Throughout my years as a devout tea drinker, there’s one type of tea that has remained a true staple: Earl Grey. Why you may ask? Earl Grey is a tea classic. Like a Chanel suit, this is one tea that never goes out of style.
The London Fog, also known as an Earl Grey tea latte, is one of my favorite tea lattes.
What is Earl Grey tea?
Earl Grey tea is a tea blend made of black tea leaves flavored with the oil of bergamot orange rind. While tea blends like Earl Grey were actually invented by the Chinese, this tea was popularized by the British and has become almost directly correlated with English high teas.
Earl Grey teas can taste different based on several factors, including the type of tea used, the type and amount of bergamot, as well as the quality of both.
Enter the London Fog drink
The London Fog is the official name of an Earl Grey tea latte. The first official London Fog was actually invented by a woman named Mary Loria in Vancouver in the mid-90s, who frequented a coffee shop called Vancouver’s Buckwheat Cafe. After coming up with the idea, she began ordering it at other coffee shops, too, and the drink quickly grew in popularity.
Ok, so what exactly is a London Fog?
A London Fog, also known as an Earl Grey tea latte, is a warm drink with a base of milk that’s steeped with Earl grey tea. There are many varieties of this drink, but the recipe I’m sharing with you today contains vanilla extract, a touch of honey, and ground cinnamon for added flavor.
London Fog ingredients
To make a London Fog, you’ll need the following:
- Loose Earl Grey tea (alternatively, you can use 3 tea bags): This is the base of the beverage. Two of my favorite options include Art of Tea’s Loose Earl Grey tea or Buddha Teas’ Organic Earl Grey tea bags.
- Honey: For sweetness. While you can use granulated sugar, I prefer the flavor of honey with Earl Grey tea.
- Milk of your choice: The milk is the main ingredient of the London Fog and is steeped with the tea and additional spices.
- Ground or whole cinnamon sticks
- Vanilla extract
How to make a London Fog
- Pour your milk into a medium saucepan and add the tea, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon. Because you will be straining the drink after it’s steeped, you don’t actually need to use a loose tea holder.
- Bring your milk to a boil and lower the heat to low, allowing the drink to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Strain the milk with a fine mesh strainer over the sink. Then, use an electric or handheld frother or a French Press to froth your milk until foamy.
- Pour into a preheated mug and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon. Enjoy!
Tips for making the best London Fog
- Don’t keep the milk simmering for too long. Black tea contains tannins which can turn bitter if steeped too long.
- High fat milk works the best. This is because the fat is what allows the milk to foam. I personally like using 2% milk, but any milk will work–it may just be less frothy. If you prefer to make a vegan latte, I love using whole coconut milk.
- To keep your latte warm as you drink it, preheat your mug. The easiest way to do this is by pouring boiling water in it while you’re preparing your London Fog. Right before serving, pour the hot water out and you’ll have a warm and toasty mug ready to keep your drink warm!
- Use a good quality Earl Grey tea and real vanilla extract. Both will produce the best tasting London Fog.
London Fog recipe
Yield: 2 lattes
Time to prepare: 10 minutes
- 2 cups (16oz) milk
- 2.5 tablespoons loose Earl Grey tea tea (or 3 tea bags)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 teaspoons honey (depending how sweet you like your London Fog)
- 1 cinnamon stick or ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour the milk into a medium saucepan along with the tea, vanilla extract, honey, and cinnamon.
- Bring to a boil and immediately turn the heat down. Allow the milk to simmer for 5 minutes.
- Over the sink, strain your tea so you’re left with only liquid,
- To froth the milk, I prefer using an electric frother. If you don’t have one, you can use a handheld one or a French press. To froth with a French press, fill it halfway with the tea liquid and pump the presser until the drink almost doubles in size.
- Pour into warm mugs and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon. The easiest way to warm your mugs is by filling them with boiling water and letting them sit for a few minutes. Dump out the water and replace with your London Fog.