This Homemade London Fog or Earl Grey Vanilla Tea Latte is a simply delicious and popular coffee shop drink that’s so easy to make at home! And it calls for real, healthy ingredients – it’s low in fat, can be made dairy-free, and it’s free of refined sugars!
**I originally posted this recipe in November 2015. I’m re-sharing it today with updated photos and a new tutorial video, but this amazing recipe hasn’t changed a bit. Why mess with perfection!?** I hardly ever drink coffee. I know, that’s probably hard to believe since I’m a work-at-home mom of two kids AND a missionary wife (not a lot of sleep happening over here!!), but I just never got into it and now I can barely choke down a latte without feeling like I’ve eaten rocks for a few days afterward. Tea on the other hand…well, that’s a totally different story. Some of my earliest memories are of tea parties with my grandma and I just grew up loving tea with a passion. There’s almost nothing better than a warm cup of tea with milk on a cool day and if I’m at home, you’ll almost always find a mug of tea within my reach.
Better than Starbucks London Fog
A few years ago I was introduced to the idea of a tea latte – strong tea brewed with milk and other added flavours. After my first Earl Grey Tea Latte (London Fog) I was hooked!! But since I don’t enjoy spending $5 or more on one cup (and really, who does??) and I’m not a big fan of all the sugar and chemical sweeteners and flavours in those coffee shop drinks, I was determined to come up with a homemade version that would satisfy. This recipe has only 4 ingredients, it’s so delicious, and if you like tea lattes as much as I do, you’re going to LOVE it!
This recipe is so easy! Simply steep the tea, add some honey, and then add the milk to the pot along with the vanilla. Simmer on low for a few minutes, and serve in your favourite mugs!
Can I make a London Fog ahead of time?
It’s a good idea to serve this Earl Grey Vanilla Tea Latte right away while they’re hot off the stove, but you can also portion them out into mason jars and keep them in the fridge for a few days like I do. Just shake well, re-heat and enjoy whenever you need a little pick-me-up or for a busy morning!
LOOKING FOR MORE EASY STRESS-FREE HOLIDAY MEAL IDEAS AND RECIPES?
I love creating recipes like this because there’s almost always a way to make a favourite treat healthier at home with natural ingredients. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use whatever milk you like – full fat, skim, or even your favourite dairy-free milk replacement. It’s really up to you!
I hope you enjoy this London Fog recipe! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite coffee shop treat to make at home? I’d love to know!!
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Set a medium pot over high heat and add the water. When the water begins to boil, turn the heat to low and add the tea bags. Let the tea steep until it's as dark and strong as possible (about 5-7 minutes).
While you're waiting for the tea to steep slice open the vanilla bean pod and scrape the seeds out using the back of a paring knife. Set the pod and the seeds aside.
Remove the tea bags from the pot and stir in the honey until it dissolves.
Add the milk, the vanilla bean seeds and the whole vanilla bean pod to the pot and stir gently with a spoon until the mixture reaches a simmer. Keep the heat low to prevent the mixture from boiling and to maintain a low simmer. Let the mixture simmer for about 4-5 minutes over low heat, stirring every minute or two.
Strain the mixture as you pour it into 4 mugs. Some of the vanilla bean seeds will sneak through the strainer but the strainer will catch the big chunks. This will create a beautifully speckled appearance to the latte mixture and the addition of real vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract creates an intense vanilla flavour that's the perfect compliment to the flavour of the Earl Grey. If you can't find vanilla bean pods, feel free to add 2-3 tsp of real vanilla extract instead. The flavour won't be quite as intense, but it will still be delicious!!
Add some vanilla sugar to the top (if desired) for garnish. Enjoy!
Thanks Christine! The best place to get vanilla beans in Canada is Bulk Barn. They usually have them at the cash register 🙂 You can always use real vanilla extract instead of vanilla beans. The flavour is not quite as intense, but it's still delicious! Hope you enjoy!
I love London Fogs so much, my favorite! Before I go to bed, I like to drink it and I use all these ingredients, plus infuse it with lavender. I suggest infusing it with lavender because it adds such a nice taste! Great for relaxing too, thank you for this recipe!♡
Thank you for teaching how to make a latte at home! I didn't know the process and this can be used with any tea flavor, I assume. But my favorite tea is Earl Grey!
I use Sterling Teas loose leaf tea which is sooooo amazing!! If you all have not tried loose leaf teas I suggest it highly. You will not go back to bag teas. 🙂
Do you think you can somehow make this iced? I've gone to a cafe (Prince Street Cafe) and they serve London Fogs both hot and iced! Iced is so good! I'm just not sure how to approach making it iced. Do you think it'd be best to cool it, put it in the fridge, and then add it to ice?
I used to work at Starbucks and the way we made it was adding an Earl Grey tea bag to half water, half steamed milk and vanilla syrup. This way sounds delicious though and I'll have to try it
I haven’t tried this yet, but I noticed at the end of the instructions video it all of the sudden shows the top of the tea frothed before the vanilla sugar is sprinkled on top… how did you froth it after straining it and popping it into the mug?
We frothed some milk in a separate mug with one of our favourite kitchen tools https://amzn.to/37YEm8t (affiliate link). We use this trick to make any milk based drink look better! That frother is our best friend for our daily lattes ☺️
Chrissie Baker;
Hi,I just bought a large London fog tea with vanilla syrup which was my first time drinking this tea and I bought it at second cup in Edmonton,and this tea tasted really
Good.
I just found your website and I am going to copy down your London fog latte recipe and I am going to make it as soon as I can go buy the vanilla beans and pure vanilla extract.I have Earl grey tea bags at home.
Your London fog latte looks really good and I am eager to make it soon.
Can I use decaffeinated Earl grey tea bags to make your London fog latte at home?
Can I use the kcup machine to make your tea?
Kim
Chrissie ;
Hi,I can’t have honey in your London fog latte tea because I am a diabetic,but I can have agave in the tea that hasn’t bothered my blood sugar.i can still use the vanilla bean and seeds or the vanilla extract in your latte.
Kim
You can mix so many things in the tea to make the taste of it more distinct as then you can really enjoy it better. I am sure that this will be a really good technique to make it taste better.
As a tea lover from Russia, I can tell you only one thing – thank you. Without stores like David’s Tea here, you have to improvise a lot and this sure help a ton!
I needed a delightful cup of something this morning. Here in the mountains of Colorado, we have several forest fires out of control. After walking my dog, poor thing, I settled in to make some English muffins and found your recipe for the Earl Grey tea latte. Just what I needed. It is delicious and very easy to make. Sitting back, remarking on this wonderful tea and enjoying the Lords Word. Nothing better! (except maybe some gentle rain to douse these nasty fires!)
Absolutely a great cup of tea I put less honey and milk and it was perfect for me. I also whipped it with my immersion blender for a more frothy cuppa of heaven. Can’t wait for my friends to come over and have a cuppa of heaven while we chat and relax. In had London Fog at my favourite Coffee Shop but sure beats paying the big bucks for tea that’s so easy to make. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
I hope you enjoy this London Fog recipe! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite coffee shop treat to make at home? I’d love to know!! 
I hope you enjoy this London Fog recipe! Let me know in the comments below, what’s your favourite coffee shop treat to make at home? I’d love to know!! 
Christine Ryckman says
mmm…. where do you get vanilla beans??
Chrissie says
Thanks Christine! The best place to get vanilla beans in Canada is Bulk Barn. They usually have them at the cash register 🙂 You can always use real vanilla extract instead of vanilla beans. The flavour is not quite as intense, but it's still delicious! Hope you enjoy!
Nocturnaldaughter says
Target stores carry vanilla beans in the spice isle in the U.S.
Mary says
If you want awesome vanilla beans or vanilla sugar. The best spices are from Penzeys. Enjoy
Ashley Presciutti says
I need this immediately! LOL Looks amazing!
Chrissie says
Thanks Ashley!! I hope you enjoy it!
Dixya says
i love drinking hot beverages..i always almost order earl grey latte at a cafe so im super excited to see this homemade version. thank you much!!!!
Chrissie says
I always order Earl Grey Lattes too! 🙂 I hope you enjoy making your own now!
Anonymous says
Yum!
Chrissie says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Unknown says
I love London Fogs so much, my favorite! Before I go to bed, I like to drink it and I use all these ingredients, plus infuse it with lavender. I suggest infusing it with lavender because it adds such a nice taste! Great for relaxing too, thank you for this recipe!♡
Chrissie says
It would be great with lavender! Thanks for the idea!
Patti MacLeith says
Thank you for teaching how to make a latte at home! I didn't know the process and this can be used with any tea flavor, I assume. But my favorite tea is Earl Grey!
Chrissie says
I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! I hope you give the recipe a try!
Anonymous says
I just made this and it was absolutely fantastic! Wonderful recipe! I tried it with a little cinnamon too and it adds a really nice hint of flavor 🙂
Chrissie says
That's great! I'm so glad you stopped by to let me know you enjoyed it! Thank you!! 🙂
The Busy Baker says
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
Pam Nguyen says
I love earl grey anything and I love that it's so easy to make with few ingredients. Thank you for sharing.
Chrissie says
Thanks Pam! It sounds like you love it for all the same reasons I do!
Krissy Flores says
I use Sterling Teas loose leaf tea which is sooooo amazing!! If you all have not tried loose leaf teas I suggest it highly. You will not go back to bag teas. 🙂
Chrissie says
Thanks for the tip!
Anonymous says
this looks good.I can't drink milk so I may try it with almond milk.Hope it works.
Anonymous says
Do you think you can somehow make this iced? I've gone to a cafe (Prince Street Cafe) and they serve London Fogs both hot and iced! Iced is so good! I'm just not sure how to approach making it iced. Do you think it'd be best to cool it, put it in the fridge, and then add it to ice?
Anonymous says
Looks yummy… off to make some right now, thanks so much for the recipe.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy it!
Patricia says
Ooooh! I can't wait to try this! Thanks for adding the WW points!!!
The Busy Baker says
So glad you like this recipe!
Anonymous says
I used to work at Starbucks and the way we made it was adding an Earl Grey tea bag to half water, half steamed milk and vanilla syrup. This way sounds delicious though and I'll have to try it
Kid says
I haven’t tried this yet, but I noticed at the end of the instructions video it all of the sudden shows the top of the tea frothed before the vanilla sugar is sprinkled on top… how did you froth it after straining it and popping it into the mug?
The Busy Baker Team says
We frothed some milk in a separate mug with one of our favourite kitchen tools https://amzn.to/37YEm8t (affiliate link). We use this trick to make any milk based drink look better! That frother is our best friend for our daily lattes ☺️
Anonymous says
Would almond milk work? I'm sensitive to dairy.
The Busy Baker says
Yes, it totally would!
Kim says
Chrissie Baker;
Hi,I just bought a large London fog tea with vanilla syrup which was my first time drinking this tea and I bought it at second cup in Edmonton,and this tea tasted really
Good.
I just found your website and I am going to copy down your London fog latte recipe and I am going to make it as soon as I can go buy the vanilla beans and pure vanilla extract.I have Earl grey tea bags at home.
Your London fog latte looks really good and I am eager to make it soon.
Can I use decaffeinated Earl grey tea bags to make your London fog latte at home?
Can I use the kcup machine to make your tea?
Kim
Chrissie says
Yes, you can use whatever tea you like and whatever sweetener you like as well. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Kim says
Chrissie ;
Hi,I can’t have honey in your London fog latte tea because I am a diabetic,but I can have agave in the tea that hasn’t bothered my blood sugar.i can still use the vanilla bean and seeds or the vanilla extract in your latte.
Kim
Dorothy Reinhold says
Printing this out ASAP! I love that it can be dairy free if I need it to be! Sounds delish!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Brandy O'Neill says
Love this! It’s a must try for me!
Chrissie says
Hope you enjoy it!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This is seriously making me hungry! This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!😊
Allison says
This is perfect for these chilly days! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome! Hope you enjoy it!
Sandra says
That looks and sounds really comforting! Love that it is so easy to make!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!
Terry says
Hi Chrissie,
I was wondering what the best way to reheat this would be in I stored it in mason jars like you said. Do you have a suggestions?
Chrissie says
You can reheat it on the stove, if you have time, or in the microwave 🙂
Lauren Barnes says
Wow this is gorgeous! I don’t really like tea but Earl Grey with this creamy vanilla flavor is lovely! Thanks for sharing this recipe…
Chrissie says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Zyn says
You can mix so many things in the tea to make the taste of it more distinct as then you can really enjoy it better. I am sure that this will be a really good technique to make it taste better.
The Busy Baker says
Thanks!🙂
Andy says
As a tea lover from Russia, I can tell you only one thing – thank you. Without stores like David’s Tea here, you have to improvise a lot and this sure help a ton!
Chrissie says
Glad you liked it! Thanks 🙂
Sherry says
Great- just love it!
The Busy Baker says
Thank you Sherry!❤️
Lynn says
I needed a delightful cup of something this morning. Here in the mountains of Colorado, we have several forest fires out of control. After walking my dog, poor thing, I settled in to make some English muffins and found your recipe for the Earl Grey tea latte. Just what I needed. It is delicious and very easy to make. Sitting back, remarking on this wonderful tea and enjoying the Lords Word. Nothing better! (except maybe some gentle rain to douse these nasty fires!)
The Busy Baker says
Indeed, sounds like there is nothing better than that. Thanks so much Lynn for taking the time to leave this comment!🙂
KD says
This looks SO good!! I love tea and don’t see a lot of recipes using tea.
Thanks for sharing!
The Busy Baker says
Exactly! Thank you for your comment!😊
Judy Haars says
Absolutely a great cup of tea I put less honey and milk and it was perfect for me. I also whipped it with my immersion blender for a more frothy cuppa of heaven. Can’t wait for my friends to come over and have a cuppa of heaven while we chat and relax. In had London Fog at my favourite Coffee Shop but sure beats paying the big bucks for tea that’s so easy to make. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome Judy! Love your idea for “a more frothy cuppa of heaven”!!
Beverly Woods says
Fantastic!
The Busy Baker says
Thanks Beverly!
Uthaya Kuhaparan says
I just made it . My kids are loving it so much . Thank you for the recipe
The Busy Baker says
You’re welcome!! Thank you🙂
Karr says
My girlfriend loves Tea and following your blog helps me learn more about it. I think now, I am starting to be a Tea lover myself.
The Busy Baker says
Nice!!🙂 Thanks Karr!!