This easy Copycat Starbucks London Fog recipe brings the classic drink to your kitchen! Made with Earl Grey tea and steamed milk, the flavors of vanilla and bergamot in this drink are as cozy as a hand-knitted sweater.
HOMEMADE STARBUCKS LONDON FOG TEA LATTE
I love making this classic London Fog when I want to treat myself to some “me” time. All I need is a good book, a cozy nook and a steaming mug of this drink. The frothy steamed milk takes an ordinary cup of Earl Grey and makes it extra special, and a tiny bit of pure vanilla extract elevates the drink to pro-barista perfection!
WHAT’S IN A LONDON FOG?
- Water: Pure, filtered water is best.
- Tea: To make two London Fog tea lattes, you’ll need one Earl Grey tea bag, or the equivalent amount of loose tea leaves.
- Milk: I use 2% milk, but any other will work, including oat or nut milk.
- Light Brown Sugar: This sweetener adds a pleasant caramel note to the final cup, but you can use any sweetener of your choice!
- Vanilla: For the best flavor, use pure vanilla extract.
- Dried lavender flowers or dried tea leaves: For garnish. This is optional, but it does look pretty!
CAN YOU USE LOOSE-LEAF TEA?
Yes, you can! Just measure the loose leaf tea into your kettle, rather than dropping in tea bags. When it’s time to pour the tea, pour it through a fine mesh strainer, sieve, or tea strainer if you have one. You can also use a tea infuser for an even easier method.
HOW TO MAKE A LONDON FOG
- Make the Tea. Place water in a tea kettle and bring it just to a boil. Then turn off the heat, drop the tea bag into the hot water, cover, and let stand 5 to 8 minutes.
- Sweeten and Heat the Milk. While the water is boiling and the tea is steeping, place milk in a heat-resistant mug and stir in the brown sugar and vanilla. Heat up the milk in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until hot but not boiling. (You can also heat up the milk in a saucepan set over medium-high heat.)
- Froth the Milk. To froth the milk, you will need a milk-frother or a French press. Using a frother, froth the milk for two minutes, or until foamy. To use a French press, add the milk to the French press and pump the plunger until milk is doubled and frothy.
- Assemble the London Fog. Pour the hot tea into 2 heat-resistant glass mugs. Slowly pour in the milk, holding back the froth with a long spoon; then spoon the froth on top. If you like, you can garnish with earl gray dry tea leaves. Just open up a tea bag and sprinkle some of the tea leaves on top of the London Fog.
- Enjoy!
TIPS FOR THE BEST LONDON FOG LATTE
- Using Vegan Milk: Frothing milk alternatives may not have as thick and creamy a result as you’d like. (Although this oat milk froths pretty well.)
- Top with Whipped Cream or Coconut Cream: If you wish, you can top your London Fog with a few tablespoons of sweetened whipped cream or, for a vegan option, whipped coconut cream. Both makes this drink extra indulgent!
- Extra Tea: If you want the tea taste to come through more strongly, try using two teabags’ worth of Earl Grey to the same amount of water.
- Leftover Coffee Warning: If you do use a French press to froth the milk, be sure to wash it well first to remove any lingering coffee flavor and grounds.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
- Cookies: I love serving tea with a plate of crisp, light cookies. These Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies have a beautiful texture, while the warm flavors of chocolate and caramel contrast perfectly with the bright and creamy London Fog.
- Cake: These little Neapolitan Cakelettes are the perfect treat to add some color and light to a dreary day. They are just so fun, and the classic Neapolitan triple flavor goes with just about anything!
- Sandwiches: A platter of pretty sandwiches can be a snack or even a light lunch, perfect for tea or for tea lattes! You’ll love the bright colors and fresh flavors of my Strawberry Jam Cheese Wedges and Tea Sandwiches.
More Starbucks Copycat Latte Recipes
ENJOY!
Tools Used in this Recipe
Starbucks London Fog Tea Latte
A delightful tea latte made at home prepared with Earl Grey Tea and frothed sweetened milk.
Servings : 2
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tea bag Earl Grey black tea
- ¾ cup milk, you can use 2% milk, or any other milk, including oat or nut milk
- 2 teaspoons light brown sugar, or to taste (or, use a sweetener of your choice)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- dried lavender flowers, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Place water in a tea kettle and bring to a boil.
- Turn the burner off.
- Remove the lid of the tea kettle and drop in the tea bag; cover and let stand 5 to 8 minutes.
- In the meantime, place milk in a heat-resistant mug and stir in the brown sugar and vanilla.
- Heat up the milk in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until hot. DO NOT BOIL. Watch it very closely. You can also heat up the milk in a saucepan set over medium-high heat. I use my glass measuring cups for this part and just heat up the milk in the microwave.
- Remove milk from heat or from the microwave.
- To froth the milk you will need a milk-frother OR you can use a French Press.
- Using a frother, froth the milk for two minutes, or until frothy. To use a French Press, add the milk to the French Press and pump the plunger until milk is doubled and frothy.
- Pour the hot tea in 2 heat-resistant glass mugs.
- Slowly pour in the milk, holding back the froth with a long spoon; then, spoon the froth on top.
- Optional: Garnish with dried lavender flowers or earl gray dry tea leaves. (open up a tea bag and sprinkle some of the tea leaves on top of the tea)
- Serve hot.
Notes
- If you do not have a milk-frother or a French press, you can just skip the frothing part.
- You can also add caramel syrup to the milk before heating it up.
- Try adding a bit of ground cinnamon + a sprinkle of ground nutmeg - it's delicious!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 cup | Calories: 77 kcal | Carbohydrates: 9 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 9 mg | Sodium: 50 mg | Potassium: 121 mg | Sugar: 9 g | Vitamin A: 148 IU | Calcium: 109 mg | Net Carbs: 9 g
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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