How to Make the Perfect London Fog Drink

It is undeniable that almost nothing beats a high-quality coffee in the morning. Although, it is not impossible to want something different once in a while. This is why you have people who prefer a cappuccino, a mocha, or in some cases, a delicious latte. All that being said, did you ever hear about the famous London Fog tea latte? This is one very special foamy and milky drink you don’t want to miss, especially if you are tired of drinking always the same coffee every day.

What’s a London Fog?

To better understand what a London Fog is, we will go over the basics. It’s actually important because if we just say that the London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte, then it doesn’t really explain what it is, does it? So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the London Fog latte:

  1. The London Fog is a latte. A latte has more milk than a cappuccino and is a bit similar to a mocha. The primary difference between a mocha and a latte is that you get a dark chocolate flavor in a mocha while the latte is just a milky espresso intended to be a softer coffee drink than a plain espresso.
  2. The main ingredient of a London Fog is the Earl Grey tea, which is a tea blend commonly flavored with oil of bergamot. This type of tea is very popular as it is claimed to have many health benefits such as preventing cancer and curing your common cold. The taste of this tea is not too intense as it also offers a nice caffeine kick with a citrusy flavor.
  3. The second most important part of this Starbucks favorite is the foamy hot milk that will mix so well with the Earl Grey tea. This ingredient is often called steamed milk and is most of the time made with the help of a frother (milk foamer)
  4. And finally, you absolutely need a touch of vanilla syrup to get a perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess.

Why is it called a London Fog?

This drink is not that old actually, as it was created by Mary Loria in the 1990s. At the time, she was frequenting Vancouver’s Buckwheat Café and since she was pregnant, she wanted something softer than usual. Unfortunately, she wasn’t satisfied with anything that was on the menu, so she asked for a special custom drink that would become the perfect mix between tea, coffee, and milk.

She loved the drink so much that she started ordering the same thing in other cafés, and recommending the latter to her friends. That said, the drink didn’t have a name yet, and it is not 100% clear how the name London Fog came to be.

Obviously, the fog refers to the foamy milky texture of the drink, but for the London part, some say that it would have made it to London at some point in time, nobody knows for sure. In the end, it doesn’t really matter, because all you need to know is that the London Fog is one of the most popular tea drinks in the world.

Does a London Fog contain a lot of caffeine?

A London Fog contains some caffeine since its base, the Earl Grey tea has caffeine in it. However, this latte and pretty much all the other kinds of lattes are not very strong. These drinks will give you a nice little boost of energy, but a lot softer compared to an espresso shot for example.

Is it healthy to drink a London Fog every day?

Unfortunately no, the London Fog is not a healthy drink. It is okay to drink a London Fog once in a while, but in the long run, the calories, the fat, the sodium, and the sugar won’t be good for anyone’s health if taken on a daily basis. Therefore, you should see the London Fog more as a treat than anything else.

How to make a London Fog at home?

Here’s the best recipe for making a London Fog at home:

  • Infuse your tea bag for 2-3 minutes.
  • Remove the leaves in your cup of tea.
  • Now it’s time to steam or froth your milk. Here you can use almond milk, which gives a more earthy flavor. Top your cup of tea with it.
  • Finally, pour in the desired amount of vanilla syrup (usually between 1 and 3 teaspoons).

You can also mix the vanilla extract directly in the milk before steaming it. The result is sensibly the same but if you want the vanilla taste to be more even, then this is the way!

What are the ingredients of the Starbucks London Fog?

If you didn’t know, the London Fog is by far one of the most popular menu items on Starbucks’ menu. If you were wondering what kind of ingredients they use to make their earl grey latte drink taste so good, here’s the list below:

  • 1 ½ cups water.
  • 1 teabag Earl Grey black tea.
  • ¾ cup milk (2% milk, or any other milk, including oat or nut milk)
  • 2 teaspoons light brown sugar or it’s possible to use a sweetener of your choice.
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
  • Optional, you can add dried lavender flowers as a garnish.

What’s the best grey earl black tea?

Since your main ingredient is none other than the great Earl Grey tea, then which brand should you choose for making your next latte London Fog? Just for you, we look through the web infinite for the best-reviewed Earl Grey teas and blends, and here they are:

  • Art of Tea: Earl Grey Tea
  • Camellia Sinensis: Earl Grey
  • Pique Tea: Organic Earl Grey
  • Twining’s: Earl Grey
  • Sloane: Earl Grey Classic
  • In Pursuit of Tea: Darjeeling Earl Grey
  • Numi Organic Tea: Aged Earl Grey
  • Davidson’s Organics: Earl Grey (Loose Leaf)

And that concludes our guide on this comfy and beautiful drink that is the London Fog. Whether you decide to try it out at your nearest Starbucks or that you find the courage of making one at home, it’s absolutely worth every penny! Enjoy.

Lynda I.

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