Simple London Fog
A cozy, comforting tea latte that perfectly balances fragrant Earl Grey with creamy steamed milk and a gentle touch of vanilla. This café classic takes just minutes to make at home, delivering a warm, aromatic hug in a mug—perfect for cool mornings or afternoon quiet time.
For 1 serving
- prep · ~5 min
Bring water to a boil and steep the Earl Grey.
1.Bring ¾ cup water to a rolling boil in a small saucepan or kettle.2.Place the Earl Grey tea bag in a mug and pour the hot water over it.3.Steep for 3-5 minutes (3 for lighter flavour, 5 for bold bergamot).4.Remove tea bag and discard.TIPDon't squeeze the tea bag—it releases bitter tannins. Just let it drain naturally. - boil · ~4 min
Warm and froth the milk.
1.Pour ¾ cup milk into the small saucepan.2.Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until steaming and small bubbles form at the edges (do not boil).3.Whisk vigorously or use a milk frother to create a light foam on top.TIPKeep milk just below a simmer—scalded milk loses its sweetness and texture. - mix · ~1 min
Sweeten and add vanilla.
1.Stir the sugar and vanilla extract into the steeped tea until dissolved. - assemble · ~1 min
Combine tea and milk.
1.Slowly pour the steamed milk into the mug of sweetened Earl Grey tea.2.Spoon the remaining milk foam on top.3.Serve immediately.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Use a light hand with steep time—oversteeping extracts bitter tannins from the tea.
- 2Heat milk slowly over medium-low; rapid boiling will scald it and ruin the texture.
- 3A whisk creates decent foam at home; for extra velvety results, use a handheld frother.
- 4Pre-warm your mug with hot water to keep the London Fog hot longer.
- 5Add vanilla and sweetener to the hot tea first so they dissolve evenly before adding milk.
- 6For a dairy-free version, oat milk froths best and complements earl grey's floral notes.
Adapt it for your goals.
Dairy-Free / Vegan
Substitute whole milk with oat or almond milk—oat milk froths best and adds creamy body without overpowering the Earl Grey's bergamot.
Extra VanillaExtra-Vanilla
Use vanilla bean paste instead of extract (or scrape a 1-inch piece of vanilla pod) for a deeper, speckled vanilla flavor that lingers.
Lavender FogLavender Fog
Add 1/4 teaspoon dried culinary lavender to the tea while steeping for a floral twist; strain before adding milk.
Iced London FogIced London Fog
Steep a double-strength tea (use 2 bags in the same water), then pour over ice and top with cold frothed milk for a refreshing summer version.
Sugar FreeSugar-Free
Replace sugar with a pinch of stevia or monk fruit sweetener—these hold up well in hot tea and don't alter the creamy mouthfeel.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Antioxidants from Black Tea
Earl Grey is made from black tea, which contains polyphenols like theaflavins that support heart health and reduce oxidative stress.
Moderate Caffeine Boost
One cup of London Fog provides roughly half the caffeine of coffee, offering gentle alertness without jitters.
Calcium from Milk
Using whole or fortified milk adds calcium and vitamin D, supporting bone health and nerve function.
Calming Ritual Benefits
The warm, aromatic nature of this tea latte promotes relaxation and can serve as a mindful break in a busy day.
Frequently asked questions
Yes—use 1 teaspoon of loose-leaf tea in an infuser and steep for the same 3–5 minutes. Strain after steeping to remove leaves.
