07 February, 2014

Friday Favourites - The London Fog


I LOVE tea. Really love tea. Especially Earl Grey.

My tea ritual starts before I go to bed. I make sure the tea pot is rinsed out and the kettle full. That way all I have to do is hit the button on my electric kettle as soon as I get out of bed. While the kettle boils I usually check Instagram for the overnight feed and try not to munch on any cookies that might be leftover from the previous day's baking. When my tea is ready I settle in to catch up on the world and start my day's work on the computer. If I have writing to do I like to jump right in. Otherwise I sip and browse the world from my laptop.

All of this, implies that I am getting a quiet, lonely start to the morning. If I sleep in or have to get up and do things with the kids right away I do not make my tea. I love the ritual almost more than the caffeine so I wait. And if that moment never comes I do the next best thing at some point in the afternoon - I make a London Fog.

I discovered London Fogs years ago at some random coffee shop. Seeing as I don't drink coffee I am always aware of my other options. When the barista suggested a London Fog after I hesitated on the default hot chocolate, I nearly turned him down. But then he used the words vanilla and Earl Grey in the same sentence. And done.

That being said, I don't often order them when I'm out. The vast majority of places - chain or independent - make a London Fog with vanilla syrup. This results in a drink that is too sweet for my liking. Instead, I save my London Fogs for afternoons spent stitching or painting with the kids. For the random moments I get alone in the winter sun. For my leftover Earl Grey (sacrilege, I know).

Cheryl's London Fog

Equal parts Earl Grey and Milk
Vanilla Extract
Honey

Heat together the tea and milk. If you are using fresh tea, brew it like you want to drink it and combine with hot - never cold - milk. (I do not have a microwave, so I simply heat mine on the stovetop.)

For every cup you make add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of honey.

Sip and Enjoy.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'll have to try this, some of my kids love tea as well and it sounds like this would be a huge hit with them as well! I have been loving the blog posts you have been doing. A great mix. Thanks for all the enjoyable reads. Kimberly

elle said...

I'm sending this to Laura, she's the tea drinker!

Anonymous said...

I had a very expensive Sbucks London Fog habit for quite a while. Now I cheat, and in what I am sure is a foodie's nightmare, I use vanilla coffee mate in my earl gray tea. It's easier to keep the coffee mate in the work fridge than it is to find a place to store the syrup at my desk, and it also means I don't have to worry about having milk around...

Tina said...

Mmmh, that sounds lovely! I''m a tea-only-drinker too, and me too, I find it difficult to find something appropriate to drink, when having a break away from home, because I love my loose leaf teas.

Hannlib said...

Huh, that sounds nice. I might try that!

Unknown said...

Mmm, will try this. I also love Lady Grey and Chai, although I have the same problem when I order out, too sweet so I usually make it at home. Enjoy, Wendy

Michele T said...

This is how I like my London Fog too but I skip the honey (I'm sweet enough) and add a few drops of lemon... yum!!

LOTJE said...

Early grey or Afternoon London Fog, I really love the new option here!

Suzanne said...

I too prepare for my holy moment over a steaming cup and in the silence of my home. Oh, what a difference it makes in my mood for the day.

Elsa said...

London Fog tea sounds so yummy!
I make what i like to call a dessert tea ~ it's Yerba Mate with a few drops of liquid stevia, boiled almond milk and vanilla extract. You could use honey and milk too!

Sarah said...

When I'm out I usually ask for half the amount of syrup in whatever coffee drink I'm having. It's much better and less sicky-sweet. I'm sure you could do the same for tea!

elizabeth said...

this sounds Delicious and I think it is how my mom used to make our tea--i have never been able to replicate--so thank you for this!! :)

Sewing In CT said...

I love a good cup of Earl Grey. I have been drinking Harney's Indian Spice for quite awhile and now I have something new to try. Maybe tomorrow morning! Thank you.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Yum. I'm an Earl Grey girl like many here. Recently tried French Vanilla creamer and it was ok but a bit too sweet. Will give your recipe a try today.

puzzled a lot said...

tried this today am drinking a cup as I type. delicious.

Andrea said...

this is similar to how my indian friend makes chai tea. she takes the tea bags (tea india) and puts them in a pot of milk and sugar and then simmers it all up till it's rich and frothy.

Valerie said...

Do you have David's Tea out there? They make a loose leaf 'Cream of Earl Grey', it's so perfect for making London Fogs.

http://www.davidstea.com/organic-cream-of-earl-grey?&TF=9D4F560478B9&DEID=

Annie Crow said...

I'm so glad you posted this, I used to make this for myself back in college and forgot about it completely - I've starting drinking it again and it is heavenly! And a nice treat for when I want something sweet and milky but not as intense as hot chocolate (which is my usual go-to).

Gramma Quilter said...

Yummm! Have been trying to eliminate coffee (somewhat!). This sounds good.

Sigrun said...

Oh, I just tried this - so delicious! Thanks!