Simple ingredients and easy to make, this Vanilla Earl Grey Tea with Milk (Earl Grey Tea Latte \ London Fog Tea) is like a hug in a mug. Cozy, earthy flavors with a hint of vanilla and touch of honey or maple syrup is a delight to warm up to during the coldest of days. This recipe is vegetarian or vegan.
Simple. Delicious. Earl Grey Tea.
Earl Grey tea is worth savoring. It’s a combination of black tea and bergamot orange. Depending on the brand of tea, it may include other ingredients like lavender. Earl Grey tea was my pathway to discovering bergamot which gives this classic tea its distinguishing citrusy flavor.
Add a little vanilla and milk to the mix to take this flavorful sipper to a whole other level. No wonder this classic has become so popular!
Similar Drink, Different Names
I discovered this sipper at a local coffee stand and was instantly smitten. They call it a London Fog Latte – I had to ask what that was before ordering (gah!). The barista shared with me how easy it is to make.
When researching how to properly name this classic milk tea sipper for the blog, I found it’s referred to by several different names (let me know in the comments if you know of others!):
- Earl Grey Latte
- Earl Grey Tea with Milk
- London Fog Latte
- London Fog Tea
- London Fog Drink
There are a few variations, from added lavender, to sweetener of choice like honey, maple syrup or vanilla syrup. But, they have three things in common: black tea, milk and vanilla. The difference comes down to how the milk is prepared, and if vanilla (always in a London Fog) and/or sweetener is involved.
Whether enjoyed simply with frothed, warmed or cold milk, Earl Grey with milk is soothing when a little comfort is needed. I would go as far to say it’s luxurious. Talk about self care!
About the Key Ingredients
- Earl Grey Tea: You’ll need two tea bags of Earl Grey or 2 1/2 teaspoons of loose tea. I like Numi brand Earl Grey tea. It’s organic (flavorings free) and only contains two ingredients. They offer loose leaf tea leaves and tea bags.
- Vanilla: When ordering a London Fog Latte at the local coffee shops, vanilla syrup is typically used to sweeten and flavor the tea. However, when making Earl Gray tea with milk at home, use just a drizzle of pure vanilla extract and sweeten to taste.
- Milk of Choice: The sky is the limit here. Use your favorite plant milk like oat milk, cashew milk or almond milk. I use homemade unsweetened cashew milk because it’s thick and rich, and I always have it on hand. If using plant milk, you’ll notice a bit of separation of milk and tea after setting for a few minutes, but it’s easily swirled back together again. You can also use dairy milk of choice.
- Sweetener: Enjoy honey, maple syrup or sugar of choice. I’ve read brown sugar is quite lovely in an Earl Grey latte. My favorite is maple syrup.
At a Glance: How to Make Earl Grey Tea With Milk
With just a few ingredients, you can whip up the most delicious homemade Earl Grey tea with milk!
- First, add the loose tea or tea bags to just boiling water.
- Second, steep. Remove the tea bags.
- Next, add sweetener of choice to the milk and froth the milk or simply warm the milk without frothing.
- Last, add a touch of vanilla extract to the tea, then pour in the milk and foam.
This Earl Grey tea recipe is best enjoyed warm.
London Fog Tea Good to Know
How Does it Taste? London Fog Tea tastes of rich black tea with notes of vanilla and citrus (that’s the bergamot). Depending on the sweetener used, it also offers hints of floral notes. Earl Grey’s assertive flavor is mellowed by the addition of milk for a creamy, rich comforting finish
Serving with Milk: Earl Grey tea doesn’t need milk to be enjoyed. Sipping Earl Grey tea straight offers a stronger more assertive black tea experience. Adding a bit of milk creates a creamy, more mellow tea.
When to Enjoy Earl Grey Tea: Because Earl Grey tea is high in caffeine, it’s best enjoyed before early afternoon as this offers a bit of reassurance that going to sleep won’t be a problem later.
There’s several ways to approach frothing. You can use a frothing wand on the steamer valve of an espresso machine, blender, jar shaker method (warm milk in a jar, lid, and shake till frothy) or electric mini whisk. .
Traci’s Tips
- Regarding Tea: Look for high quality tea in the bulk bins for best value and to reduce waste. Or, look for high quality tea bags or loose leaf tea in packets. I recommend Numi Tea Aged Earl Grey.
- Milk: This recipe calls for half a cup of milk. Reduce to taste if a stronger tea is desired. Plant or dairy milk works well in this recipe. My favorite is homemade unsweetened cashew milk.
- Vanilla Extract: Look for high quality vanilla extract, not imitation.
Vanilla Earl Grey Tea with Milk Recipe (London Fog Tea)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (227 grams) Water
- 2 Earl Grey Tea Bags, or 2 1/2 teaspoons loose leaf tea
- 2 teaspoons Pure Maple Syrup, honey or sweetener of choice, to taste
- 4 ounces (113 grams) Milk, or less for a stronger tea. use plant or dairy milk, I use homemade cashew milk.
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Bring the water to just under boiling: 208 Fahrenheit (98 Celsius). Steep the tea in a 12 ounce (340 grams) tea cup or coffee mug until it's dark and fragrant, four to five minutes. Strain the tea or remove the tea bags.
- Meanwhile, prepare the milk: a. For a vanilla Earl Grey with milk, simply warm the milk just until steaming. b. For an Earl Grey Latte / London Fog Tea, add sweetener of choice to the milk, then use a milk steam wand on an espresso machine to froth the milk. Or, warm the milk in a small pan just until steaming. Froth the milk using a preferred method (electric milk frother, blender, whisk or other method).
- Pour the vanilla extract into the tea, then pour in the warmed/frothed/steamed milk into the mug. Top with frothed milk and foam.
- Enjoy right away, warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate. If this information is important to you, please have it verified independently.
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Looks delicious! I am a Lady Gray fan and I am going to try this recipe with Lady Gray and see if it’s just as good! Thank you for such an amazing recipe!
Hi Karenann! I’ve not tried Lady Gray… is there a brand you like? Let us know how it goes as a London Fog! It sounds delicious.
This recipe is amazing! I was interested in trying Earl Grey tea, after watching the Star Track/ Picard show. This is the first recipe I tried and have made it ever since. I love it so much it is replacing my morning cafe con leche (coffee with milk). Thank you so much for sharing!
Earl Grey is my favorite flavor of tea Traci. Thanks for the recipe and all the faqs and variations! Perfectly cozy for winter! i just love it.
Hi Zucchero! SO happy to hear you’re enjoying the tea (and variations!). It’s such a cozy sipper this time of year :D
I’ve attempted this drink a few times based on its taste from a local cafe. Finally, I have the right proportions and know the “London Fog” name! I used maple syrup which was great but also have tried agave versus honey which also fits the recipe pretty good and another vegan option. THANKS!
Hi Carolyn! Thank you for your note and giving the tea a go… I love the versatility of this drink too.. Isn’t it interesting the different flavor profiles you get with different sweeteners?
Turning a cup of Earl Grey into a London Fog tea makes it even better than usual. Thanks for the recipe.
Earl Grey is my favorite flavor of tea Traci.Thanks for the recipe and all the faqs and variations! Perfectly cozy for winter!