London Fog Latte Recipe

London Fog Latte is the ultimate tea latte, with no coffee in it at all, made with Earl Grey tea, floral honey, and a hint of vanilla. If you like lattes, but you are simply not a coffee lover, this drink is perfect for you. Also, you will be surprised at how flavorful and soothing it is.

London Fog is a hot beverage made with Earl Grey Tea, sweetener, milk, and vanilla. The term “fog” refers to the milk froth on the surface, which makes it appealing, like it was served by a professional barista.

But it is so easy to prepare even when you lack training! I like having tea in between meals. This drink is simply soothing and best after a tiring day. It’s just like a warm hug!

I am so happy to share this recipe with you so you can save yourself a trip to Starbucks and some dollars by learning how easy it is to make it at home. While this Earl Grey latte is famous for its original, hot version, I enjoy mine cold, with some ice cubes, during hot summer days. I have tested and included both versions for you!

What you will need

The tea

• Earl Grey Tea: a kind of flavored tea that is a mix of black tea and bergamot oil that is usually associated with the English culture as it was a gift to a former Prime Minister of the UK named Charles Grey, the 2nd Earl of Grey. Earl grey tea comes in many favors, you can go for the classic one, or use Lavender or Orange varieties, for some extra subtle flavor.

Liquids

• hot water: used for steeping the tea
• milk: forms the froth on the surface, you can go with regular milk or choose a vegan milk like almond or oat milk for instance. If you plan on using vegan milk, I recommend oat milk, it tends to be creamier and create a thicker froth.

Sweetener

• Here you can choose between honey, maple syrup, agave, or sugar. However, if you can consume honey, I would say go for it. In this recipe the floral notes from the honey compliments so well the bergamot flavor from the Earl Grey tea. Creating so much harmony between all the flavors, and the creamy texture of the drink.

Spices

• vanilla extract: while the Starbucks version used their vanilla syrup, I prefer to use a simple but good vanilla extract. If you are feeling adventurous and fancy, adding the seeds from a vanilla bean would be amazing.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: I prefer to finish serving my London fog latte with some cinnamon and nutmeg on top. These warm spices are so soothing and comforting.

How to make it

1. Steep: Extract the flavors from the tea by steeping the tea bag in hot water for about 3 minutes.
2. Steam or froth: In a separate cup, mix the milk and vanilla extract. Then, steam or froth the mixture using a milk frother.
3. Sweeten: Discard the tea bag and add the sweetener of your choice, in this case, the honey, into the steeped tea. Stir until fully dissolved.
4. Combine: Add the frothed milk to the tea slowly, and scoop and remaining froth on top.
5. Serve: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg then serve.

Iced version:

To make an iced London Fog latte, simply…

1. Steep: Extract the flavors from the tea by steeping the tea bag in hot water for about 3 minutes.
2. Sweeten: Discard the tea bag and add the sweetener of your choice, in this case, the honey, into the steeped tea. Stir until fully dissolved.
3. Chill: Transfer the tea to the freezer and chill for 15-20 minutes, or until cooled. Also, chill the milk.
4. Combine: Add ice cubes to a tall glass, add the tea, after that add the milk and stir to combine.
5. Serve: You can top it with whipped cream and sprinkle some cinnamon and nutmeg on top.

Expert tip

How to froth milk without a frother

An electric frother will give you a warm and frothy milk mixture, but having one is not essential. What you can do at home is to steam the milk.

Heat it in a saucepan until it simmers and forms bubbles but not enough to make it boil. Make sure to keep an eye on it.

Remove it from heat and whisk the milk vigorously for about a minute or until bubbles begin to form and it looks frothy. Pour into your drink.

Recipe variations:

• Caffeine: Early Grey tea has caffeine, but there are many varieties without, so you can easily make this drink caffeine-free.
• Vegan: Use vegan milk, I recommend oat milk, because in texture is much more similar to regular milk.
• Lavender: Make a Lavender London Fog latte, by adding some lavender when you steep the milk. You will have to strain the mixture before adding the milk.
• Orange: Make an Orange London Fog latte by adding orange peel when you steep the tea and using Orange Earl Grey tea.\

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a London Fog latte taste like?

Because of the Earl Grey tea, this drink has hints of floral bergamot, earthy, and citrusy flavors. It is a bit sweet and bitter at the same time, too. Also, the honey adds a subtle sweetness and a light floral taste, and the added vanilla extract boosts the flavors of the tea latte.

Is a London Fog latte caffeinated?

Yes, it is caffeinated. Earl Grey is a type of Black Tea, hence it does contain caffeine, but it does not contain quite as much caffeine as coffee. You could also choose a decaf Earl Grey if you prefer to make your drink caffeine-free.

What is the difference between a latte and a London Fog?

The difference is that while a latter is made with coffee, milk, and sweetener, a London Fog does NOT contain coffee at all. It is made with Earl Grey tea, sweetener, and milk.

More delicious drinks:

Recipe tips:

• If you have a French press, you can use that to froth heated milk.
• To heat milk, you can use the microwave oven until it steams.
• Add more floral flavors by steeping the tea with lavender buds.