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Have you ever wondered how to make a London Fog Drink? It’s the ultimate tea latte recipe with a hint of sweetness and boost of caffeine. Perfect for cold winter mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups!
This post was updated in March 2024 with helpful tips & tricks to make this recipe easier for you to make. It has 40+ 5 star reviews so I know you’ll love it!
How has it been 18 years since I graduated from high school? I mean I have zero interest in turning back time or reliving my high school days, but it really doesn’t feel like 18 years have passed.
But for all of the changes that have unfolded since my high school days, one thing has remained the same, The London Fog.
When we were old enough to get free periods, me and my sailor suit sporting friends (I do still really miss the uniform…) would walk over to the Forest Hill village to order ourselves a Starbucks London Fog Drink. This was the height of Mary Kate and Ashley sporting their Venti Starbucks Lattes, but we weren’t nearly old enough to appreciate or enjoy coffee. The London Fog was the perfect solution. A Starbucks London Fog tea latte that was sweet and delicious without the unappetizing taste of coffee (how little teenage Davida knew…).
What is a London Fog?
For those of you who don’t know, a London Fog is an earl grey tea latte with foamy milk and vanilla. The most important factors are these:
- The right kind of tea- good quality Earl Grey Tea is essential. It adds that bergamot flavor that is quintessential for a London Fog. You could also reach for lavender earl grey which is a nice variation.
- Hot, foamy milk – you can use whatever kind of milk you like but I prefer almond or oat milk in my lattes
- Vanilla – Starbucks uses their pumps of vanilla syrup but vanilla extract will work just fine.
- Sweetener – you can opt out of sweetener but I do find a little bit of raw honey builds out the flavor of this London Fog
It was the perfect sweet drink at 16 and remains my go-to Starbucks drink. Once I was old enough to start drinking coffee (ahem, college), The London Fog became my afternoon pick-me-up during finals and remains a nice afternoon treat and caffeine boost for those extra tired days.
Do You Need a Frother?
Nope! I prefer to use a frother since I upgraded my frother but mainly so I can eat the foam with a spoon. You can always pour your milk into a mug and heat in the microwave or heat on a stovetop, though it will be warm milk rather than steamed milk. If you have a frother I highly recommend it!
How to Make a London Fog
- Make the Tea – Boil water in a kettle. Steep your tea bag in 1/2 cup of hot water for 3-5 mins (depending on strength preference)
- Froth Your Milk – Mix together almond milk and vanilla extract and steam or froth depending on what tools you have.*
- Sweeten – Stir sweetener in with steeped hot tea and top with frothed milk.
*If you don’t have a milk frother, heat up milk on stove top. It won’t get foamy but it does the trick!
Is a London Fog Caffeinated?
Yes it is. While it has much less caffeine than a coffee or espresso, Black Tea does contain caffeine. I find it’s an easier caffeine boost for that 3:00 PM crash because it doesn’t contain quite as much caffeine as coffee. You could also opt for decaf earl grey tea if you prefer.
–>London Fog FAQs
They are very very similar. An earl grey tea latte would be steeped earl grey tea + milk (and optional sweetener if desired). A London Fog is the same thing plus added vanilla and sweetener.
Yes! Simply steep the tea then allow it to cool in the fridge. Instead of frothing the milk you’ll just combine the cooled steeped tea, milk, sweetener and vanilla over ice.
Absolutely! This London Fog recipe tastes great with whatever kind of milk you have on hand or prefer. My personal favorites are vanilla almond but oat milk, coconut milk or even whole milk all taste great!
It’s a personal preference! I like to control the amount of sweetness in my recipes and rather than using pumped vanilla (Starbucks uses 3-5 pumps which is a lot of sugar) I prefer to use honey and vanilla extract.
This london fog recipes serves 1. You can always double or triple it if desired.
Yes! A london fog typically uses Earl Grey tea but you can make a different tea latte recipe by subbing in whatever tea you prefer.
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- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Pumpkin Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- Oat Milk Lattes – 3 Ways!
- Healthy Hot Chocolate
- Turmeric Latte Recipe
- DIY Cold Brew Coffee
- Lavender Simple Syrup
How To Make a London Fog
Have you ever wondered how to make a London Fog Drink? It’s the ultimate tea latte recipe with a hint of sweetness and boost of caffeine. Perfect for cold winter mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups!
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 6 minutes
- Yield: 1 mug 1x
- Category: Drink
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk of choice)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp raw honey, maple syrup or sweetener of choice
Instructions
- Steep your tea bag in 1/2 cup of hot water for 3-5 mins (depending on strength preference)
- Mix together almond milk and vanilla extract and steam or froth depending on what tools you have.*
- Stir sweetener in with steeped tea and top with frothed milk.
- Enjoy hot!
*If you don’t have a frother, heat up milk on stove top. It won’t get foamy but it does the trick!
A London Fog is my go-to Starbucks drink as well so I was thrilled to find this post! It’s rainy here today so I think I’ll be making one of these ASAP! I would love to try the Lavender. That sounds so yummy and the perfect touch to a London Fog. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’m curious, what kind of frother do you have? I don’t have a steamer/espresso machine so I need a good frother!
i’d love to try this drink! and maybe add a splash of ginger
Have not tried one, putting it on my “try new things” list. Earl Grey is a classic fav of mine.
I love the lavender earl grey. I love a nice cup of tea while relaxing.
I am SO excited about the lavender earl grey! I’ve been looking for an affordable version for years. And now as new mum, this will be the perfect quick&easy little caffeine boost to get me through the day (especially as baby girl doesn’t react well to coffee)!
Would love to try the lavender or bold. This sound delicious!!
Extra bold! I’ve never heard of a London Fog. I’ve always just drank my tea plain. Never tried putting milk in it!!
Ahh I just got an email about my 10 year high school reunion too – so crazy to think it’s been 10 years already!!!
I was a chai latte girl in high school. I didn’t even know London Fogs were a thing back then! But I’ve definitely tried them since, and I’ve added them into the rotation as one of my favourites.
I’ve been looking into getting a frother because all I have at home is one of those hand held ones that only keep milk frothed for like 2 seconds lol. What kind do you use?
This one!!! It’s legit the most amazing thing ever. It froths almond milk, which I thought was impossible haha
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UHZAYS/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=theheamav04-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B001UHZAYS&linkId=3e75a75c58208ffebed2df2f769a65df
Thanks so much!!
Lavender Earl Grey sounds lovely! I usually drink my tea black, but if I’m feeling nostalgic, a bit of milk and sugar. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to try the Lavender Earl Grey!
My go-to tea drink is chai tea or a chai latte. Love all those warming spiced to jump start the day.