Classic Earl Grey Tea Latte Recipe (London Fog)

Water: The base for steeping the tea, ensuring the flavors are well-extracted.

Earl Grey tea: A black tea blend with a distinctive bergamot flavor, essential for the classic taste.

Milk: Adds creaminess and can be frothed for a luxurious texture; choose any type you prefer.

Vanilla extract: Enhances the tea with a sweet, floral note.

Sugar: Sweetens the drink to your taste, balancing the flavors.

To achieve a perfectly balanced Earl Grey Tea Latte, ensure that the water is at the right temperature before steeping the tea bag. Boiling water can scorch the delicate tea leaves, leading to a bitter taste. Aim for water just off the boil, around 200°F (93°C). Additionally, when frothing the milk, use a milk frother to create a creamy, velvety texture that complements the tea. For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of ground vanilla bean or cinnamon on top of the froth before serving.

• earl grey tea - Substitute with english breakfast tea: English breakfast tea provides a robust flavor that pairs well with milk and vanilla, though it lacks the distinctive bergamot notes of earl grey.

• earl grey tea - Substitute with chai tea: Chai tea offers a spiced, aromatic profile that complements the vanilla and milk, creating a different but equally enjoyable latte experience.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk adds a nutty flavor and is a great dairy-free alternative that froths well for lattes.

• milk - Substitute with oat milk: Oat milk has a creamy texture and neutral taste, making it an excellent substitute for traditional milk in lattes.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor, which pairs well with the tea and milk.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a nutty, aromatic flavor that can add a unique twist to the latte.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey offers a natural sweetness and a slightly floral note that complements the tea and milk.

• sugar - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a low-glycemic sweetener that dissolves easily in liquids, making it a good alternative to sugar.

• Allow the Earl Grey tea latte to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can dilute the flavor.
• Pour the cooled tea latte into an airtight container. Glass jars or BPA-free plastic containers work well.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The tea latte can be kept for up to 3 days.
• When ready to enjoy, reheat the tea latte on the stove over medium heat or in the microwave. Be sure to stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
• If you prefer a frothy texture, re-froth the milk after reheating. Use a milk frother or whisk to achieve the desired consistency.
• For freezing, pour the cooled tea latte into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• To enjoy a frozen tea latte, simply add the cubes to a blender with a splash of milk and blend until smooth. This creates a refreshing, icy version of the classic drink.

• Gently reheat the tea latte on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. This method helps maintain the delicate flavors of the earl grey tea and vanilla extract.
• Use a microwave-safe mug to reheat the tea latte in the microwave. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can cause the milk to curdle.
• If you have a milk frother with a heating function, pour the tea latte into the frother and use the heating setting. This will gently warm the tea latte while maintaining its frothy texture.
• For a quick fix, use a double boiler method. Place the tea latte in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until warmed through. This indirect heat helps preserve the milk's smoothness and prevents it from burning.

• Kettle: Used to boil the water for steeping the earl grey tea.

• Tea bag: Contains the earl grey tea leaves needed for the recipe.

• Measuring cup: Ensures accurate measurement of water and milk.

• Saucepan: Used to heat the milk until hot but not boiling.

• Milk frother: Froths the milk to create a creamy texture for the latte.

• Teaspoon: Measures the vanilla extract and sugar accurately.

• Stirring spoon: Used to stir in the vanilla extract and sugar into the tea.

• Cup: The final serving vessel for the tea latte.

• Timer: Helps keep track of the steeping time for the tea.

Preheat water: Boil water in an electric kettle for faster results.

Use microwave: Heat milk in the microwave to save time.

Premix sweetener: Combine sugar and vanilla extract in advance.

Batch prep: Steep multiple earl grey tea bags at once and store in the fridge.

Froth efficiently: Use an electric milk frother for quick frothing.