A London Fog turns Earl Grey tea into a smooth, comforting latte: a concentrated infusion, warm frothed milk and a touch of vanilla, balanced so the bergamot still comes through. Done properly, it should taste neither overly milky nor sugary, and the tea should never become bitter.
The recipe is simple, but the details matter: tea dose, water temperature, steeping time and the tea-to-milk ratio. This guide gives you a reliable method for a homemade London Fog, plus an iced version, no-added-sugar options and advice on choosing the best milk.
What is a London Fog?
A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte. Unlike a café latte, it contains no espresso. Its flavour comes from black tea scented with bergamot, softened with vanilla and frothed milk. The result sits halfway between a classic cup of tea and a coffee-shop-style milk drink.
Bergamot contributes a fresh, citrusy, lightly floral note; black tea adds depth; vanilla rounds the edges; and milk softens the tannins. For an especially lively citrus profile, Russian Earl Grey, based on Assam black tea with bergamot, lemon and grapefruit, works particularly well.
For a deeper look at the blend, see our guide to Russian Earl Grey.
Hot London Fog recipe
Ingredients for one large mug
- 200 ml water
- 3–4 g loose-leaf Earl Grey, about 1 heaped teaspoon
- 120–150 ml milk or plant-based drink
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, adjusted to strength
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup, honey or sugar, optional
Start with little or no sweetener. Vanilla already creates an impression of sweetness, and too much sugar can flatten Earl Grey's citrus notes.
Step 1: brew a concentrated tea
Heat water to around 90–95°C. Pour it over the tea and steep for 3–4 minutes. Rather than extending the steep until the tea becomes astringent, use enough leaf to keep the flavour present after milk is added. Strain completely when the time is up.
Step 2: add vanilla and adjust sweetness
Stir the vanilla into the hot tea. Taste before sweetening. If needed, add a small amount of honey, maple syrup or sugar and stir until dissolved. Adjusting at this stage is easier than trying to correct an already milk-heavy drink.
Step 3: heat and froth the milk
Warm the milk without boiling it, ideally to 55–65°C, then froth it with an electric frother, steam wand or manual method. No machine? Our guide to frothing a latte without a machine explains several easy techniques. You can also find useful tools in our accessories collection.
Step 4: assemble
Pour the Earl Grey infusion into a large glass or mug. Add the warm milk gradually and finish with foam. A useful starting point is roughly 60% tea to 40% milk. Adjust from there: the bergamot should still be clearly recognisable in the first sip.
Which milk works best?
Dairy milk
Whole milk gives the roundest texture and dense foam; semi-skimmed milk is lighter while still frothing well.
Oat milk
Oat is particularly well suited to Earl Grey because its gentle sweetness complements vanilla without overwhelming bergamot. A barista version usually gives more stable foam.
Almond milk
Almond makes a lighter drink with a nutty edge. Choose an unsweetened or lightly sweetened version so it does not dominate the citrus notes.
Soy milk
Soy has good body and froths reliably thanks to its protein content, although its flavour is more pronounced.
How to avoid a weak or bitter London Fog
1. Too much milk
A normally brewed cup of tea can disappear once diluted with lots of milk. Start with a concentrated infusion and add milk gradually.
2. Steeping for too long
Longer is not always stronger in a pleasant way. With black tea it can mainly increase astringency. Increase the amount of tea rather than pushing the steeping time.
3. Too much vanilla
Vanilla should connect the tea and milk, not turn the drink into liquid dessert. Start small and adjust.
4. Too much sugar
A London Fog can be excellent without added sugar, especially with naturally sweet oat milk. If you sweeten it, do so progressively.
Iced London Fog
The drink also works beautifully cold. To avoid a watery result, make the tea more concentrated.
Ingredients
- 120 ml hot water
- 4 g Earl Grey
- 120 ml cold milk or plant-based drink
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- optional sweetener
- a generous handful of ice
Method
- Steep the tea for 3–4 minutes in 120 ml hot water, then strain.
- Add vanilla and optional sweetener while the tea is still warm.
- Let it cool for a few minutes.
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Pour in the concentrated tea, then the cold milk.
- Stir and serve immediately.
For extra texture, froth the milk cold before pouring. The key is to keep the tea strong enough to withstand melting ice.
For more summer ideas, explore our iced latte recipes.
Can you make a London Fog without added sugar?
Yes. Sugar is not structurally necessary. A fragrant infusion, naturally sweet milk and a small amount of vanilla are often enough. If you use commercial vanilla syrup, remember that it usually contains sugar already; vanilla extract gives you more control.
What about a caffeine-free version?
Traditional Earl Grey made with black tea naturally contains caffeine. For a genuinely caffeine-free drink, use decaffeinated Earl Grey or a caffeine-free infusion flavoured with bergamot. A citrus rooibos can create a similar creamy ritual, although it will not taste exactly like a classic London Fog. For another caffeine-free option, try our rooibos latte recipe.
Hot or iced: which one should you choose?
The hot version is softer and more enveloping; the iced version highlights Earl Grey's fresh citrus character. In both cases, build the drink around the tea rather than the milk: brew precisely, taste, then add vanilla, sweetness and milk in stages.
Frequently asked questions
Which tea should I use for a London Fog?
A fragrant black Earl Grey is the classic choice. A more citrus-forward Russian Earl Grey also works very well.
How much tea should I use?
For a large mug, use about 3–4 g of tea for 200 ml water. The infusion should be slightly stronger than tea served on its own.
Can I make it with plant-based milk?
Yes. Oat gives a creamy result, soy froths well and almond gives a lighter profile.
Does a London Fog contain coffee?
No. The classic recipe uses Earl Grey tea, not coffee or espresso. Black tea does contain caffeine unless decaffeinated.
Can I prepare it ahead?
You can brew the tea in advance for an iced version. For a hot London Fog, froth the milk just before serving for the best texture.
