My easy copycat Starbucks London Fog recipe is pure coziness in a cup. Creamy steamed milk, bergamot-infused black tea, and toasted vanilla syrup are a match made in hygge heaven. All that’s missing is a good book, a warm blanket and a rainy day!
Despite being a coffee-crazed mama who runs on caffeine the way trucks run on diesel, sometimes I need a milder pick-me-up—that’s when I turn to tea drinks! This 3-ingredient London fog tea latte is just what I want on a lazy Sunday morning, when I can plant myself on a couch and just be. It’s warm, sweet, and lightly citrusy, both snuggly and sophisticated.
Better yet, this earl grey latte is a snap to make—you’ll be done in just 5 minutes. Simply steep your tea, warm and froth your milk, and voila! You’ll be sipping on something so spectacular, it’s fit for a Queen. And if that weren’t enough to love, this Starbucks copycat recipe is as gentle on your pocketbook as it is your energy level.
Despite being made with just 3 ingredients—milk, tea, and infused simple syrup—a London fog from Starbucks will set you back more than $5. 😣 Considering tea bags run about a quarter apiece, milk costs less than $5 a gallon, and coffee syrup is basically just sugar-water, that seems like a rip-off! Luckily, you can make your very own for just pennies on the dollar.
Jump to:
- What does it taste like?
- Why You’ll Love This Tea Latte Recipe
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How To Make A London Fog
- Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Homemade London Fog Tea Latte Nutrition
- Other Starbucks Spring Menu Items
- London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
What does it taste like?
A homemade London fog tastes like the drink equivalent of a rainy-day sweater. Earl Grey brings its signature bergamot aroma—bright, citrusy, a little floral—with just enough black tea backbone to keep it from tasting like potpourri. The 2% milk makes it creamy without feeling heavy, giving the drink a silky texture and sneaky protein boost. Finally, the toasted vanilla syrup ties everything together with warm, caramelized sweetness, creating a mellow, cozy drink that feels like a giant exhale.
Why You’ll Love This Tea Latte Recipe
- Cozy & Comforting - If you’ve never tried an earl grey tea latte, there’s no better time than the present. Each sip feels like an internal hug, adding warmth and joy to your day.
- Quick & Easy - Seriously, friends—this is a no-fuss favorite. You’ll be done prepping by the time your tea has steeped!
- Less Caffeinated - With about half as much caffeine as a typical vanilla latte, London fogs are perfect for 3pm power boosts. You’ll get just enough juice to ride out the rest of your day without keeping you buzzed past bedtime.
Ingredients Needed
- Toasted Vanilla Syrup - My simple recipe is made with just sugar, water, and a vanilla bean, making it more natural and cheaper than store-bought alternatives.
- Earl Grey Teabags - Apparently Queen Elizabeth II was partial to Twinnings, but feel free to use any brand you prefer.
- Water - If possible, start with filtered water for the purest taste.
- 2% Milk - My family’s go-to is Fairlife or Dairygold Fit 2% milk, both of which taste creamier than conventional milk. As a bonus, they’re also higher in protein and easier to digest!
Substitutions
- Earl Grey Teabags - Only have loose-leaf tea? Use the instructions on the package to determine how much you should use to replicate 2 tea bags. You can also switch things up by using lighter, citrus-ier Lady Grey tea instead.
- 2% Milk - Feel free to use any percentage of dairy milk or any variety of plant-based milk you prefer.
- Toasted Vanilla Syrup - Plain vanilla simple syrup or honey syrup will also do the trick!
How To Make A London Fog
Step 1: Steep Tea. Bring water to a boil and steep your Earl Grey for about 4 minutes, allowing the bergamot and black tea flavor to fully bloom without turning bitter.
Step 2: Warm & Froth Milk. Heat the 2% milk with the toasted vanilla syrup until just steaming, then use a milk frother to create a creamy, velvety foam.
Step 3: Combine & Enjoy. Pour the hot, frothed milk over the steeped tea, give it a gentle stir, and enjoy. Sip, sip, hooray!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
- Dairy-Free/Vegan - Simply swap in the vegan milk of your choice. I recommend using “barista blends,” which are specifically formulated to be extra creamy and frothable. If you’re making the syrup yourself, use organic or pure cane sugar to ensure it’s vegan-friendly.
- Sugar-Free - Either make or buy sugar-free toasted vanilla syrup. (I have directions in my recipe post!)
- Trade Teas - While earl grey is what makes a London fog a London fog, pretty much any tea can be turned into a cozy latte. Have fun experimenting with black, green, or herbal teas!
- Iced London Fog Latte - After steeping your tea, remove the teabags and allow it to cool. Froth the milk and syrup while they’re still cold from the fridge. Pour the cooled tea over ice, then top with the milk and drink up!
- Lavender London Fog - Use a 50/50 mix of lavender syrup and toasted vanilla syrup for an extra hit of floral sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
This copycat Starbucks London fog makes a perfect morning latte—warm, creamy, and gentle enough to ease you into the day. Pair it with a simple breakfast like a slice of my healthier cranberry orange bread, a blueberry protein muffin, or a slice of whole grain toast slathered in my easy berry chia seed jam.
It also shines as an afternoon pick-me-up. The light caffeine gives you just enough lift without the jitters, making it ideal for a mid-day pause. If you prefer something cooler, turn it into an iced earl grey latte by steeping the tea strong, chilling it, and pouring it over ice with cold frothed milk.
Feel free to dress it up if you’d like a “pinkies up” moment. A pinch of dried lavender buds, a few rasps of citrus zest, or a sprinkle of vanilla sugar makes it feel extra fancy. And don’t forget to bust out the pretty china tea set! You’re worth it. 😉
Recipe Success Tips
- Steep the tea for the full 4 minutes (but not longer). This window gives you bold bergamot flavor without slipping into bitter territory. If you like it stronger, use an extra tea bag instead of over-steeping.
- Warm the milk gently. Overheating can scorch the milk and mute the vanilla flavor. Aim for warm and steamy, not bubbling.
- Froth after adding the syrup. Frothing the milk and toasted vanilla syrup together gives you a creamier texture and better flavor distribution.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness. Toasted vanilla syrup is richer and deeper than classic vanilla, so start with less and add more to taste.
- Don’t skip the froth. A good layer of foam is what makes a London Fog feel like a proper café latte.
- Serve immediately. The flavors are at their best when the milk is hot and the foam is fresh and silky.
FAQs
A London Fog is made with strongly brewed Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a touch of vanilla syrup for sweetness and aroma.
Yep! A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte, typically made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.
A London fog is a specific kind of tea latte—one made with earl grey tea and vanilla syrup. A tea latte, on the other hand, is the broader category. It can be made with any tea (like chai, matcha, English breakfast, or herbal blends) and any flavoring. So all London fogs are tea lattes, but not all tea lattes are London fogs.
A Starbucks London fog is made with earl grey tea, steamed milk, and a few pumps of vanilla syrup to give it a creamy, sweet, and lightly floral flavor.
Homemade London Fog Tea Latte Nutrition
Each homemade London Fog comes in at 187 calories, making it a cozy little indulgence. You’ll get 6 grams of total fat and 6 grams of protein, thanks to the 2% milk. These both help with satiety. As a bonus, you also get some calcium in the mix!
The drink is sweet with 29 grams of carbohydrates (28 grams are sugar), most of which come from the toasted vanilla syrup. If you want to lighten things up, just use less syrup or swap in a sugar-free option. Sodium stays on the lower side at 97 mg, so you don’t have to be concerned there.
All in all, this earl grey tea latte is a relatively sensible Starbucks-style drink that should fit into most any healthy diet. Just be sure to round out the rest of your day with plenty of fiber and protein, and keep your added sugar intake to a minimum. Enjoy every blissful sip!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 187 calories
- Total Fat: 6 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Sodium: 97 mg
- Carbohydrates: 29 grams
- Sugar: 28 grams
*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.
Other Starbucks Spring Menu Items
London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Earl grey tea bags
- ¾ cup water
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I used whole milk)
- 2 tablespoon toasted vanilla syrup
Instructions
- Heat the water to a boil, then steep your Earl grey tea for for 4 minutes. Once done steeping, remove the bags of tea and set aside.
- Meanwhile, pour the milk and toasted vanilla syrup into a small saucepan and stir. Heat until steaming, then remove from heat and froth with a milk frother.
- Pour the frothed milk into your tea (froth and all) and drink up!
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
Leave a Reply