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London Fog

A London Fog recipe transforms your kitchen into a cozy cafe with just a few simple ingredients: Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla. This creamy, comforting drink offers the perfect balance of floral bergamot notes and silky sweetness that makes it ideal for chilly mornings or afternoon pick-me-ups.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: British
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 Earl Grey tea bag or 1 tablespoon loose leaf Earl Grey tea
  • 6 ounces hot water just under boiling, around 200°F
  • 1 cup milk whole milk, 2%, or your preferred variety
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract plus 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sweetener of choice optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried lavender for extra floral notes optional

Equipment

  • Kettle or small saucepan for boiling water
  • Mug or teacup (12-16 ounce capacity)
  • Small saucepan for heating milk
  • Milk frother, French press, or whisk
  • Fine mesh strainer or tea infuser
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon for stirring

Method
 

  1. Heat your water to just under boiling, around 200°F. If you don't have a thermometer, bring water to a boil and let it sit for 30 seconds.
  2. Place the Earl Grey tea bag in your mug and pour the hot water over it. Let it steep for 4 to 5 minutes for a strong, robust tea base.
  3. While the tea steeps, pour your milk into a small saucepan over medium heat. Warm it until it reaches about 150°F to 160°F, with small bubbles forming around the edges but not boiling.
  4. Remove the milk from heat and froth it using your preferred method. A handheld frother takes about 30 seconds, while whisking vigorously for a minute also works.
  5. Remove the tea bag from your mug and stir in the vanilla syrup and honey if using. Mix thoroughly until everything dissolves completely.
  6. Pour the frothed milk slowly into the tea, holding back the foam with a spoon. Once the liquid milk is added, spoon the remaining foam on top.
  7. If using dried lavender, add it to the tea during the steeping process in Step 2. Strain it out along with the tea leaves before adding milk.
  8. Serve immediately while hot and the foam is still pillowy. Give it a quick stir before drinking to blend the layers.

Notes

Use a good quality Earl Grey tea for the best results. Cheap tea bags often contain mostly dust and produce a flat, one-dimensional flavor, while premium Earl Grey has robust black tea leaves properly infused with real bergamot oil that creates complex, aromatic depth. Steep your tea covered to trap the aromatic oils. Double the tea bag or use loose leaf tea for a more concentrated brew that stands up better to the milk.