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I am not a coffee drinker at all, but I do enjoy fancy morning beverages. But one thing I’ve found is that most, if not all, tea lattes that you can order at coffee shops are way too sweet. So, after years of paying for the convenience of having someone else make a fancy drink for me, I decided to work on perfecting my own Iced London Fog recipe. As it turns out, it’s incredibly easy and doesn’t have to involve a ton of dishes afterward. Oh, and I get to control the sugar level, which, for me, means I’m not adding any at all.
What is a London Fog?
A London Fog is an Earl Grey Tea Latte; I have seen both names on menus at tea and coffee shops. Sometimes there will be added vanilla or lavender syrup, but the basics are Earl Grey tea and milk of some kind (steamed if served hot, usually plain when served iced). According to the internet, the drink was first popularized in Vancouver, British Columbia, and was very much a west coast phenomena until Starbucks put it on their menu in 2005. In my own travels, I’ve seen London Fogs all across the country, so it’s no longer just a West Coast thing.
Ingredients for an Iced London Fog
Earl Grey Tea
Earl Grey is simply a blend of black tea with bergamot oil or essence added. It is one of the teas that pairs extremely well with milk. Before steeping, take a look at your teabags: the finer the tea leaves are, the stronger your final concentrate will be. Some brands will add cornflowers or other ingredients to their blends; try them out and see if they work for you!
You can find varieties of Earl Grey with green or white teas. While I love them on their own, I find they do not pair well with milk and are best served hot. Green Earl Grey is too grassy and competes with the added milk, while the milk completely overpowers the white tea in the White Earl Grey.
Whole Milk
Personally, there is no substitute for whole milk. The fat content adds a creaminess that is unparalleled, and it is the best milk for cold frothing. However, I fully acknowledge that my tastes are my own, so feel free to substitute with any milk of your liking.
If you’re vegan or doing a Whole30, I have found that almond milk will also cold froth nicely.
Why a Countertop Milk Frother is Worth It
I’ve determined that frothed milk is the key to getting the perfect texture for iced drinks. Yeah, I know that sounds funny, but it makes a difference. Cold frothing the milk is basically what made the difference between going out and paying $5 for a fancy drink and saving money by making it at home.
I have this Miroco frother (not sponsored), and it is definitely worth both the $40 price tag and the counterspace. It is easy to clean, especially immediately after use. I’ve tried using handheld frothers in the past and they don’t compare. A countertop frother can make both hot and cold froth, which means I don’t have to separately scald the milk in a pot on the stove before frothing it for a hot drink. I probably use this every day now, so it is definitely worth the counterspace.
Iced London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte)
This refreshing Iced London Fog uses a tea concentrate that is steeped overnight in the refrigerator and lasts for up to 5 days, so you'll be prepared all week.
Ingredients
For the Tea Concentrate (enough for 4 servings)
- 6 Earl Grey teabags
- 3 1/4 cups (26oz) Filtered Water
For the Iced London Fog (makes 1)
- 3/4 cup (6oz) Earl Grey Tea Concentrate
- Ice, to taste
- 1/2 cup (4oz) Whole Milk
Instructions
Make the Tea Concentrate
- Add filtered water and tea bags to a mason jar and seal. Be sure the tea bags are fully submerged in the water (the mason jar can be flipped to ensure that this is the case)
- Chill in the refrigerator for 8-10 hours; the longer the steep time, the stronger the concentrate will be.
Make the Iced London Fog
- Add 6oz of the tea concentrate to a cup with ice.
- Pour milk over tea. Stir and enjoy!
Notes
Froth the milk for an extra decadent treat. Whole milk froths the best; the lower the fat content, the less the milk will foam/froth.
Unsweetened almond milk would be the best plant-based substitute.
