How to Make a London Fog: My Favorite Lavender Version

Recipe: How to Make a Lavender London Fog

Mornings are always a little hectic—getting my daughter off to school, settling in for work—but I’ve found a small ritual that brings calm and self-care: a homemade Lavender London Fog. The warmth of the Earl Grey, the hint of lavender, and a splash of vanilla make it my perfect morning cup. Today, I want to share how to make a London Fog, step by step, so you can enjoy it too.

Whether you’re a busy mom, a tea lover, or just someone looking for a cozy drink to start the day, this recipe is simple, flavorful, and completely customizable.

This post contains a few affiliate links to make sourcing easier for you—if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share items I truly love and use myself.

Tips for the Perfect London Fog

• Use high-quality Earl Grey tea for the best flavor. Bigelow is my go-to favorite.
• Adjust syrup to taste; start with less and add more if you like it sweeter.
• Experiment with non-dairy milk (oat or almond) for a unique flavor.
• Make a batch of lavender vanilla syrup ahead of time for quick weekday London Fog drinks.
• Get a small, handheld milk frother. They’re inexpensive, store away easily in a cabinet or on the counter, and are the perfect tool for making tea lattes. I love my Zulay frother, which you can find here.
• You’re going to notice a high steep time. I have personally found that the flavor is richer when I add the flavored steamed and frothed milk while the tea is still steeping. For some reason (please let me know if you discover the science behind this), when steeping tea in milk, it takes much longer. My sweet spot is a 10-minute steep, but experiment with what works for you. I don’t like the bitterness of over-brewed tea, but 10 minutes is always just right for me.

Lavender Vanilla Syrup

A London Fog is only as good as its sweetener. I make my own lavender vanilla syrup for a fragrant, lightly floral flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender
• 1-2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (adjust amount to your taste preference)

Instructions:

1. Combine water, sugar, and lavender in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Let simmer 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
4. Steep for 10–15 minutes.
5. Strain out lavender and stir in vanilla extract.
6. Store in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Lavender London Fog Recipe

Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 tsp loose-leaf)
• ½ cup hot water
• ½ cup steamed milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2–3 tablespoons lavender vanilla syrup from recipe above

Instructions:

1. Steep Earl Grey tea in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
2. While the tea begins steeping, steam or heat your milk. (Full transparency, on groggy mornings I absolutely use the microwave).
3. Stir lavender vanilla syrup into the steamed milk and froth.
4. Add steamed milk into the tea and let it finish steeping.
5. Give it another quick froth.

Enjoy on your porch, in the garden, or in a quiet nook of the house, with the morning light, before jumping into your day. This is my favorite way to make a London Fog feel extra special and calming.