It’s a dark and dreary day by the River Thames in downtown London. A fog rolls in with bouts of mist and rain. You seek comfort, and a local shop is serving tea. Why not hustle to the shop, tuck into a booth by a crackling fire to warm up, and order a cozy hot tea with steamed milk?
When your tea arrives, you wrap your hands around the cup and inhale the fragrant aroma. Notes of bergamot, vanilla, and dare I say it, even lavender envelop your senses. The sheer decadence of this hot beverage begins to emancipate your bones from the frigid cold and damp fog of London.
At least that’s how I originally envisioned the beverage known as “London Fog,” upon first hearing the drink's name. Ironically enough, the popular beverage we all know, now a café staple, did not originate in London.
The “London Fog” was born in the great Canadian city of Vancouver. And if you order this drink across the pond, it is known as the “Vancouver Fog.” How it became known as the “London Fog” is still a mystery.
The “London Fog” started with very humble beginnings. An expecting patron who frequented the Buckwheat café of Vancouver in the late 90s had an interesting craving. The future mother asked the barista to humor her request. The barista obliged and a new style of tea beverage was conceived.
The drink consisted of Earl Grey tea, vanilla, and skim milk; some even used the hot milk to steep the tea. After many requests, this beverage started gaining notoriety. It revolutionized the tea latté trend that is now going full steam ahead.
25 plus years later, it has even brought the latter name of the drink – the “fog” – as an understanding of having frothed or steamed milk, bringing fun to the latté culture for tea.
There is potential for a lot of “fog” in the tea world now. Some use a technique that steeps the tea in piping hot milk while others steep the tea and then add steamed/frothed milk. With cold foam becoming ever more popular in the beverage industry, it also has been paired with tea beverages, ensuring delicious success.
The “London Fog” has opened doors to a budding future for more combinations and variations of the iconic drink. Some have a “Dirty Fog” that combines your classic “London Fog” ingredients (Earl Grey, vanilla, and milk) with a shot of chai tea, bringing a spicy allure to the drink. A deluxe version now combines lavender to play off the bergamot on the palate.
At Upton Tea Imports, we have a wide selection of Earl Greys, ranging from a delicate bergamot essence to an extra strong bergamot flavor, so you can enjoy making a variety of “fogs.”
We invite you to enjoy Upton Tea Imports’ finest teas to make this posh drink in the comfort of your very own home.
Traditional London Fog
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients:
- 1 generous teaspoon of NT11 Extra Bergamot Earl Grey
- 1 generous teaspoon of NT01: Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea
- 2 tablespoons 2% or low-fat milk. You can also use a dairy-free alternative.
- 1 tablespoon of HONEY3: Tupelo Honey
Equipment:
- Stovetop saucepan
- Or, electric milk steamer
- Your favorite tea infuser
Directions:
- Combine the tea leaves, mixing evenly.
- Steep the leaves in 212°F (boiling point) water for 3 minutes.
- Steam the milk by heating on the stovetop, or with a milk steamer.
- Add the honey.
- Stir steamed milk into the tea, then add extra to the top, if desired.
- Enjoy with friends and family!
Lavender London Fog
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients:
- 1 generous teaspoon of NT12: Earl Grey Lavender Black Tea
- 1 generous teaspoon of NT01: Earl Grey Crème Vanilla Black Tea
- 2 tablespoons 2% or low-fat milk. You can also use a dairy-free alternative.
- Sweetener (optional)
- Culinary lavender buds (optional)
Equipment:
- Stovetop saucepan
- Or, electric milk steamer
Directions:
- Combine the tea leaves, mixing evenly.
- Steep the leaves in 212°F (boiling point) water for 4 minutes.
- Steam the milk by heating on the stovetop, or with a milk steamer.
- Add a sweetener of your choice, if desired.
- Stir steamed milk into the tea, then add extra to the top, if desired.
- Garnish with a few culinary lavender buds for a posh epicurean look.
- And the most important step – enjoy!