London Fog Tea is a cozy Earl Grey latte with steamed milk, honey, and vanilla. Easy to make at home for a smooth café-style drink.
Earl Grey is one of my top tier teas, one that I have every day, and I love me a nice cup of London Fog tea, also called a London Fog latte by people trying to act fancy. It's truly one of my favorite orders from cafes. When I realized how easy it is to make at home, I stopped ordering them because I can make it exactly how I like it for a fraction of the cost.
This drink has that distinct bergamot aroma mixed with smooth, creamy milk that creates this velvety texture. The honey adds gentle sweetness that's floral and mellow, while the vanilla gives it that rich, fragrant finish. The frothed milk creates this thick, airy foam on top that makes every sip feel like cafe-quality.
I make this whenever I want something cozy and comforting, especially during colder months or when I need to drink something in the afternoon that's not as strong as coffee. It only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish, and most of that is just waiting for the tea to steep.
When I was first testing my own recipe, I was determined to replicate my coffee shop usual or make something even better. After getting the milk froth just right and finding the perfect balance of sweetness, I realized I'd been wasting money all along. Now my friends come over specifically asking if I'll make them "that tea latte thing" because they know mine tastes better than what they can buy.
Ingredients
The Earl Grey tea is what makes this drink special and different from regular lattes. The bergamot gives it that distinctive citrus smell that works so well with creamy milk. I use two tea bags for a stronger flavor, but you can adjust based on how bold you want your tea.
Raw honey is my go-to sweetener here because it adds this gentle floral taste that pairs perfectly with both the tea and vanilla. If you don't have honey, maple syrup works too and gives you a deeper sweetness. The vanilla extract ties everything together and gives the drink that smooth, fragrant finish that makes it taste like something from a café.
Warm milk is essential for getting that latte texture, and any kind works fine whether you use dairy or non-dairy options. The key is frothing it up until it doubles in size so you get that thick foam on top.
See the recipe card for exact quantities.
Step-by-step Instructions
A London fog is a cozy tea latte made with Earl Grey, steamed milk, and just a touch of sweetness. It’s simple to prepare at home and feels like a comforting café drink without any complicated steps.
Steep the Tea
Start by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil. Place the Earl Grey tea bags in a heatproof mug or teapot and pour the boiling water over them. Let the tea steep for 3–5 minutes, depending on how strong you like it. Remove the tea bags and set the tea aside.
Warm and Froth the Milk
Pour 1 cup of milk into a microwave-safe container and heat it for about 1 ½ to 2 minutes, just until warm but not boiling. Use a milk frother to whip the milk until it becomes foamy and has doubled in size. Stir in the vanilla extract so it blends evenly with the milk.
Combine the Tea and Milk
Add 2–3 teaspoons of raw honey to the steeped tea, stirring until dissolved. Divide the tea evenly into two cups. Carefully pour the warm milk into each cup, using a spoon to hold back the foam as you pour. Once the milk is in, gently spoon the foam over the top of each cup to finish.
Serve
Serve the London Fog immediately while it’s still hot, and enjoy it plain or with a small cookie on the side.
Top Tips for London Fog Tea
Steep smart: Don’t steep the Earl Grey for too long or it can turn bitter. Aim for 3–5 minutes.
Froth the milk: A little foam makes the drink feel like a latte. Use a frother, whisk, or shake the milk in a jar before warming.
Sweetener swap: Honey is classic, but maple syrup or agave can be used if you want a different flavor profile.
Other Drinks to Try
If you enjoy the cozy feel of a london fog tea, I have plenty of other tea-based drinks you should try. The lemon iced tea mocktail keeps things simple and bright, making it a good choice for warm afternoons. For something a little creamier, the iced raspberry matcha latte with coconut milk adds fruitiness to the earthiness of matcha.
When you’re looking for calming flavors, the non-alcoholic chamomile mocktail is light and floral, while blackberry tea leans into deeper berry notes. If you want a drink that feels striking in both color and flavor, the butterfly pea flower tea recipe is a fun one to try, especially with its natural blue hue. Each of these drinks pairs well with the soothing mood of a london fog, just with different takes on flavor and style.
London Fog Tea
Ingredients
- 2 cups of boiling water
- 2 bags of Earl Grey tea
- 1 cup warm milk of your choice
- 2-3 teaspoon raw honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Boil water and let the Earl Grey teabags steep for 3-5 minutes.
- Warm up the milk for 1.30-2 minutes in the microwave, and then froth it with a frother until thick foam appears and has at least doubled in size.
- Add the vanilla extract to the milk and mix well.
- Add the honey to the tea.
- Divide the tea over 2 cups.
- Use a spoon, holding back the foam and divide the hot milk over the 2 cups.
- Then using a spoon, add the milk foam on top op the tea.
- Serve while hot.
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