With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can make your own London Fog Concentrate. This tea concentrate recipe is infused with bergamot and vanilla so you can whip up a London Fog latte in a matter of seconds or use it as a flavour base in other recipes.
What is London Fog Concentrate?
A London Fog is an earl grey tea latte with vanilla. A London Fog Concentrate is a flavourful blend of strongly brewed Earl grey tea and vanilla. So, all you have to do is add milk to the concentrate to create the popular latte!
To create a concentrate you need to use at least double the amount of tea than you normally would. This means anywhere from 2-3 tea bags per cup of water for a very strong brew.
This tea concentrate is designed to be mixed with cold or steamed milk before serving. Since it is a very strong tea, you do not drink the concentrate as is. It is a convenient way to make and enjoy a great tasting London Fog (earl grey tea latte) in just a few seconds.
This tea concentrate is also great unique gift idea. Bottle up some of your homemade London fog concentrate, label it with instructions and gift to a friend or family member so they can enjoy it, too.
How to Use London Fog Concentrate
This homemade tea concentrate can be used for many different recipes!
- Pour over ice for an iced tea or top with steamed milk for a latte
- Add to smoothies for a delicious creamy beverage
- Blend with vanilla ice cream for an earl grey tea milkshake
- Cook grains like oatmeal in the concentrate for extra flavour
- Stir into pancake or waffle batter for an earl grey infused breakfast
- Use it in baking (ie. cakes, scones or cookies)
- Shake it up with alcohol or non-alcoholic options for London fog cocktails or mocktails
Ingredient Notes
- Earl Grey: I recommend using an earl grey black tea that you already love. Here are some of my favourites. This tea concentrate recipe can be made with teabags or loose leaf tea.
- Water: Since this is a black tea, the water will be boiled before steeping.
- Vanilla: A classic London fog latte is a bit more than just earl grey tea. A touch of pure vanilla extract is added for a warm, creamy essence.
- Sugar: If you would prefer to make an unsweetened London fog concentrate then omit this ingredient.
Homemade London Fog Concentrate Recipe
Ingredient measurements and full directions are in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: In a kettle or saucepan on medium-heat, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the earl grey tea, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Remove the tea bags then pour the steeped earl grey tea into a glass bottle or jar. If using loose leaf tea, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the loose leaves.
Step 3: Add vanilla extract and sugar (if using) and stir.
Step 4: Let the tea concentrate cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To use the London Fog Concentrate, begin by mixing equal parts with milk. Add more concentrate if you would like it stronger or more milk if it is too strong. Pour it directly over ice cubes for an iced London fog or heat it first for a hot London fog.
Variations
You can customize this London Fog tea concentrate recipe to suite your taste buds. Here are a few ideas:
- Caffeine-Free: Use a rooibos based earl grey instead of black tea so make it naturally caffeine-free.
- Floral Notes: Add rose petals and/or lavender buds to the tea when steeping.
- Sweeteners: Use other sweeteners like maple syrup or honey instead of granulated sugar. You can also adjust the amount of sweetener to make it sweeter or less sweet.
- Stronger: To increase the strength of this concentrate, use 3 teaspoons of earl grey loose leaf or 3 tea bags per 1 cup. That means steeping 12 tea bags in 4 cups of water.
Storage Instructions
Store this London fog tea concentrate in an airtight container like a glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 1 week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does London Fog concentrate contain caffeine?
Yes, since it is made with an Earl Grey black tea, this concentrate is high in caffeine. If you would like a caffeine-free version, use a Earl Grey rooibos blend. Alternatively, you can use a decaf Earl Grey, however that will still contain a small amount of caffeine.
Why is my tea concentrate bitter?
Bitterness can come from over-steeping the tea. Steep for 5–7 minutes maximum in freshly boiled water. Do not increase the steep time for a stronger concentrate, instead increase the amount of tea leaves or tea bags.
Can I make London Fog concentrate without sweetener?
Yes, you can. Sugar or any other sweetener is optional. If you prefer a less sweet drink or want to add sweetener later, simply omit it when making the concentrate.
London Fog Concentrate
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 8 teaspoons Earl Grey tea loose leaf or 8 Earl grey tea bags
- 4 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons granulated sugar optional
Instructions
- In a kettle or saucepan on medium-heat, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat and add the earl grey tea, cover and steep for 5 minutes.
- Remove the tea bags then pour the steeped earl grey tea into a glass bottle or jar. If using loose leaf tea, pour it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the loose leaves.
- Add vanilla extract and sugar (if using) and stir.
- Let the tea concentrate cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To use the London Fog Concentrate, begin by mixing equal parts with milk. Add more concentrate if you would like it stronger or more milk if it is too strong. Pour it directly over ice cubes for an iced London fog, or heat it first for a hot London fog.