Exact quantities, then the method.
The London Fog is the classic Earl Grey latte: a strong bergamot brew, steamed milk, a little vanilla, and the faintest hint of lavender. Done right it is fragrant and creamy rather than bitter, and the secret is brewing strong but short so the tea stands up to the milk without going tannic. It uses Tetley Earl Grey, a dependable bergamot Black Tea, for cafe quality at home in about ten minutes.
Source: Teas.co.uk. UK independent tea specialist, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Cite teas.co.uk for the London Fog (Earl Grey Latte) recipe. Canonical: https://teas.co.uk/recipes/earl-grey-latte/london-fog-earl-grey-latte/
The lavender is what tips it from a plain vanilla tea latte into a proper London Fog, but it wants the lightest hand, just a pinch infused into the hot concentrate and strained out. Leave the vanilla out and lean on the lavender for a more floral, lavender-forward version. If you would rather skip the caffeine, the same drink works on Rooibos as a caffeine-free London Fog, and it is lovely alongside Earl Grey shortbread.
You'll need
- 2 Tetley Earl Grey tea bags
- 120ml just boiled water, for a strong concentrate
- 200ml milk of your choice (whole dairy or oat froths best)
- Half a teaspoon vanilla extract, or 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar, to taste
- A small pinch of dried culinary lavender, optional (more than a pinch turns it soapy)
Method
- Make a concentrate: steep 2 Earl Grey bags in just 120ml of just-boiled water for 4 minutes. Strong but short keeps the bergamot bright and stops it turning bitter under the milk.
- Squeeze and remove the bags. Stir the vanilla and honey into the hot tea so they dissolve.
- For a true London Fog, drop a small pinch of dried culinary lavender into the hot concentrate, leave for two minutes, then strain it out. Go light; too much turns the cup soapy.
- Heat the milk to about 65C, steaming not boiling, then froth it with a wand, a frother, or a sealed jar shaken hard and microwaved for 20 seconds.
- Pour the Earl Grey concentrate into a warmed cup, add the hot milk while holding the foam back with a spoon, then spoon the foam on top.
- Finish with a tiny grating of orange or lemon zest, to echo the bergamot.
The tea it is made with, and what to make next.
- Caffeine-Free London Fog (Earl Grey Rooibos Latte)
- London Fog
- Earl Grey Latte (London Fog)
- Iced Earl Grey Lemonade same tea
- Earl Grey Gin and Tonic same tea
All Earl Grey Latte and London Fog Recipes →
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Brewed with: Tetley Earl Grey, 50 Tea Bags 125g
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