London Fog Latte Recipe

Name: London Fog Latte Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 Earl Grey tea bag; 1/2 cup hot water; 1/2 cup milk (or dairy-free milk); 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon honey (or another sweetener); Pinch of cinnamon; Pinch of nutmeg

Recipe Video Print

This comforting London Fog Latte is the ultimate tea drink! I make it with Earl Grey tea, floral honey, and a soft touch of vanilla. I love that it has no coffee in it at all, so it is perfect if you enjoy lattes but prefer something more gentle and relaxing.

I am so happy to share this recipe with you so you can save yourself a trip to Starbucks and a few dollars by learning how easy it is to make at home, just like my Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. While this Earl Grey latte is best known for its warm and comforting version that is perfect for fall or winter, I have to admit I also enjoy it cold with a few ice cubes on hot summer days. I’ve tested and included both versions for you to try.

Why you will love this recipe
What you will need
How to make
Expert tip
Recipe variations and add-ins:
Serving suggestions:
How to store leftovers:
Frequently asked questions
More delicious comforting drinks:

Making this London Fog Latte is so easy that I actually enjoy preparing it when I need a little break from work. In the afternoon, I grab my ingredients; an Earl Grey tea bag, a bit of honey, some milk, and the warm spices I always keep on hand during fall. In just about 10 minutes, I can sit back and enjoy this delicious drink. It’s soothing, comforting, and the perfect treat after a long, tiring day, so I highly recommend you give it a try.

Why you will love this recipe

A quick pick-me-up: I love making this London Fog Latte when I need a little break in my day. In just a few minutes, I can put together warm milk, Earl Grey tea, honey, and vanilla for something smooth and calming.
Full of gentle flavor: The blend of floral honey, creamy milk, and the soft spice from the tea makes this latte taste so comforting. I like to sip it slowly while catching my breath after a busy morning with the kids.
Perfect for any season: I enjoy it warm during chilly fall days and iced when summer gets too hot. Both ways taste amazing!
Budget-friendly: I love that this London Fog Latte costs me only $4 dollars to make, and that includes the good quality tea and milk I always keep at home. It tastes just as nice as the café version, but I get to enjoy it in my kitchen and save a little money at the same time.

What you will need

london fog latte ingredients in bowls on a table

Earl Grey tea: I like using Earl Grey tea because it has that lovely mix of black tea and bergamot oil that is elegant and fragrant. Sometimes I switch it up with lavender or orange varieties when I want a little extra flavor.
Liquids: I steep the tea in hot water and then add milk for that creamy froth on top.
Sweetener: I usually go with honey because the floral notes match so well with the bergamot in the tea, though you can also use maple syrup, agave, or sugar.
Spices: I like to use good vanilla extract instead of syrup because it keeps the flavor natural and simple. Sometimes, I scrape in the seeds from a vanilla bean, and it smells amazing. I also finish the latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg on top.

How to make

Steep the tea: I place the tea bag in hot water and let it steep for about three minutes. This helps draw out all the rich flavor and aroma from the Earl Grey tea.

Steam or froth the milk: I pour the milk into a separate cup, add the vanilla extract, and then steam or froth it until it becomes creamy.

Sweeten: I remove the tea bag and stir in the honey until it completely dissolves into the warm tea, creating a smooth and fragrant base for the latte.

Combine the tea and milk: I slowly pour the frothed milk into the tea, then gently scoop any remaining froth on top to make it light and creamy.

adding milk to earl grey tea to make london fog latte

Serve the latte: I finish by sprinkling a little cinnamon and nutmeg on top, then serve it warm.

Make the Iced version:

To make an iced London Fog latte, I simply…

Steep: I place the tea bag in hot water and let it steep for about three minutes.
Sweeten: I take out the tea bag and stir in the honey until it fully dissolves.
Chill the tea: I transfer the tea to the freezer for about 15 to 20 minutes until it cools down, and I also chill the milk.
Combine everything: I fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the chilled tea, then add the milk and stir gently to mix it all together.
Serve the latte: I top it with whipped cream and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg before enjoying it cold and refreshing.

Expert tip

Perfectly warm milk froth

In order to make the best London Fog Latte ever, I highly recommend you to froth the milk while it is warm, not too hot. When the milk is gently warm, it becomes creamy and smooth without losing the light foam on top. I learned this after a few tries, and now it always makes the latte taste soft and comforting, just the way I like it.

More tips to consider:

I always use fresh Earl Grey tea for the best flavor. Old tea bags can taste dull and lose their fragrance.
When adding honey, I stir it in while the tea is still warm so it melts easily and blends smoothly.
If I want a stronger tea flavor, I let the tea steep for an extra minute before adding the milk.
I warm the cup before pouring the latte in so it stays hot longer.
When I make the iced version, I chill both the tea and milk ahead of time so the ice does not water it down too quickly.

Recipe variations and add-ins:

Caffeine-free: I like using regular Earl Grey tea for a gentle boost, but when I want a calm evening drink, I switch to a caffeine-free variety. Both taste lovely and keep the same rich flavor.
Make it plant-based: I often make this with oat milk because about 1 cup of it froths great and tastes just like regular milk.
Lavender: When I want something floral, I add about 1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender while warming the milk. I strain it before mixing, and the aroma is soft and relaxing.
Orangey: For a brighter flavor, I steep the tea with a few strips of orange peel and use Orange Earl Grey tea. It adds a light citrus note that makes the latte taste fresh and vibrant.

Serving suggestions:

When I make this London Fog Latte, I usually have something baking because I just can’t help myself. My Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting is a family favorite, and I love serving it when everyone stops by for a visit. We sit around the table, sip our tea, laugh, and talk about everything from school stories to weekend plans. On slower mornings, I bake my Carrot Cake Coffee Cake this one is my favorite pair so far.

When fall rolls in, my kids beg for my Pumpkin Cheesecake Pancakes, and I have to admit, I enjoy them just as much. We make a big stack, pour our London Fog Lattes, and it instantly makes the morning start in the best way.

How to store leftovers:

Refrigerate: I keep any leftover London Fog Latte in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 days. Before drinking, I give it a quick stir so the flavors blend nicely again.
Freezing: I do not usually freeze this drink, but if I have extra tea, I pour it into ice cube trays. These tea cubes are great for making an iced latte later without watering it down.
Reheating: When I want to warm it up again, I heat it gently on the stove or in the microwave for a few seconds.

Frequently asked questions

What is the secret to getting that perfect balance of tea and milk?

I always make sure the tea is strong enough to stand up to the milk. A good ratio for me is two-thirds tea to one-third milk, and that balance makes the drink taste creamy but still full of Earl Grey flavor.

Is a London Fog latte caffeinated?

Yes, Earl Grey tea does contain caffeine since it is made from black tea. It has less caffeine than coffee, which makes it a great option if you want a little energy boost without feeling overstimulated. When I make this latte in the evening, I sometimes use a decaf Earl Grey tea so I can still enjoy it before bed.

How to froth milk without a frother?

An electric frother makes it easy to get that warm and foamy milk, but you really do not need one. I often just heat the milk in a small saucepan until it starts to simmer and tiny bubbles form around the edges. I watch it closely so it does not boil over. Once it is hot, I take it off the stove and whisk it quickly for about a minute until it looks frothy and light. Then I pour it right into my tea, and it tastes just as good as the café version

More delicious comforting drinks:

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