✔ Updated · real measurements, frothing without a machine, iced version
My copycat Starbucks London Fog is strong Earl Grey, a splash of vanilla syrup and a cloud of frothy steamed milk, ready in 10 minutes. It's my rainy-afternoon drink, and you don't need an espresso machine to make it.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Use two tea bags and steep for 4 to 5 minutes. The milk dilutes everything, so the tea has to start out strong.
Why You'll Love This London Fog
- Four simple ingredients: Earl Grey, water, vanilla syrup and milk.
- No espresso machine needed; a handheld frother or a jar with a lid does the job.
- Easy to tweak: make it iced, dairy-free, decaf or less sweet.
What Is a London Fog?
A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte: strong black tea flavored with bergamot, sweetened with vanilla and topped with steamed milk and foam. The name is often credited to a café in Vancouver, Canada, rather than London, and the cloudy, misty look of the milk does the rest.
The drink is roughly half tea and half milk. It's my rainy-afternoon order at the Starbucks near us, and after 3 p.m. I make it at home with decaf Earl Grey so I still sleep.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Brew it strong. Two tea bags for one cup of water feels like a lot, but half the drink is milk. One bag gives you a weak, milky tea, and I learned that the sad way.
- Don't over-steep. Five minutes is the limit. Past that, Earl Grey turns bitter and the bergamot tastes soapy.
- Mind the milk temperature. Steaming hot, around 150°F, is the sweet spot. Boiling milk tastes cooked and won't hold its foam.
- 2% milk froths best and matches the classic tea latte. For dairy-free, oat milk is my pick because it foams almost as well as dairy.
- Make your own vanilla syrup. Our copycat Starbucks vanilla syrup takes 10 minutes and keeps in the fridge for weeks. I use 2 tablespoons, but start with 1 if you like it less sweet.
Starbucks London Fog Tea Latte (Copycat)
1
16-ounce drink5
minutes5
minutes200
kcal10
minutesA copycat-style Starbucks London Fog: two Earl Grey tea bags steeped strong, sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with an equal amount of frothy steamed milk, for a cozy 16-ounce tea latte at home.
Ingredients
2 Earl Grey tea bags (or 2 teaspoons loose-leaf Earl Grey)
1 cup (8 oz) water, just off the boil
2 tablespoons (1 oz) vanilla syrup, store-bought or homemade
1 cup (8 oz) 2% milk
pinch of dried culinary lavender (optional)
Directions
- Brew the Tea
- Heat the water until it just boils, then let it sit for 30 seconds (about 200°F). Pour it over the tea bags, and the lavender if using, in a large mug.
- Steep for 4 to 5 minutes, no longer, so the tea is strong but not bitter. Remove the tea bags, pressing them gently, and stir in the vanilla syrup.
- Steam and Froth the Milk
- While the tea steeps, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat or in the microwave for about 1 minute, until steaming with small bubbles at the edges, about 150°F. Don’t let it boil.
- Froth the hot milk with a handheld frother for 20 to 30 seconds, or shake it in a lidded jar half full, until it doubles in volume with a silky foam.
- Finish
- Pour the milk into the tea, holding back the foam with a spoon.
- Spoon the foam on top and serve right away.
Notes
- You can choose to make your own vanilla syrup at home or purchase one from the store.
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Iced and Cold Brew London Fog
For a quick iced London Fog, brew the tea double strength in 1/2 cup hot water, stir in the syrup and let it cool for 10 minutes. Fill a tall glass with ice, pour in the tea and top with 3/4 cup cold milk.
For cold brew, put 4 Earl Grey tea bags in a jar with 2 cups cold water and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours, then remove the bags. It's smoother and never bitter. Mix equal parts cold brew tea and milk over ice with vanilla syrup to taste, and keep the tea in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Easy Variations
- Lavender London Fog: steep a pinch of dried culinary lavender with the tea, or use lavender syrup in place of half the vanilla.
- Dairy-free: oat milk froths best; almond and soy work too.
- Sugar-free: use a sugar-free vanilla syrup, or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract plus your favorite sweetener.
- Decaf: swap in decaf Earl Grey for an evening drink.
- Spiced: love warm spice? Try our Starbucks chai tea latte copycat.
Storing Leftovers
A hot London Fog is best made fresh, since the foam collapses as it sits. Cold brew tea keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, and iced London Fog with milk should be drunk the same day. For more drinks to make at home, browse our Starbucks copycat recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a London Fog at Starbucks?
Starbucks sells it as the London Fog Tea Latte, made with Earl Grey, vanilla syrup and steamed milk, and it can be ordered hot or iced. Menus vary by store, so if you don't see it, ask the barista. Otherwise, this copycat takes 10 minutes at home.
What is in a London Fog?
A London Fog is Earl Grey tea sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with steamed, frothed milk. Earl Grey is black tea flavored with bergamot, a citrus fruit, which gives the drink its floral, slightly orangey flavor. Some versions add a pinch of lavender.
How many pumps of vanilla are in a London Fog?
A grande is commonly made with about 4 pumps of vanilla syrup, and one pump is roughly 1/4 ounce. That's about 2 tablespoons for a 16-ounce drink, which is what this recipe uses. Cut it to 1 tablespoon for a less sweet latte.
How do you make an iced London Fog?
Steep 2 tea bags in 1/2 cup hot water for 5 minutes, stir in the vanilla syrup and let it cool. Pour it over a glass full of ice and top with 3/4 cup cold milk. For cold foam, froth 3 tablespoons milk with a little syrup and spoon it on top.
Does a London Fog have caffeine?
Yes, because Earl Grey is a black tea. Two tea bags give you roughly the caffeine of a small cup of coffee or a little less. For an evening London Fog, use decaf Earl Grey and follow the same recipe.
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