A London Fog is a creamy, silky-smooth, slightly sweeter take on a cuppa tea. Traditionally, this drink is made with a good, strong Earl Grey tea and frothy milk, with sweetened vanilla. It sounds like a delightful tea latte, doesn’t it?
The name brings a mystery to many folks who enjoy this drink. Where did it originate? Why was it created? Who invented the delicious tea concoction? Unfortunately, there are many people throughout history, whole countries included, that take credit for the idea and creation.
There is one story, however, that seems to be accepted by most as to how the London Fog came to be. It takes place in Vancouver, Canada, at the Buckwheat Cafe. The cafe is now closed, but fortunately for us, the London Fog will live on forever. In the mid-1990s, a regular of the cafe, Mary Loria, who was pregnant and no longer drinking coffee, asked for a different hot drink to sip on. She asked for a regular black brewed tea and added steamed milk and a dash of vanilla and sugar. From there on, we see this preparation gain in popularity throughout the years. The recipe isn’t as old and classic as one might think and doesn’t relate to the Smog coverage of London that killed hundreds in the late 1800s. Fortunately, the history of the drink has a lighter and happier beginning, even if we never know the REAL origin of the cuppa tea.
Below, you can find the recipe for this delightful, warming, soul-comforting cup of tea. You can certainly order this hot beverage at nearly any coffee shop, but it’s painless and simple enough to whip up in the comfort of your own home as well!
London Fog:
● 4 ounces water
● 4 ounces milk (can use almond milk in place of cow’s milk)
● 2 teaspoon earl grey tea
● 1 teaspoon sugar
● 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Bring water to a boil. Add tea leaves to a tea infuser and let steep for five minutes. While tea is steeping, add milk to a small saucepan and warm over medium-low heat. Remove milk and froth with an electric frother. Once the tea is fully steeped, remove the infuser and add sweetener and vanilla. Spoon frothed milk into the seasoned tea mixture and stir.
Final step... enjoy and embrace the heart-warming concoction known as the London Fog!