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London Fog Recipe: How to Make an Earl Grey Latte at Home

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Despite the name, the "London Fog" wasn't invented in England; it originated in Vancouver, Canada. It is essentially an Earl Grey Latte spiked with vanilla, creating a drink that tastes like Froot Loops cereal in the best possible way.

This recipe creates a rich, coffee-shop style latte without an espresso machine. The secret lies in brewing a concentrated tea "shot" first, so the milk doesn't dilute the bergamot flavor.

A mug of frothy London Fog latte garnished with lavender buds.
Prep Time2 mins
Cook Time5 mins
Servings1 Latte
Calories120

Ingredients

The Tea Base
  • 2 Earl Grey Tea Bags (or 1 tbsp loose leaf)
  • 1/2 cup Boiling Water (100°C)
  • 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract (or 1 tsp Vanilla Syrup)
  • 1 tsp Honey or Sugar (to taste)

The Milk
  • 1/2 cup Milk (Whole milk or Oat milk froth best)
  • Optional: Pinch of dried culinary lavender
Nutrition per serving:
Calories: 120
Fat: 4g
Sugar: 14g
Protein: 4g

Instructions

1
Brew the "Shot": Boil your water. Steep the 2 tea bags (or loose leaf) in just 1/2 cup of water. Cover and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. We want this to be double-strength so it stands up to the milk.
2
Sweeten: While the tea is hot, remove the bags (squeeze them gently). Stir in the vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice until dissolved.
3
Froth the Milk: Heat your milk to about 60°C (steaming but not boiling). Use a milk frother, French press, or whisk to create a thick, velvety foam.
4
Combine: Pour the hot tea mixture into your mug. Slowly pour the frothed milk over the top, holding back the foam with a spoon until the end to create a layered effect. Top with a pinch of lavender.

Expert Tip: The Lavender Mistake

Be very careful with lavender. If you add too much, your drink will taste like hand soap. A tiny pinch on top as a garnish provides the perfect aroma without overpowering the bergamot oil in the tea.