Healthy London Fog Latte (Starbucks Copycat)
A customizable, low-sugar version of the classic Earl Grey tea latte. This recipe shows you the pro secret to achieving strong tea flavor and thick, velvety foam at home for a fraction of the cost.
Equipment
- Small saucepan (2) or kettle and a single saucepan (for milk)
- Fine sieve/mesh strainer (mandatory for loose leaf/lavender)
- Milk frother, steam wand, or French press (optional, for foam)
- Mug or teacup
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice, see notes
- 1 Earl Grey tea bag or 1-2 teaspoons loose leaf
- ½ cup water for brewing
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup or sugar-free sweetener to taste
- Pinch of culinary-grade lavender optional
Optional: steamed milk foam for topping
Instructions
- Brew the Strong Tea Base: In a small saucepan, bring the ½ cup of water to a gentle simmer (do not boil hard). Remove from heat and add the Earl Grey tea bag (and lavender, if using). Let it steep for exactly 5 minutes for maximum flavor extraction.
- Warm Milk & Sweetener: While the tea steeps, gently warm the remaining ¾ cup of almond milk in a separate small saucepan over low heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and your sweetener until completely dissolved. Do not let the milk boil.
- Strain and Combine: Remove the tea bag and use a sieve to strain the brewed tea into your mug, ensuring all loose lavender pieces are removed. Slowly pour the warm milk mixture over the tea.
- Froth the Topping: If desired, froth additional milk using a frother or whisk and gently spoon the foam over the latte.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Sprinkle a dusting of cinnamon or a few pieces of dried lavender on top for aroma and beauty.
Notes
- The Best Foam: Oat milk or soy milk contain more protein/fat and will produce a much richer, thicker, and longer-lasting foam than almond milk.
- Low-Sugar/Keto Hack: For a truly low-sugar London Fog, substitute the honey/maple syrup with a few drops of liquid Stevia or Monk Fruit sweetener to taste.
- Iced Variation: To make this iced, use the full 1 cup of water for brewing, steep, and then chill the tea completely in the refrigerator. Pour the cold tea over ice and top with cold, frothed milk. Do not heat the milk.
- Make-Ahead: Brewed, unsweetened Earl Grey tea can be batched and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for quick assembly later.
- Safety Warning: Always use culinary-grade lavender (sold for food use) to ensure safety and the best floral flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 2g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!