• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Life is Better with Tea
  • Learn Tea
  • Recipes
  • Buyer Guides
  • eBooks
  • Newsletter
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Learn Tea
  • Recipes
  • Buyer Guides
  • eBooks
  • Newsletter
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Substack
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Learn Tea
    • Recipes
    • Buyer Guides
    • eBooks
    • Newsletter
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Substack
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » How To Make The Best London Fog Drink (Earl Grey Tea Latte)

    How To Make The Best London Fog Drink (Earl Grey Tea Latte)

    Published: Oct 14, 2020 · Modified: Jan 10, 2024 by Mary Ann Rollano · 7 Comments I independently review all recommendations. Some links may earn commissions to support this publication.

    564 shares
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    The secret to making an amazing London Fog Tea Drink is the bergamot. Earl Grey tea is the main ingredient in the London Fog tea latte. Using the best Earl Grey you can find makes the most delicious latte.

    What exactly is a London Fog? The popular London Fog drink has four simple ingredients: Earl Grey tea, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and filtered water. 

    Earl Grey is the most popular flavored tea in the West. I wasn’t always a fan of the international bestseller until I came across an exceptional Earl Grey tea.

    What made this Earl Grey tea so extraordinary?

    Two Secrets to Outstanding Earl Grey Tea

    The distinctive flavor of Earl Grey comes from bergamot oil. Bergamot is a Mediterranean citrus fruit. The bergamot fruit has a generous rind prized for its fragrant essential oil by perfumeries and tea blenders. The black tea used as a base for Earl Grey is a blend and often comes from China, India, or Sri Lanka.

    If the tea is artificially flavored, it will read ‘bergamot flavoring’ or ‘bergamot flavor.’ It’s definitely not the same as essential bergamot oil.

    • Some tea blenders use natural bergamot oil, while others use artificial oil. Unfortunately, most are artificially flavored. When a natural oil is used, it will say ‘oil of bergamot’ or ‘bergamot essential oil.’ Natural bergamot has a subtle but intense flavor. And it’s not easy to find.
    • Since Earl Grey is a blended, flavored black tea, the exact blend of black tea used and the choice and amount of bergamot oil will greatly affect its flavor. Here is where the craft of the tea blender is so essential.

    What is Bergamot Extract?

    Bergamot oranges are a beloved specialty citrus fruit. They’re a small orange originating from Italy’s Calabria region and thought to be a cross between a lime and a sour orange. Italy is still the largest producer of Bergamot Oranges today.

    In Italy, the peels are pressed to yield a high-quality essential oil, which can be used for various purposes, from perfume to aromatherapy. Pure Calabrian Bergamot essential oil can be costly.

    The Bergamot orange is primarily used for its rind, or zest, for its abundance of wonderful aromatic oils. Its essence is used to flavor Earl Grey tea and is also used in baked goods and marmalades.

    That's the beauty of Earl Grey tea - it can be used in many recipes, from cupcakes to cocktails.

    You may not find the bergamot orange so readily in your local supermarket, but you can buy Bergamot Oranges online from Melissa’s World Variety Produce. They are grown in Southern California.

    Origins of Earl Grey and London Fog Tea

    Are you wondering why this tea latte is called a London Fog? Earl Grey is a quintessentially British tea originating in the United Kingdom. It was named after Prime Minister Charles Grey, second Earl Grey, in 1830. However, the London Fog tea latte is said to have originated in Vancouver around 10 years ago.

    Related:

    • Earl Grey Tea Jam
    • Enchanting Earl Grey Tea Cocktail 
    • Everything You Need To Know for The Best Earl Grey Tea
    • 10 Best Online Tea Shops

    An Earl Grey Tea Latte is the same as a London Fog Tea Latte, or simply London Fog. The names are used interchangeably.

    What's in a London Fog Drink?

    A London Fog drink is made with:

    • Earl Grey tea
    • Frothed or steamed milk
    • Sugar
    • Vanilla extract

    Sometimes, you will see lavender added for a little extra flavor. At Starbucks, the London Fog tea drink is made with sweetened vanilla syrup.

    Earl Grey and Lavender
    Earl Grey and Lavender

    How to Make a London Fog Latte 

    Pro Tips:

    1. Always use the best Earl Grey tea you can find. See my list of the best Earl Grey brands at the end of this post.
    2. You can replace warmed cow's milk with any nut milk. Nut milk adds a rich sweetness to the latte.
    3. You can also replace sugar with a teaspoon of Earl Grey Tea Jam or a good quality orange marmalade.
    4. Only use real vanilla extract for the most authentic and rich flavor. None of the artificial stuff here.
    5. Use a handheld Aerolatte to froth milk. It works beautifully in a tea latte.
    6. Alternatively, you can use an electric milk frother. If you've never used one for your lattes, it's a game-changer! The Huogary Electric Milk Frother & Steamer froths, warms, and steams the milk and is worth every penny, especially if you're a frequent latte drinker.
    frothing milk for Earl Grey Tea Latte with a hand held frother
    Aerolatte

    London Fog Tea Recipe

    Recipe

    london fog drink in glass teacup

    London Fog Recipe

    Mary Ann Rollano
    The secret to making an amazing London Fog tea latte is in the bergamot. Earl Grey tea is the main ingredient in the London Fog tea latte and using the best Earl Grey tea you can find makes a magnificent latte.
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 88 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 ounces filtered water
    • 4 ounces milk can use almond milk
    • 2 teaspoon earl grey tea
    • 1 teaspoon sugar can use orange marmalade
    • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Bring water to a boil.
    • Add tea leaves and steep for 5 minutes.
    • Remove tea leaves and stir in sweetener and vanilla extract.
    • While tea is steeping add milk to a separate saucepan and warm over medium-low heat.
    • Remove from heat and froth warmed milk with a handheld frother.
      frothing milk for Earl Grey Tea Latte with a hand held frother
    • Pour hot tea into an 8-ounce glass or mug and add milk. Stir to incorporate.
    • Spoon out remaining frothed milk to top off the latte.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8ouncesCalories: 88kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 3gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 54mgPotassium: 149mgSugar: 10gVitamin A: 185IUCalcium: 128mg
    Keyword London Fog Tea
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Where to Buy The Best Earl Grey Tea

    Since discovering premium Earl Grey tea with real bergamot oil, I’ve found a few other brands that make an excellent Earl Grey tea blend. You may want to try some of them for your next tea latte. 

    Smith Teamaker: #1 Choice

    Curated tea blends and loose-leaf varietals crafted in small batches in Portland, Oregon. The Smith Teamaker Earl Grey's black tea base is a blend of Assam tea from India and Sri Lanka tea from the Dimbula and Uva regions. You won’t find Smith Teamaker Earl Grey in most stores. But you can buy Smith Teamaker Lord Bergamot on Amazon.

    Adagio:

    I’ve only tried their London Earl Grey, but they have various teas flavored with bergamot.  The London Earl Grey is a premium black tea from China flavored with bergamot oil, a citrus fruit. It comes as a full-leaf tea in individually wrapped bags.

    Kusmi Tea:

    The White Anastasia Tea is a blend of white tea, orange blossom, bergamot, and lemon, producing a lovely, delicate tea. It reminds me of an oolong. The Anastasia blend has scents of bergamot, lemon, lime, and orange blossom. Kusmi uses the essential oil of bergamot to scent their tea.

    Rishi Tea:

    Rishi Tea always has excellent quality teas and herbs. The Earl Grey Supreme is a combination blend of robust and fruity Thai black tea with mellow, caramel-sweet Yunnan Dian Hong. It's an original Rishi blend earl grey that uses the first-pressing of Italian bergamot essential oil.

    Vahdam Teas:

    The Earl Grey Citrus Black Tea is a blend of black teas from India with the natural oil of bergamot fruit from Italy. The dry leaf is delightfully fragrant. The tea is characteristic of a bright liquoring cup of tea. The fruity and fragrant citrus flavor of this tea also makes a great iced tea.

    Now you can make your very own London Fog tea latte Starbucks style at home without spending five dollars. You can use that savings to buy better tea ♡!


    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?

    Tag @betterwithtea on Instagram and hashtag it #betterwithtea


    NEW TO TEA? START HERE >>

    More Recipes

    • yogi spiced tea
      How to Make The Best Authentic Yogi Spiced Tea Recipe From Scratch
    • lemon verbena brewed in a cup teapot and dried leaves
      Exploring the Richness and Benefits of Herbal Greek Lemon Verbena Tea
    • Sage tea brewed in blue and white cup with dry sage next to it
      Sage Herbal Tea Recipe Benefits and Uses
    • greek mountain tea
      Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis): The Health Benefits of an Ancient Herbal Elixir

    About Mary Ann Rollano

    Mary Ann is a nurse turned award-winning tea specialist creating recipes and writing stories where tea, wellness, and nature meet. Newsletter

    Recent Articles

    • yogi spiced teaHow to Make The Best Authentic Yogi Spiced Tea Recipe From Scratch
      Authentic yogi tea recipe is a spiced tea made […]
    • tulipsBegin Here: This Will Change Everything!
      Why I’m Moving This Blog to Steeped Stories and […]
    • chamomile flowers brewed tea in teapot and tea cupHow Chamomile Tea Promotes Sleep, Aids Digestion, and Relieves Anxiety
      Whether you're seeking relaxation, stress relief, […]
    • the tea spot english breakfast tea loose leaf tea close up5 Best Tea Shops for Loose Leaf Tea
      Are you struggling to find a good place to buy […]

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 6 votes

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Ari

      November 09, 2020 at 6:19 am

      5 stars
      I can’t believe I’ve never had a london fog before. This was amazing! Bonus for using orange marmalade as the sweetener, I’m loving this drink. This is being added to my regular latte rotation!

      Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        November 11, 2020 at 1:15 pm

        Thanks Ari!

        Reply
    2. Ecotea

      March 23, 2020 at 5:23 am

      5 stars
      Nice

      Reply
      • Mary Ann Rollano

        March 23, 2020 at 2:11 pm

        Thank you!

        Reply
    3. Donna

      September 26, 2019 at 11:27 am

      5 stars
      I love earl grey tea. I found this recipe while I was looking for a new earl grey tea. Looks so good I want to try it!

      Reply
    4. Emma

      January 07, 2019 at 8:18 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this with the Lord Bergamot you recommended and It’s delicious! Thanks for the great tips,

      Reply
    5. Denise

      September 27, 2018 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      This looks so good. I don’t have an electric frother. But I guess I could still make this without one. Thanks!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Mary Ann Rollano

    I share my culinary and medicinal tea expertise as an award-winning tea specialist and registered nurse.

    I’ll show you how to choose high-quality, organic, loose-leaf teas, brew the perfect cup, and create easy, delicious, and nourishing tea recipes. My goal is to make specialty tea simple and healthy for you!

    More about Mary Ann →

    Experience a lifestyle of wellness through the beauty of tea. Steeped Stories is my Health & Wellness Newsletter —subscribe today! ↓

    Popular

    • tea sampler of dry loose leaf tea
      10 Best Tea Shops for Loose Leaf Tea Online in 2025

    • world of tea
      World of Tea Book: A Beautiful Volume On Tea Throughout The World

    • English Breakfast Tea
      7 Best English Breakfast Teas You Should Try Today

    • stacked best tea books
      10 Best Tea Books To Make You An Expert

    Trending

    • tulips
      Begin Here: This Will Change Everything!

    • chamomile flowers brewed tea in teapot and tea cup
      How Chamomile Tea Promotes Sleep, Aids Digestion, and Relieves Anxiety

    • the tea spot english breakfast tea loose leaf tea close up
      5 Best Tea Shops for Loose Leaf Tea

    • greek honey in jar with honeycomb
      Sweeten Tea With Honey From Greece For The Most Benefits

    Guides

    • glass teapot with teacup
      Tea Guide

    • hot tea recipes ebook cover
      eBooks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top


    Tea Guide

    Get Easy Tea Recipes, Brewing Tricks, and Special Guides to Living Well

    Subscribe Here

    Tea Education

    Tea Business

    Beginners Guide

    Recommendations

    Quick Links

    About

    Press

    Contact

    Partnerships

    Disclaimer, Privacy & Affiliate

    As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 Life Is Better With Tea

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.