London Fog Recipe (Starbucks Copycat)

Name: London Fog (Starbucks Copycat)
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1/2 cup milk of choice; 1 Earl Grey tea bag; 1 tsp sweetener or sugar; 1/4 tsp vanilla extract; dried lavender

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Cozy up with this easy to make Earl Grey tea latte that’ll warm your bones from the inside out! Creamy, lightly sweet, and infused with vanilla and the citrusy, floral notes of Earl Grey tea, this homemade London Fog recipe is every bit as cozy as a London Fog from Starbucks, without the $8 price tag.

Funny enough, I used to hate tea. Like, firmly in the “why are we drinking flavoured water?” camp. Then a friend introduced me to the London Fog from Starbucks and swore it was creamy, addicting, and basically everything a person living through a Canadian winter needs. I refused to believe her. Obviously.

Fast forward and here I am making London Fogs at home. An Earl Grey tea latte with vanilla, a little sweetness, and warm, frothy milk, it’s cozy, creamy, and ridiculously easy to make yourself. Now if only I could dig up that friend’s number and admit that maybe, just maybe, she was right.

london fog in a mug topped with frothy milk and lavender, milk frother and tea bag in the background.

What You Need to Make a London Fog from Starbucks at Home

ingredients for london fog from starbucks - earl grey tea, water, milk, vanilla, sweetener, lavender

Move over, Starbucks. There’s a new barista in town! You don’t need any fancy skills or ingredients to whip up this homemade London Fog, aka Earl Grey tea latte. Let’s get into what you’ll need in a little more detail down below:

Earl Grey Tea: One of the more popular teas on the market, Earl Grey tea is widely available and is the base of any good London Fog recipe. It’s typically a black tea flavoured with bergamot, which gives it its distinct citrusy, slightly floral flavour. For a stronger tea flavour, you can use 2 tea bags instead of 1.
Milk: Adds creaminess and texture to this homemade London Fog and gives you that nice foamy, frothy layer you expect from a latte. While Starbucks typically uses 2% milk, I used almond milk instead.
Milk: Any kind of milk, plant based or regular, will do the job. You can even use cream, if you prefer. Just keep in mind that some milks froth better than others. If you’re using a dairy-free milk and really want that thick latte-style foam, a barista-style version is usually your best bet.
Water: Boiled and used to steep the Earl Grey tea.
Sweetener: Adds a little sweetness to this London Fog recipe, of course! Use more or less depending on how sweet you like your latte. I used a Keto friendly sugar free sweetener (monk fruit), but regular sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or simple syrup all make great alternatives.
Vanilla Extract: Adds a bit of umph and ties all of the flavours together. A little vanilla goes a long way here! Starbucks uses vanilla syrup in its London Fog, so you can also use my homemade vanilla simple syrup in place of both the vanilla extract and sugar or sweetener.
Dried Lavender: Completely optional and best used as a pretty garnish. Earl Grey already gets its signature floral and citrusy notes from bergamot, so you don’t need dried lavender to make a delicious Starbucks-style London Fog.

Find the full ingredient list and exact measurements in the recipe card below.

london fog with a spoon in it, muffins with another london fog and tea bag in the background

How to Make a London Fog from Starbucks (Key Tips)

You can find the full instructions for this Starbucks copycat London Fog in the recipe card down below, but here are a few quick tips to keep in mind:

Steep the tea long enough to get good Earl Grey flavour, but don’t forget about it. Let the tea bag steep in the boiling hot water for 3 to 5 minutes. The longer you steep it, the stronger the tea will taste. However, avoid steeping it for too long or the tea can become bitter. For an extra strong Earl Grey flavour, use 2 tea bags instead of 1.
Don’t boil the milk or it can scorch and taste burnt. You want it nice and hot, but not boiling. You can heat it in the microwave for about a minute or warm it in a small pot on the stove, keeping a close eye on it and whisking frequently.
Use a milk frother for that coffee-shop-worthy foam. PSA: My milk frother is like the best $5 I’ve ever spent. Since they’re so inexpensive, I say it’s definitely worth it to get one. It’s the easiest way to get the milk niiiiice and foamy like they do at Starbucks or fancy cafés. Makes for a REAL latte. Buuuuut, if you don’t have one, your London Fog will still taste just as good without the foam. You can also try vigorously shaking the hot milk in a tightly sealed jar to create some froth. EXTRA TIP: Use a spoon to hold back the froth as you pour the hot milk into the tea. Then spoon the leftover foam directly on top of the latte.

hand holding a mug with frothy milk and lavender, spoon in the background

FAQs

A London Fog is an Earl Grey tea latte made with brewed Earl Grey tea, vanilla, sweetener, and steamed or frothed milk. The Earl Grey gives the drink its distinct bergamot flavour while the vanilla and milk make it creamy, lightly sweet, and extra cozy.

The Starbucks version is made with Earl Grey tea, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk. This homemade Starbucks London Fog recipe uses vanilla extract and your sweetener of choice, or you can use homemade vanilla simple syrup to get even closer to the Starbucks version.

Pretty much! A London Fog is a type of Earl Grey tea latte. While “tea latte” can refer to all sorts of teas combined with steamed milk, a London Fog specifically uses Earl Grey along with vanilla and sweetness.

And unlike a traditional coffee latte, there’s no espresso involved. The Earl Grey tea is the base instead.

Yes. Earl Grey is typically made with black tea, so a London Fog does contain caffeine. Exactly how much will depend on the tea you use, how many tea bags you add, and how long you steep it.

If you want to enjoy a London Fog later in the evening without as much caffeine, try making it with a decaffeinated Earl Grey tea instead.

Absolutely! A London Fog is delicious hot or iced.

For an iced London Fog, let the steeped and sweetened Earl Grey tea chill before pouring it over ice. Add cold frothed milk and you’ve got yourself a creamy iced version. See the recipe card notes below for the full variation.

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London Fog (Starbucks Copycat)

This homemade London Fog recipe is a creamy Earl Grey tea latte made with vanilla, your favourite milk, and just the right amount of sweetness. It’s quick, cozy, and easy to make right at home.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings 1 Latte

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

1 cup water
½ cup milk of choice
1 Earl Grey tea bag
1 tsp sweetener or sugar
¼ tsp vanilla extract
dried lavender (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil in a pot or a kettle then pour it into a mug with the tea bag.
Steep for 3 to 5 minutes depending on how strong you want the tea flavour to be. Remove the tea bag and stir in the sweetener.
Meanwhile, add the vanilla to the milk and heat it in the microwave for about one minute. You can also do this in a small pot on the stove, but keep a close eye on it and whisk frequently to ensure it doesn’t burn. You want the milk hot but not boiling. Use a milk frother to get the milk niiiiice and foamy.
Pour it into the tea, using a spoon to hold back the foam.
Spoon the foam on top of the latte. Taste and adjust for sweetness, garnish with dried lavender if using, and serve immediately.

Notes

For a stronger earl grey tea flavour, use 2 tea bags instead of 1.

To make this Starbucks London Fog iced instead of hot, steep the tea as directed and stir in the sweetener. Chill it in the fridge for at least 10 minutes, then pour it over a glass filled with ice. Froth the milk cold instead of heating it, pour it over the tea, and spoon the foam on top.

For a flavour closer to the Starbucks version, use my homemade vanilla simple syrup in place of both the vanilla extract and sugar or sweetener.

Nutrition

Don’t skip the good stuff —

scroll up above the recipe card for ingredient notes, tips & tricks, and easy swaps/variations.

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London Fog (Starbucks Copycat)

What You Need to Make a London Fog from Starbucks at Home

How to Make a London Fog from Starbucks (Key Tips)

FAQs