London Fog tea is a drink made with milk and black tea. It has become popular lately, making people wonder: what is a London Fog tea, and how do I make it?
If you’ve heard someone order or mention a London Fog tea, you may be wondering: what is a London Fog tea? It has a fancy name, making it sound mysterious but proper at the same time. But it’s a relatively popular drink that’s been around for a few decades and has consistently grown in popularity.
A London Fog tea is a brewed cup of Earl Grey tea that has an added sweetener. The brewed tea is topped with steamed milk that sinks but also sits on top for a foamy texture. Many people consider this drink a type of latte that substitutes coffee with black tea.
A latte usually consists of espresso shots with steamed and frothed milk on top. But lattes don’t necessarily need to have a sweetener in them.
How to Make a London Fog Tea
If you want to make a London Fog at home, we can help! The most sophisticated piece of equipment you will need is a milk steamer or frother. Then you are all set to make the perfect London Fog tea in your kitchen!
If you need some guidance on milk steamers or frothers, follow the links here. We have got it covered with our articles on common steaming milk mistakes the most popular milk frother.
Ingredients
- Earl Grey tea (it can be a bag or loose-leaf)
- Sweetener (sugar, honey, or simple syrup will all work)
- Milk (you can use any milk you want like oat, nut, skim, but cow’s milk produces the frothiest effect.)
- Lavender petal or vanilla (optional)
Tools
- Tea kettle (electric or stovetop)
- Milk steamer or frother
- Tea strainer (if using loose-leaf)
Steps
- Add your sweetener of choice to the bottom of the cup or mug you intend to use.
- Brew the tea by boiling water and then steeping the tea for 2-3 minutes in the mug or cup. Leave enough room at the top to add the milk after.
- Remove the tea bag or leaves and discard.
- Steam the milk in a separate container. Gently pour it over the brewed tea. If you like the extra froth or have trouble getting it out of the container, use a spoon to scoop it out and put it on top of your drink.
- If you have lavender petals or vanilla, sprinkle a pinch on the foamed milk. Both will add to the floral aroma and taste of the drink.
Other Names for London Fog Tea
Not everyone calls this drink a London Fog tea. Below are different names for the London Fog tea that baristas may be more familiar with. These names are also more self-explanatory:
- Earl Grey Latte
- Tea Latte
- Earl Grey Lavender Latte
- London Fog Latte
You might also be interested in our Mullein tea explainer.
Variations
If you want to experiment with the London Fog recipe, there are some popular variations you can try. London Fogs are tasty, but many people prefer one of the variations below in caffeine content and flavor.
Dirty London Fog
A Dirty Long Fog tea is just like a Dirty Chai latte. The process for making the drink is the same, but you add a shot of espresso when you put the sweetener in your cup.
Green Tea Latte
A green tea latte is the same as a London Fog; just replace the Earl Grey tea with green tea.
FAQs on What Is A London Fog Tea
If you have more questions about London Fog teas, read the commonly asked questions below.
Can London Fogs Be Iced?
Yes, a London Fog can be iced, but it does change the drink significantly, especially the texture. A main component of the London Fog is the frothiness of the milk that sits on top of and sinks into the tea.
But with an iced London Fog, you usually pour the milk right into the tea, so it completely mixes, as opposed to the froth sitting on top.
If you have a cold milk frother, try to achieve the same foamy texture. But it likely won’t offer the same experience as a hot London Fog.
Where Did London Fogs Originate?
A woman named Mary Loria invented the drink in the late 1990s in Vancouver, Canada. She was pregnant, and so decided to replace her normal coffee order at the Buckwheat Cafe with the less-caffeinated London Fog. So despite the name, the drink does not hail from London!
