London Fog Tea Latte

Whether winter or summer, a moment of sanctuary always calls for a London Fog Tea Latte. Cozy drinks are my thing. I love my morning RYZE Mushroom Coffee as part of my morning ritual, but the porch is the perfect spot for a London Fog in the afternoon for a pick-me-up. Perfect served hot with frothy milk in the winter and on ice in the summer.

Needing a Cozy Pick-Me-Up

As I said, I love my morning RYZE Mushroom Coffee, but when I need an afternoon pick-me-up, I don’t head for a bag of chips or a chocolate bar; I take my time to prepare something special and cozy, nourishing, and delicious that I can sip on and savor. Ultimately, I gravitate to my favorite Kolkata signature Masala Chai mix or swing for an Earl Grey London Fog Tea Latte.

The name alone intrigued me when I first heard Cambria Joy prepare one on her YouTube channel. She is a cozy drink girl, too. Just envision an overcast day walking down the cobblestone streets of London, and you’ve got the gist of it. You will understand how this cozy drink got its name when you watch the warmed milk hit the blackened tea, creating a large, plumy cloud reminiscent of the fog settling over London Town.

The base is Earl Grey Tea, which has a flavor profile of black tea, bergamot oil, lavender, and vanilla notes. It is then sweetened with maple syrup and vanilla bean paste, topped with frothy milk and a sprinkle of lavender (should you so desire). I think I am feeling the need for one right now.

an up close image of a London fog with lavender buds sprinkled

Recipe for a London Fog Latte (Hot)

7 oz hot water
2 bags or 2 scoops loose-leaf Earl Grey tea
2 tsp. maple syrup
1/2 to 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup steamed and frothy milk

Steep two tea bags or two scoops of loose-leaf Earl Grey tea in 7oz of boiling water for 3 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. Warm 1/2 cup of milk of choice in a small pan and use a milk frother to froth it as it warms. Pour over the top of your steeped and sweetened tea, and sprinkle with lavender buds (just to make it pretty), and sit with your feet propped up and think of all the blessings you experience daily…drinking this London Fog is one of them.

Choosing Your Grey

Feel free to use any two bags of Earl Grey Tea you like, but I prefer to incorporate some healthy adaptogens that help me start my day with a clear head. Achieve Clarity, by Teamotions, is one of my favorites from their line of teas. These wellness teas are blended with stress-reducing adaptogen herbs that support emotional health. Each of their six tea blends targets specific emotional needs such as achieving clarity, discovering joy, seeking peace, having hope, enjoying rest, and finding strength. I love them all, but I use Achieve Clarity, their vanilla Earl Grey blend because it improves memory and focus and is the best Earl Grey blend I have tasted.

London Fog on Ice

No need to skip the sweet moments of special just because the weather warms up. A London Fog is delicious over ice. The process is completely different and requires a little more preparation for the “iced” version. But fear not; there is no need to prepare the ice cubes or even cold brew the tea if you are looking for quick, but it is all part of the process of creating that moment of sanctuary.

iced London fog tea latte on a silver tray with straw and ice cubes

Preparing the Ice Cubes

I only prepare these Earl Grey ice cubes because it is a trick I learned that doesn’t water down my drink but adds more flavor as it melts. Feel free to use regular ice cubes. They do require preparation at least four hours before, so I make them the night before. The milk requires an overnight steep as well, so if you can think of this as a drink you prep the night before, then you are prepared to assemble at a moment’s notice the following day. Just steep two tea bags or two scoops of loose leaf in 8oz of boiling water and steep for three minutes. Allow to cool, pour into ice cube trays, and freeze for at least four hours.

Cold Brewing the Tea

Cold Brewing the tea is a completely different process from the hot London Fog recipe. There is no water involved. Simply steep two tea bags of Earl Grey tea in a quart of milk of choice overnight in the refrigerator. Notice there is enough milk for two servings for you and a special someone or two days of special for yourself. I am telling you, though, don’t let anyone taste this if you are unwilling to share. One quart of cold brewed tea will go by fast.

Assembling a London Fog on Ice

The following day, when the ice cubes are frozen, and the milk is cold brewed, fill a glass with several ice cubes, 8 oz of the prepared milk, 2 tsp. maple syrup and 1/2-1 tsp vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract. Stir, serve with a glass straw or stainless steel straw, and catch some vitamin D in the sun’s warm rays.