How to Make an Iced London Fog Drink

Did you know that the London Fog started as a pregnancy craving? The original creator didn’t name it, but her craving was so good that it’s spread all over with its fun name. This iced London fog drink features a creamy Earl Grey cream on top, making it twice as good and foggy (hence the name).

This double Earl Grey latte is delicious and easy to make at home! With just 5 base ingredients, you can make this amazing and creamy Earl Grey drink that is better than the cafe.

Here’s how to make this iced London fog drink at home!

What is a London Fog Drink?

A London Fog, or London Fog tea latte, is steeped Earl Grey tea mixed with milk, sweetener, and vanilla. Sometimes, you’ll also find lavender added in for an extra floral flavor. But usually, the default is an Earl Grey tea latte with vanilla (like the London Fog from Starbucks).

As mentioned, a pregnant woman in 1997 ordered it as a way to replace caffeine, ordering Earl Grey with steamed milk and a little vanilla sugar. While the London Fog doesn’t have coffee, it still has some caffeine from the tea!

Cafes usually serve London Fogs hot, it’s also delicious iced.

What is Earl Grey Tea?

Earl Grey tea is a black tea blend that’s infused with bergamot, a citrus fruit known for its bright, slightly floral, and bitter aroma. The bergamot gives Earl Grey its signature flavor: fragrant, bold black tea and a punch of citrusy sweetness.

While traditionally made with black tea, modern variations of Earl Grey can include green tea, rooibos, or even herbal blends, all infused with bergamot.

This versatile tea makes amazing drinks, like this London Fog, Earl Grey hot chocolate, or even bubble tea!

Why is it Called a London Fog?

Some speculate that the drink got its name from how the milk clouds up the brewed tea, appearing like fog. But then every tea latte would be named a different type of fog!

Fog in London is notoriously gray, so perhaps someone created the same tea latte with lavender syrup (which is purple) which makes the drink a light gray color and made the connection. It’s uncertain who specifically named this drink the London Fog, but it’s a memorable one!

And now, you can find different versions of the fog tea lattes everywhere (some examples at the end of this blog)!

Is a London Fog the Same as an Earl Grey Latte?

Yes, a London Fog is the same thing as an Earl Grey latte. The London Fog latte is just another name for an Earl Grey tea latte.

The only difference is that an Earl Grey latte can come sweetened or unsweetened while a London Fog usually comes sweetened. Most cafes won’t have vanilla extract, usually using vanilla syrup, to add if you want an unsweetened London Fog.

What Does a London Fog Drink Taste Like?

London Fogs are so delicious! They taste like a creamy, sweet vanilla tea with a bright floral and citrus flavor from the bergamot oil. It kind of also tastes like the popular cereal Fruit Loops!

The added vanilla balances all the flavors together, especially the slight bitterness from the Earl Grey tea.

I especially like London Fog drinks with lavender because the floral flavor goes really well with bergamot. It’s not too floral or overpowering with the added milk.

How to Make Earl Grey Cream

This London Fog drink has an Earl Grey cream top that makes it soooo decadent and delicious. If you didn’t have enough flavor in the drink itself, this cream takes it to the next level.

You can easily make an Earl Grey cream or cold foam by making Earl Grey syrup, then combining it with heavy cream and whipping it until you get soft peaks. You can use a handheld frother or whisk.

I prefer using syrup instead of a tea concentrate for the cream because any added water will make the cream looser and harder to whip.

Although, with the added moisture you’ll make a great sweet cream cold foam!

How to Order a London Fog

If you go to a cafe or coffee shop and they don’t have a London Fog on their menu, the drink should be pretty universal so if you ask for a London Fog, the barista should know what you are talking about.

However, you can also easily order it by asking for an Earl Grey tea latte with vanilla or lavender syrup. This way, it’s more specific what you actually want. Some baristas also may assume a London Fog is made with one syrup or the other, so it’s always best just to be specific.

How to Make an Iced Fog Drink

Here’s what you’ll need to make a iced London Fog Drink:

  • ½ tbsp Earl Grey syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp Earl Grey tea leaves
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup ice
  • 3 tbsp evaporated or whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ tsp vanilla or lavender extract

Iced London Fog Recipe

  1. Steep Earl Grey Tea. Steep tea in hot water for 3-5 minutes or until the tea turns a deep orange color. Taste the tea to see whether it’s at your desired strength. Add sugar and milk, then let cool.
  2. Make Earl Grey Cream. Add Earl Grey syrup and heavy cream to a small cup or bowl, then whip using a handheld frother or whisk until soft and fluffy. You can either stop when it’s fluffy and pourable or whip until it’s a proper whipped cream.
  3. Assemble Double London Fog Drink. Add ice and sweetened Earl Grey tea to a tall glass, then top with your sweetened tea cream.
  4. Mix and Enjoy!

London Fog Variations

If you fancy this delicious combination, there are so many variations of a London Fog to try after! Including:

  • The London Smog or Dirty Earl: the same drink but with an added shot of espresso!
  • Tokyo Fog: made with matcha instead
  • Matcha London Fog: matcha and Earl Grey; it’s one of my favorite combinations!
  • Bangalore Fog: a chai version (basically a vanilla chai latte)
  • Dublin Fog: the Irish breakfast tea version

Honestly, you can even make your own version of a “fog” by using a different tea with vanilla and milk! It’s so fun and gets your creative juices flowing. Maybe you’ll discover the next best thing!

Easy Creamy Iced London Fog

This iced London Fog latte is delicious and easy to make at home! With just 5 base ingredients, you can make this amazing and creamy Earl Grey drink that is better than the cafe. And the added cream top is so creamy and smooth!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Drinks
Servings: 1 person

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Earl grey tea leaves
  • ½ tbsp earl grey syrup
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 cup ice
  • 3 tbsp evaporated or whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Steep Earl Grey Tea. Steep tea in hot water for 3-5 minutes or until the tea turns a deep orange color. Taste the tea to see whether it's at your desired strength. Add sugar and milk, then let cool.
  • Make Earl Grey Cream. Add Earl Grey syrup and heavy cream to a small cup or bowl, then whip using a handheld frother or whisk until soft and fluffy. You can either stop when it's fluffy and pourable or whip until it's a proper whipped cream.
  • Assemble Double London Fog Drink. Add ice and sweetened Earl Grey tea to a tall glass, then top with your sweetened tea cream.
  • Mix and Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Once you brew your tea, and add your sweetener and milk, you can either wait for it to cool before adding ice, or you can flash-chill it by adding ice immediately. Note that the latter method will make your tea more watery.

Tips:

Here are some tips for making a delicious iced London Fog drink at home!

  • Use Tea Concentrate: For a less watered-down tea, brew an Earl Grey tea concentrate (more tea and less water) and add milk to it. This will give you a more true latte, and hopefully a creamier flavor with the bold tea.
  • Steeped Milk Tea: For a creamy and balanced version, brew your tea in milk and let it steep for 3-4 hours after (or overnight) and you’ll end up with a cold brew that is delicious.
  • Make Plain Sweet Cream: Omit the Earl Grey syrup from your cream to make a regular sweet cream top that will add the perfect creaminess and sweetness to your London Fog.

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