep two bags of Earl Grey directly in 1 ½ cups of hot milk. Add vanilla and sweetener to taste.
Vanilla lavender honey simple syrup: Heat ½ cup water on the stove with 1 tablespoon lavender and let simmer until reduced by half. Strain. Place ½ cup honey in a jar, stir in the warm lavender water and add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix to combine. Taste, adjusting more vanilla if you like.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 ounces (made with soy milk)
- Calories: 109
- Sugar: 9.7 g
- Sodium: 126.1 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 14.8 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 5.3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Better yet, use loose leaf for a waste-free option 🙂
For sure a good option!
Where does one use the 1/2 tsp vanilla extract? Thanks
Opps! I guess I left that part out. You can add it directly to the steeping tea, or to the heating milk- either works!
Ok great , thanks!
I recently had my first London Fog Latte at a coffee shop and have been wondering how it’s made. Thrilled that you posted this!!! Thank you!!
Thanks Jocelyn- they are so cozy!