Short answer
A London Fog is a hot drink of Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla syrup, usually called a tea latte. It contains no coffee, and it is generally traced to Vancouver, British Columbia, though the exact origin is disputed.
A London Fog is a hot tea latte made from Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla syrup. The tea is brewed strong, sweetened with vanilla and topped with milk foam, so the drink tastes floral, creamy and lightly sweet. A London Fog has no coffee in it, and the name usually points to Vancouver, Canada.
What is a London Fog?
A London Fog is a tea latte: strong Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla, served hot in a mug or wide cup. The black tea is flavoured with bergamot, a citrus fruit, which gives the drink a perfumed, slightly floral taste.
Cafes sometimes write it as “London Fog latte” or “Earl Grey latte”. The mix of tea, milk and a sweet syrup follows the same idea as a coffee latte, only with tea in place of espresso. The drink is mild, so it often appeals to people who find coffee too sharp.
Where does the London Fog come from?
The London Fog is generally traced to Vancouver, British Columbia, where it spread from local cafes in the 1990s. The exact origin is disputed, and several people and cafes claim to have created it first.
Nobody has produced firm proof, so it is safest to say the drink became popular in Vancouver and then moved across Canada and into the United States. The name has nothing to do with the weather in London. It most likely refers to the misty, pale grey colour of milky tea and to the English reputation of Earl Grey.
What is in a London Fog?
A London Fog has three parts: Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla syrup. Everything else is a variation.
| Part | What it does | Common choices |
|---|---|---|
| Earl Grey tea | Gives bergamot flavour and a tannic backbone | Tea bag or loose leaf, brewed strong |
| Milk | Softens the tea and makes foam | Dairy, oat, soy or almond |
| Vanilla | Adds sweetness and a rounded aroma | Syrup, or a little sugar with vanilla paste |
| Topping | Texture and look | Milk foam, sometimes dried lavender |
Some cafes add a little lavender, which pairs well with bergamot. A plain sugar syrup works if vanilla is not available, though the drink then loses its signature taste.
How do you make a London Fog at home?
You make a London Fog by steeping Earl Grey tea in hot water for about five minutes, stirring in vanilla syrup and topping the cup with steamed or frothed milk. The method takes about ten minutes.
- Boil fresh water and let it sit for 30 seconds, so it is around 95 °C.
- Pour about 120 ml over one tea bag or one heaped teaspoon of loose Earl Grey. Steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea. Stir in 1 to 2 teaspoons of vanilla syrup.
- Heat 150 ml of milk until steaming but not boiling, then froth it with a wand, a whisk or a jar shaken with the lid on.
- Pour the milk over the tea, holding back the foam with a spoon, then add the foam on top.
A strong brew matters. Milk dilutes the tea, so a weak steep tastes like warm vanilla milk.
Which milk works best in a London Fog?
Oat milk gives the creamiest London Fog, while whole dairy milk gives the most familiar foam. Soy and almond milk also work, and each changes the taste a little.
- Whole milk: rich and sweet, forms thick foam.
- Oat milk: smooth and slightly grainy sweet, steams well.
- Soy milk: thick foam, a mild beany taste that some people notice with tea.
- Almond milk: lighter and nutty, foam fades faster.
If a cafe offers a choice, ask for the milk you like. Cold milk added straight into hot tea can curdle with some plant milks, so steaming the milk first helps.
London Fog vs chai latte: what is the difference?
A London Fog is made with Earl Grey and vanilla, while a chai latte is made with black tea and warming spices such as cinnamon, cardamom and ginger. The taste of a London Fog is floral and citrusy, and a chai latte is spicy.
| Drink | Tea base | Main flavours | Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Fog | Earl Grey | Bergamot, vanilla | Light, floral |
| Chai latte | Black tea | Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger | Warm, spiced |
| Matcha latte | Matcha powder | Grassy, slightly sweet | Earthy, green |
Both drinks are tea lattes with steamed milk, so the texture is similar.
Does a London Fog contain caffeine?
A London Fog contains some caffeine, because Earl Grey is a black tea. The amount is generally lower than in a cup of coffee, though it depends on the tea and the steeping time.
A longer steep releases more caffeine and more bitterness. A decaffeinated Earl Grey is sold by several tea brands for anyone who wants the flavour without the stimulant. This guide does not give health advice, so anyone with a specific concern should check with a professional.
Is a London Fog on the Wicked Cafe menu?
Yes. The recorded menu for Wicked Cafe in Vancouver lists a London Fog, described as Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and vanilla, and the cafe lists soy, almond and oat milk for its milky drinks. It also lists Earl Grey in other items, including its Lemon Earl Grey Cookie and an Organic Tea selection that includes Earl Grey.
No prices are given here because the public listings disagree. The full list of drinks is on the menu page, and the hours and location page explains why opening times should be confirmed before a visit. This guide is independent and does not take orders.
How do you order a London Fog in a cafe?
Ask for a London Fog, then say which milk you want and how sweet you like it. Cafes often use a fixed amount of vanilla syrup, so “less sweet” or “half vanilla” is a reasonable request.
If the cafe does not list the drink, ask for an Earl Grey latte instead: Earl Grey tea topped with steamed milk, plus vanilla if you like it. Any cafe with a steam wand and Earl Grey tea can make it.
Common questions
Does a London Fog have coffee in it?
No. A London Fog is made from Earl Grey tea, steamed milk and vanilla. It has no espresso or coffee, so it suits anyone who wants a warm milky drink in a cafe without the taste of coffee.
Why is it called a London Fog?
The name is usually explained by the pale grey, misty look of the drink and the English associations of Earl Grey tea. The name is a modern cafe invention, not a traditional London recipe.
Is a London Fog the same as an Earl Grey latte?
Yes, in most cafes the two names describe the same drink: Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and a vanilla flavour. Some menus use London Fog only when vanilla is included.
Can I make a London Fog with oat milk?
Yes. Oat, soy and almond milk all steam into foam and work well. Oat milk gives the creamiest result, while almond milk is lighter and lets the bergamot flavour come forward.
Can a London Fog be served iced?
Yes. Brew the tea strong, let it cool, stir in vanilla syrup, pour it over ice and top with cold milk. A frother makes cold foam if you want a similar texture to the hot version.
Everything practical is on the home page: Wicked Cafe hours, menu and directions.
This article is general information from an independent guide, not from Wicked Cafe itself. For the store’s current details see hours and location.