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Hot tea is a perfect match for steamed milk in this beloved London Fog drink. I’ve enjoyed my tea with a splash of milk for as long as I can remember, but a simple frothy spin takes your average cup of tea to the next level.
My friends, I have a confession to make. I do NOT usually care for “perfume-y” Earl Grey tea (I have a sensitivity to smell that often gives me migraines). But, that said, I actually love a traditional London fog. The vanilla here takes the fragrant edge off of the tea, and it just works. It’s a great combination of flavors. You can make it with any black tea (and if you’re a seasoned tea fan, you’ll want to try this homemade chai tea as well!)
London Fog Tea
My sister gave me this London Fog recipe while I was visiting her over the holidays, years ago. I was surprised by how easy it was and right away I knew I’d be making many more of these amazing beverages in the future.
I came home from that trip, and this tea latte became a daily companion of mine for several weeks. This recipe for a London Fog is the one that has become my favorite, cozy choice when I want to curl up on the couch in the afternoon on a rainy day. I hope that you will love it as much as I do!
I have been wanting to try this drink and I’m glad I tried your recipe. Using what I had on hand I used Earl Gray w/lavender, half and half milk, dash of vanilla and about 1/2 tsp honey. I LOVE it! Thank you!
Ingredients and Substitutions
Tea – In my experience, a strong, robust black tea or blend of black teas is best for this drink. You can use whichever black tea you prefer. Traditionally, that would be Earl Grey tea, but a caramel or cinnamon tea is also lovely.
Milk – Whole milk is my go-to choice. It adds richness that skim won’t provide.
Sweetener – If you like to use sweeteners in your tea, feel free to use whatever suits your preference. Personally, I go with my homemade vanilla coffee syrup.
Notes on Equipment
- An electric tea kettle. I finally tried this one about 8 years ago, and I doubt I’ll ever go back to a traditional kettle. When you just need boiling water to steep a cup of tea, the convenience can not be beaten. And you don’t need anything fancy, this one is a terrific, inexpensive option.
- A milk frother. This little tool is easily one of the most used gadgets in my kitchen. I can froth milk for tea or coffee in about 10 seconds and let me tell you, frothed milk trumps creamer any day. And yes, I like it so much, I travel with it too.
- A mug
- A small saucepan for heating the milk (or a microwave)
I just tried this recipe. Delicious! I used Teavana’s Earl Grey Creme tea and sugar free vanilla syrup. Tastes just like famous coffee shop tea which is where I discovered it.
How to Make A London Fog
Boiling the Water: To start, I bring the water to a boil in a kettle.
Preparing the Mug: Once that’s done, you’ll want to fill a mug with the boiling water.
Steeping the Tea: Place the teabag in the mug and let steep for 5 minutes before removing the teabag.
Steaming the Milk: While the tea steeps, you can warm the milk either in a saucepan on the stove (or in a microwave-safe dish in the microwave). You don’t want to boil it, just heat it until it is steaming.
Sweetening the Tea: After it’s steeped, sweeten your tea, as desired.
Frothing the Milk: It’s not required, but if you’ve never done it, it’s so worth the step. Use a frother to froth the milk for about 15 seconds. The steamed milk gets very foamy and will double in volume.
Serving: Pour the steamed and frothy milk over the hot tea and stir gently to combine.
Expert Tip
For most recipes, I am in the habit of adjusting to taste at the end. And, that means the sweetener would be the final addition. But, for this one, I strongly recommend adding your sweetener before the milk. Otherwise, the foam collapses when you add it in and stir.
Steep Time – If you look around online, you’ll find a lot of very vocal tea drinkers who will tell you there is only one right way to steep your tea. The problem is that none of them agree. The bottom line is this: the length of time that you steep your tea affects the flavors and strength of the final drink. If you prefer a subtler tea, steep it for less time. Stronger? Steep it for longer.
Warming the Milk – You do not want to boil the milk. So, don’t walk away. Heat it on low (or in the microwave) only until steam starts to rise from the surface of the milk.
A Cup Runneth Over – It may go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway. When you are going to froth with a frother, you need to leave plenty of room for the whirlpool AND the increased volume from the foam that forms. Count on it at least doubling in size. Otherwise, you’ll be cleaning up spilled milk.
Serving Suggestions
A London Fog is cozy enough on its own, but I never say no to a little something sweet on the side. A couple of melt in your mouth butter cookies are my usual pick. If I’m in more of a baking mood, I’ll set out some shortbread thumbprint cookies or, when the weather turns cold, a plate of hot buttered rum cookies are never a bad idea.
Regardless, there are few things that I appreciate more than getting the chance to share a warm beverage and some sweet treats across the table with the people I love.
More Warm Drink Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t worry, you can solve this with a bit of elbow grease. Just pour the hot milk into a mason jar, seal it with a lid, and give it a vigorous shake for about a minute. You’ll get plenty of foam.
Sometimes. Not every non-dairy milk is the same, and many lack the ability to foam. If you are using a non-dairy product, look for a “barista” variety that has been designed for frothing. Oatmilk is my personal go-to for a dairy-free option.
I’m going to answer this one, but I’m not sure if you’re being serious. Once it’s steaming, the surface of the milk should look glossy, and there can be teeny tiny bubbles that linger around the edge of the pan. But, you should not have bubbles forming and popping constantly around the edges, and definitely not across the top.
How To Make A London Fog
Ingredients
- ¾ cup or 6 ounces hot tea
- ¼ cup or 2 ounces hot milk
- Optional: sweetener of your choice or shot of Vanilla Coffee Syrup
Instructions
- Place the teabag in a mug with boiling water and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Remove the teabag, add a shot of vanilla syrup and/or sweeten the tea, as desired.
- While the tea is steeping, heat the milk in a pan or in the microwave until steaming. Use a milk frother for about 15 seconds, until the milk doubles in size and is super foamy. Pour the milk and froth over the hot tea and stir gently.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 1/6/15 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/2/26}
Emm…. as an English avid tea drinker (loving Earl Grey) with milk but no sugar or sweeteners I feel strangely drawn to this frothy concoction – must give it a try especially with the vanilla syrup! Chai has become very fashionable here too.
I love everything about this!
Oh my gosh. I have to try this. And now, I simply must get a milk frother! I don't know how I've managed to go this long without one!
I'm English, I love tea, and I really can't get my head round this one! I don't even like sugar in my ordinary tea, so to have hot milk and vanilla syrup …well let's say I am feeling distinctly nauseous! I don't know how well it would go down in London either – where on earth did this originate? Now see, I can certainly understand doing this with coffee – just PLEEEEEEEEASE leave us our tea alone!!!
This made me grin, Lynne. Luckily, we can all drink our teas and coffees however we like. The London Fog is a popular drink right now and you can find many versions of it online, even a full list on wikipedia!
Hi Lynne! Just so you know, people in India, the Middle East, and Asian countries have been drinking tea for far longer than English people, and adding milk (traditionally water buffalo milk) to Indian Masala Chai has been done for a long time 🙂 In fact, you probably import all of your tea from those areas without knowing it. Let’s not pretend tea is the property of anyone, or that anyone has the right to tell someone how to take their tea. Ok? 🙂
FYI the London Fog was created in Vancouver, British Columbia in the 90s by Mary Loria. 🙂
Hello!!This blog has great information that you share on this website…Thanks for sharing this with us
Try adding Lavender tea to the mix. Divine!!!
Of course with touch of rum
Lol, my dad would like that one.
This looks yummy recipe. I never try this London Fog before. But I will try this for sure. Thanks for the sharing such a yummy recipe with all of us.
I don’t have a milk frother being only 14 years o ld, but I love London fog. I’ve made it before, just couldn’t remember how. So I looked up this recipe. I’m gonna have to make some vanilla syrup and try it with that. For now I just use the extract.
“The first tea I have enjoyed without sweeteners”
You are a philistine. You have no right to write articles for a cooking website.
Vile wretch, begone from my sight.
Oh, my dear John Galt. I laughed so hard. Thanks for that. Isn’t the internet a beautiful thing? The way I can disappear from your sight with the click of a button? A Philistine AND a vile wretch for enjoying sweetened hot tea. I kind of love that.
😂😂😂😂 I also laughed. Your reply- so great! 😁
Sometimes, you just can’t help laughing at the ridiculousness of some comments. Have a fabulous weekend!
Oh John Galt, your life must be full of hatred and jealousy. Do everyone a favour here because it’s for your own good… Do consult a psychiatrist please.
This is a great Christmas Basket idea. A pretty mug, nice tea w/a tea Frother (which I just hit your’s in “red” & it goes right into Amazon…nice), and, of course, Vanilla syrup. Thanks!
We’ve all been to England, and making a London Fog will be a nice memory!
awe, I love this! What a great gift idea, Connie.
Super Awesooome!!!!!
I’m glad you like it, Casey!
Thank you so much and more power to you
I’m glad you’re enjoying the London Fog, Norman!
Just made this using your vanilla syrup recipe. It’s very good, but I should have let the syrup boil down more.
I’m glad you like it, Valerie!
I just tried this recipe. Delicious! I used Teavana’s Earl Grey Creme tea and sugar free vanilla syrup. Tastes just like famous coffee shop tea which is where I discovered it.
I’m so happy to hear that you like the London Fog, Alma!
So good! Used loose leaf earl gray tea in my favorite 14 oz mug and filled about half full with boiling water. After brewing I added 1 tbsp Torani vanilla syrup, heated 1/2 c milk in the microwave, foamed it and poured that on top. I had never used a flavored syrup before, so purchased it just to try this recipe. I’m sold and will be trying it in other beverage combinations as well. Thank you for inspiring me!
I recently discovered this magical drink. I now make them at home as well. My addition is lavender. Takes it to a whole new level.
I’m so glad you like it, Keshia.
My family are huge tea drinkers, we use bags, infusers and loose leaf self foraged. Usually I don’t use milk or sugar but will at times when feeling naughty will delve into some honey. Lol. However, the London fog tea is certainly becoming my go-to favourite. I recently bought a frother and I use sweetened soy milk…Delicious! Thanks for the recipes of some sweeter, creamy teas. IM LOVING CHAI TOO! Thanks again
P.S. I love your sass girl! The rude, overly protective tea connoisseur guy was obnoxious. Like, it’s TEA, bro! Not a political movement that you need to esponge your distaste of sexist, racist flavors of contempt. Geez, Louise. He was Loco…you were great!
hahahaha, thanks for the grin, Carrie. I share your thoughts there. Food and drink are simply meant to be enjoyed however you like them best. I’m glad you’re enjoying the London Fog now!