By the Yerba Buena Tea Co. team. Updated June 2026.
The quick version: a London Fog is a tea latte, strong Earl Grey, steamed milk, and a touch of vanilla. To make one at home in about 5 minutes: steep 1 tablespoon of Earl Grey in ⅔ cup of just-boiled water for 5 minutes to make a strong concentrate, froth ½ cup of warm milk with 2 tablespoons of vanilla syrup, then pour the milk over the tea. The full recipe card, plus our Lavender twist, is just below.
If there is one drink that captures the spirit of the Pacific Northwest, it is the London Fog. Despite the name, this cozy, foggy-day staple didn't originate in England. It was invented right here in our corner of the world, in Vancouver, BC, in the 1990s.
It has since become a coffee-shop staple, but here is the secret baristas won't tell you: it is incredibly easy to make at home, and it tastes infinitely better with real, organic tea instead of a syrup concentrate.
What is a London Fog?
Think of a London Fog as the cappuccino of the tea world. It is different from a plain cup of tea with milk because of three things:
- The base: it has to be Earl Grey. The citrus note of bergamot oil is what cuts through the richness of the milk.
- The texture: it needs steamed or frothed milk, for a velvety micro-foam.
- The sweetener: it is traditionally sweetened with vanilla, which pairs perfectly with the floral aromatics of the tea.
The secret: make a tea concentrate
The biggest mistake people make at home is watery tea. Because you are adding a good amount of milk, your tea base needs to be strong.
Instead of brewing a full cup of water, steep the loose leaf in just ⅔ cup of boiling water. That makes a potent shot of Earl Grey so the bright bergamot still shines through the creamy foam.
Choose your blend: classic or lavender
At Yerba Buena Tea Co. there are two paths to London Fog perfection. Because we use whole-leaf tea and real essential oils, you get a depth of flavor tea bags can't match.
1. The traditionalist
Use our Classic Earl Grey, pure cold-pressed Italian bergamot oil on a robust black tea base. Bright, citrusy, and wide-awake. Best with vanilla syrup.
2. The Lavender Fog upgrade
For a more sophisticated twist, swap the base for our Lavender Grey, our classic Earl Grey blended with whole organic lavender flowers. The lavender fuses with the vanilla milk into something that tastes like a spa day in a mug, deeply calming and aromatic.
Ready to be your own barista? Grab your favorite mug and follow the simple steps in the recipe card below.
Frequently asked questions
What is in a London Fog latte?
Three things: Earl Grey tea, steamed or frothed milk, and vanilla. That is the classic. A Lavender Fog adds lavender to the mix. No coffee, and no need for a sugary syrup concentrate.
Is a London Fog the same as a latte?
It is a tea latte. Same idea as a coffee latte, a strong base plus steamed milk, but built on a concentrated shot of Earl Grey instead of espresso.
How does Starbucks make a London Fog?
Starbucks builds theirs on Earl Grey with steamed milk and vanilla syrup, plus a pump of their classic sweetener. This homemade version is the same idea with real loose-leaf tea and a lot less sugar, which is why it tastes brighter.
Is a London Fog caffeinated?
Yes. It is built on black tea, so a cup has roughly 40 to 70 mg of caffeine, about half a coffee. For the full picture, see our tea vs coffee caffeine chart.
Can I make a London Fog iced?
Yes, and it is lovely in summer. Brew the concentrate, sweeten it while it is hot, let it cool, then pour over a glass of ice and top with cold milk. The same trick works for any tea in our guide to making iced tea.
What is the tea-to-milk ratio?
Roughly ⅔ cup of strong tea concentrate to ½ cup of frothed milk. Want it creamier? Add more milk. Want a bolder tea flavor? Steep a little stronger. It is forgiving, so adjust to taste.
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