This homemade London Fog Latte is creamy, comforting, and infused with the delicate citrus notes of Earl Grey tea. Made with warm milk, fragrant Earl Grey, a splash of vanilla, and a touch of sweetness, this easy 5-minute tea latte tastes like something from your favorite coffee shop!
Enjoy it hot for a cozy afternoon treat or serve it over ice for a refreshing twist. It's easy to make dairy-free, too!
Tea under a canopy of blossoms 🌸
Jump to:
- 🇬🇧 Why Is It Called a London Fog?
- ❤️ Why You'll Love This London Fog Latte
- 🥄 Ingredients You Need
- 🎥 My Latest Video
- 👩🏻🍳 How to Make a London Fog Latte
- ⭐ London Fog Latte Variations
- ❓ FAQS
- Tips and Tricks for the Perfect London Fog Latte
- ☕ Make-Ahead, Storage and Reheating
- Drink recipes for you to try next time
🇬🇧 Why Is It Called a London Fog?
The London Fog Latte gets its name from its soft, misty appearance, which is said to resemble London's famous foggy weather. Made with fragrant Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla, this comforting drink has a creamy layer of foam that gives it that signature foggy look.
Despite its name, the London Fog Latte is generally believed to have originated in Vancouver, Canada, rather than London!
If you love the warm, aromatic flavors of tea, you might also enjoy my Spicy Chai Latte Cake. It's a delicious treat to serve alongside your afternoon cuppa!
❤️ Why You'll Love This London Fog Latte
- Ready in 5 minutes: A quick and easy homemade tea latte that's perfect for busy mornings or relaxing afternoons.
- Creamy and comforting: Warm milk, fragrant Earl Grey tea, and vanilla create a beautifully smooth and cozy drink.
- Simple ingredients: You only need a handful of everyday ingredients to make this coffee-shop favorite at home.
- Easy to make dairy-free: Use oat, almond, or soy milk for a delicious vegan-friendly London Fog Latte.
- Delicious hot or iced: Enjoy it warm on chilly days or pour it over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
- No coffee needed: Made with Earl Grey tea instead of espresso, although it still contains caffeine from the black tea.
🥄 Ingredients You Need
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this creamy London Fog Latte at home!
Earl Grey Tea: The star of this recipe! Use good-quality Earl Grey tea bags or loose-leaf tea. Earl Grey has a lovely citrusy flavor from bergamot, which gives a London Fog its signature taste.
Hot Water: Use freshly boiled water to steep your Earl Grey tea. Letting the tea brew properly creates a stronger flavor that won't get lost when you add the milk.
Milk of Choice: Regular dairy milk works beautifully, but oat, almond, soy, or cashew milk are great alternatives. I especially love oat milk for its creamy texture and ability to froth.
Vanilla Extract: A little vanilla adds that classic London Fog flavor and balances the citrus notes of the Earl Grey tea. You can also use vanilla syrup for extra sweetness.
Sweetener of Choice: Honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, or sugar all work well. Start with a little and adjust to your taste. For a vegan London Fog Latte, use maple syrup or another plant-based sweetener instead of honey.
Ground Cinnamon (Optional): Sprinkle a little cinnamon over the foamy milk for a warm, cozy finishing touch.
🎥 My Latest Video
👩🏻🍳 How to Make a London Fog Latte
For exact ingredient quantities and measurements, head to the recipe card below.
Making a homemade London Fog Latte is surprisingly easy! Follow these five simple steps for a creamy Earl Grey tea latte in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Brew the Earl Grey Tea
Bring the water to a boil and pour it over your Earl Grey tea bags or loose-leaf tea. Allow the tea to steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
Step 2: Warm the Milk
While the tea is steeping, gently heat your milk of choice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm it until steaming, but don't let it boil.
Step 3: Froth the Milk
For that café-style finish, use a handheld milk frother to create a light, creamy foam. If you don't have a frother, you can simply use the warm milk.
Step 4: Add Vanilla and Sweetener
Remove the tea bags or strain the loose leaves. Stir in the vanilla extract and your preferred sweetener. Pour the warm milk over the brewed tea, spooning the foam on top.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy!
Finish with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon if you like. Serve your homemade London Fog Latte immediately while it's lovely and warm.
Nikki's Kitchen Tip 💗: For a stronger Earl Grey flavor, steep the tea for the full 5 minutes rather than adding extra water. This helps the bergamot flavor shine through the creamy milk.
⭐ London Fog Latte Variations
One of my favorite things about this homemade London Fog Latte is how easy it is to customize! Whether you prefer it iced, dairy-free, or extra creamy, there's a version for everyone.
Vanilla London Fog Latte
Love vanilla? Add an extra splash of vanilla syrup or a little vanilla bean paste for a sweeter, more fragrant Earl Grey latte. The vanilla pairs beautifully with the citrusy bergamot flavor.
Iced London Fog Latte
Perfect for warmer days! Brew your Earl Grey tea slightly stronger than usual, then allow it to cool completely. Fill a glass with ice, pour in the tea, and top with cold milk, vanilla, and your favorite sweetener.
Vegan London Fog Latte
Making a dairy-free London Fog Latte couldn't be easier! Simply swap regular milk for oat, almond, soy, or cashew milk. I love using oat milk because it creates a lovely creamy texture. Use maple syrup instead of honey to keep it completely vegan.
London Fog Bubble Tea
For a fun twist, add cooked tapioca pearls to the bottom of your glass. Pour over cooled Earl Grey tea, milk, and vanilla syrup for a delicious London Fog-inspired bubble tea.
Nikki's Kitchen Tip 💗: If you're making the iced version, sweeten the tea while it's still warm. This helps sugar dissolve properly before you add the ice.
❓ FAQS
A London Fog is a type of Earl Grey latte made with brewed Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, vanilla, and usually a sweetener. The vanilla gives a London Fog its signature flavor, while a basic Earl Grey latte may simply contain tea and milk.
Yes! A traditional London Fog Latte contains caffeine because Earl Grey is made with black tea. However, it generally contains less caffeine than a coffee-based latte. You can use decaffeinated Earl Grey tea if you prefer.
Absolutely! Oat, almond, soy, and cashew milk all work beautifully in this recipe. I especially recommend oat milk for its creamy texture. To make your London Fog completely vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
Yes! Brew your Earl Grey tea slightly stronger than usual and let it cool completely. Pour it over ice, then add cold milk, vanilla, and your preferred sweetener. It's a delicious and refreshing alternative to the traditional hot London Fog Latte.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect London Fog Latte
☕ Choose Good-Quality Earl Grey Tea: Earl Grey is the star of this recipe! Choose a tea you enjoy drinking on its own, as its distinctive bergamot flavor is what makes a London Fog Latte so delicious.
💧 Don't Over-Steep the Tea: Steep your Earl Grey for 3–5 minutes. Leaving the tea bags in too long can make your latte taste bitter.
🥛 Froth Your Milk: For that lovely coffee-shop finish, use a handheld milk frother to create a creamy layer of foam. Oat milk and regular dairy milk are both great options.
🍯 Sweeten to Taste: Start with a little honey, maple syrup, or vanilla syrup and adjust to your liking. If you're making a vegan London Fog Latte, choose a plant-based sweetener.
🌸 Don't Skip the Vanilla: Vanilla complements the citrusy bergamot notes of Earl Grey tea and gives this homemade latte its signature flavor.
🧊 Make It Iced: Let your brewed tea cool completely before pouring it over ice. This prevents the ice from melting too quickly and watering down your drink.
💗 Nikki's Kitchen Tip: I like to brew my Earl Grey tea a little stronger when adding lots of milk. It keeps that beautiful tea flavor from getting lost in the creaminess!
☕ Make-Ahead, Storage and Reheating
Can You Make a London Fog Latte Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! If you're short on time in the mornings, you can brew your Earl Grey tea ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
Allow the tea to cool, transfer it to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. When you're ready for your latte, simply warm the tea and add freshly heated milk, vanilla, and your favorite sweetener.
How to Store Leftover London Fog Latte
If you've already mixed your Earl Grey tea with milk, allow it to cool briefly and refrigerate it promptly in a covered container.
For the best flavor and texture, enjoy your leftover London Fog Latte within 24 hours. Give it a good stir before drinking, as the milk and tea may separate slightly.
Can You Reheat a London Fog Latte?
Yes! Gently reheat your London Fog Latte in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring between each one.
Avoid boiling the latte, as overheating can affect the milk's texture.
💗 Nikki's Kitchen Tip: I prefer storing the brewed Earl Grey tea separately and adding fresh milk when I'm ready to drink it. It makes such a difference to the creamy texture!
Drink recipes for you to try next time
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a ★★★★★ star rating & comment below. It genuinely helps me & I really appreciate your support! Nikki 💚
London Fog Latte (Easy 5-Minute Earl Grey Tea Latte)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
This homemade London Fog Latte is creamy, comforting, and infused with the delicate citrus notes of Earl Grey tea. Made with warm milk, fragrant Earl Grey, a splash of vanilla, and a touch of sweetness, this easy 5-minute tea latte tastes like something from your favorite coffee shop!
Ingredients
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag
- ½ cup boiling water
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sweetener of choice (sugar, honey or maple syrup)
Instructions
👩🏻🍳 How to Make a London Fog Latte
- Making a homemade London Fog Latte is surprisingly easy! Follow these five simple steps for a creamy Earl Grey tea latte in just a few minutes.
Step 1: Brew the Earl Grey Tea
- Bring the water to a boil and pour it over your Earl Grey tea bags or loose-leaf tea. Allow the tea to steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it.
Step 2: Warm the Milk
- While the tea is steeping, gently heat your milk of choice in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm it until steaming, but don't let it boil.
Step 3: Froth the Milk
- For that café-style finish, use a handheld milk frother to create a light, creamy foam. If you don't have a frother, you can simply use the warm milk.
Step 4: Add Vanilla and Sweetener
- Remove the tea bags or strain the loose leaves. Stir in the vanilla extract and your preferred sweetener. Pour the warm milk over the brewed tea, spooning the foam on top.
Step 5: Garnish and Enjoy!
- Finish with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon if you like. Serve your homemade London Fog Latte immediately while it's lovely and warm.
- Nikki's Kitchen Tip 💗: For a stronger Earl Grey flavor, steep the tea for the full 5 minutes rather than adding extra water. This helps the bergamot flavor shine through the creamy milk.
Notes
Steamed or Frothed Milk: If you enjoy a latte-like texture, try steaming or frothing the milk before adding it to the tea. This adds a creamy and luxurious feel to the drink.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Steeping
- Cuisine: Canadian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 93 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Protein: 4 g
The nutritional and calorie information provided for this recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the information listed is not guaranteed.
Let me know if you have any questions. Nikki 💜