This is one of the best things that has happened to me this year: the discovery of the London Fog. It’s an evocatively named and elegant latte made with bergamot-scented Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.
My discovery was made by way of a tasteful and tea-loving Canadian friend who described this drink so delightfully that I felt a deep and greedy urge to make it right away. He said that the three elements – good Earl Grey tea, properly steamed milk, and fragrant vanilla syrup – needed to be perfectly balanced to create a fourth element: deliciousness. All of these ingredients come together to make a delicately scented hot drink, perfect for a cold day.
It’s easy to make: two parts very strong tea to one part hot milk, sweetened with some vanilla syrup. Making the tea concentrate out of two tea bags is preferable – Earl Grey tea becomes redolent with bitterly overcooked spinach rather than bergamot if oversteeped. Incorporating even a little air into the milk lifts the flavour from milky tea to tea latte, so stir it vigorously or steam it properly using a milk frother, steamer, or a jar and a microwave. Oh, and dumping sugar into the tea doesn’t cut it: the vanilla syrup dissolves completely, encourages a silky texture, and emphasises the bergamot fragrance. Shop bought or home made syrup is fine. There is a difference in flavour if you use a whole vanilla bean in the home made syrup, but they are likely too expensive to be bought just for this, and you might prefer the vanilla extract. If you’ve half a bean to spare, split it in half and add it to the water and sugar, discard when the syrup is cooked and cooled.
Of course, I can’t – even with an attractively frothy top – disguise the fact that this is a really fussy way of making a cuppa. I know that’s a lot just for a cup of tea on someone’s grubby desk, but it’s really delicious tea.
I’ve not seen this drink being sold in our London across the pond, so you’ll probably have to make it if you want to try it! However, if you see this around cafes or tea shops, please do tell me. Otherwise, have a go at making this…
LONDON FOG
Adapted from Brewed Daily.
Short version originally posted on MouthLondon.
Ingredients
For each mug, you will need:
- 2 Earl Grey tea bags
- 200ml boiling hot water, fresh from the kettle
- 100ml milk
- 1 – 3 tablespoons vanilla syrup
Instructions
- Have everything ready and laid out so it all comes together quickly. Put the tea bags into your mug and pour over the hot water. Leave it to steep for the recommended time – usually 3 – 4 minutes.
- While the tea steeps, prepare the milk on the stove or in the microwave. If using the stove, place milk in saucepan over medium heat, stirring until thoroughly hot. Whisk very well. For the microwave, place the milk in a microwave-safe mug or jar and heat on high for 30 – 40 seconds, stirring very well halfway through to warm evenly, and giving it a final good whisk to help foam it. Pour the hot milk into the strong tea. (You can leave the tea bags if you like.)
- Add 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup; taste to see if you want any more. Enjoy right away!
