London Fog may sound like a weather report for the capital of the United Kingdom. Spoiler alert – it isn’t. So what is a London Fog? It’s actually a latte with a base of earl grey steeped in boiling water, layered with frothy hot milk and a touch of vanilla.
The “London Fog” consists of the classically British Earl Grey, which is a mixture of black tea and bergamot oil, adding citrusy notes to the flavor profile. Despite the name, it is said to have been created in Vancouver, Canada.
To make yourself a comforting London Fog, all you need is an earl grey tea-bag, hot milk of choice, vanilla, and any sweetener you’d like.
Stay tuned to discover how to make a London Fog:
Step #1. Prepare Ingredients
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag
- ½ cup boiling water
- Sugar, honey or your favorite sweetener
- ¼ tsp. vanilla
- ½ cup hot milk (or almond milk)
- Cinnamon
- Milk frother or whisk
Step #2. Infuse the Earl Grey Tea
Infuse the tea bag in the hot water (it should infuse for about 5 minutes). Remove the tea bag.
Step #3. Add Sweetener & Vanilla
Add the sugar, honey or sweetener, to taste. Add the vanilla. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
Step #4. Whisk the Hot Milk
Whisk the hot milk until it forms froth at the top. Pour it into the hot tea.
- you can use a milk frother or whisk to froth the hot milk
- or you can steam cold milk with an espresso machine steam wand
TIP: When you are frothing the milk, make sure the bowl or pitcher can hold extra volume because the milk will expand to approximately double in size. It will need the extra room!
Step #5. Enjoy Your London Fog
Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve.
This simple recipe is your ticket to enjoying a DIY café-quality mug of London Fog at home – or a fancy British teacup if you prefer. It results in a pale caramel-colored drink beneath a creamy, white cloud of milk froth.
With hints of vanilla, London Fog has a refreshing combination of floral black tea and a subtle zest – this flavor hits all your taste buds.
The caffeine content in a London Fog makes it a fantastic morning energizer or afternoon pick-me-up.
As for how long to steep earl grey, it should take only about 5 minutes to extract the full flavor. Adding your sweetener of choice – honey, sugar, agave – makes drinking your London Fog, perhaps at home in your velvet armchair, such a delicacy.
If you’re really feeling luxurious, sprinkle some dried lavender on top. Alternatively, you can infuse lavender with the earl grey in the water, to really complete the floral flavor of London Fog.
If you’re in the mood for something stronger, try adding a touch of amaretto.
The London Fog Latte will make you feel like you’re roaming the streets of London – hopefully with more sunlight than fog.
Did you enjoy this recipe? Let us know in the comments and please share the recipe!
How to Make a London Fog
Ingredients
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag
- ½ cup boiling water
- Sugar, honey or your favorite sweetener - to taste
- ¼ tsp. vanilla
- ½ cup hot milk - or almond milk
- Cinnamon - ground
Instructions
- Infuse the tea bag in the hot water (it should infuse for about 5 minutes). Remove the tea bag.
- Add the sugar, honey or sweetener, to taste. Add the vanilla. Stir to dissolve the sugar.
- Whisk the hot milk until it forms froth at the top (you can use a milk frother or whisk for hot milk or you can steam cold milk with an espresso machine steam wand.) Pour it into the hot tea.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon. Serve.
Equipment
Video
Notes
- When you are frothing the milk, make sure the bowl or pitcher can hold extra volume because the milk will expand to approximately double in size. It will need the extra room!
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, a standard cup of Earl Grey tea does have about 40 milligrams of caffeine because it contains black tea.
It tastes slightly sweet and creamy with the black tea and bergamot oil adding bitter, citrusy notes to the flavor profile and it has a hint of vanilla.
You can froth the hot milk with a whisk by hand. You can also froth cold milk with the steam wand on an espresso machine.
Looking to further enhance your cooking skills? Check out…How to Shred Cabbage: 3 Ways
I love this London Fog recipe. I’m feeling like a barista! Lol. Thank you.
haha thanks!
I love this recipe! It’s one of the only hot drinks that I enjoy as a coffee alternative. Thank you.
That’s great Sierra! Thank you for the comment. I like drinking it instead of coffee sometimes as well.
Very detailed step by step
I love it when you add honey, noted it!
Thank you so much for your post
Thanks Sai 🙂
So warm, delicious and comforting. Thanks for breaking it down to easy steps, this is great!
Comforting is right! No problem Sabrina 🙂 .
I used to enjoy a London Fog sometimes from the coffee shop, but never thought to make it at home. Thanks for sharing!
It is quite easy actually 🙂 , thanks Colleen!
Thank you for this! I don’t drink tea too often, but London Fog is something I love. I would stop after yoga at a wonderful cozy tea room with my friend and always order it! Never made it myself, now I know how! 🙂
That sounds lovely 🙂 It’s a breeze to make, so it’s nice to have at home sometimes! Thanks Nicoletta.