Earl Grey Milk Tea (London Fog) – Easy Creamy Recipe at Home
This post may contain affiliate links.Earl Grey Milk Tea, also known as a London Fog, is a creamy, comforting drink made with fragrant Earl Grey tea, milk, and a touch of sweetness. With its floral bergamot aroma and smooth texture, it’s easy to make at home and perfect for a cozy treat any time of day.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
🏷️ Recipe Name: Earl Grey Milk Tea (London Fog)
⏱️ Ready In: ~ 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 8 glasses
🔥 Calories: 80 kcal (per serving)
🧾 Main Ingredients: Earl grey tea leaves, water, evaporated milk, milk, palm sugar, tapioca pearls, condensed milk.
🥗 Dietary Info: Halal
🧠 Difficulty: Easy, very simple steps.
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This creamy Earl Grey milk tea, also known as a London Fog, feels elegant yet easy to enjoy at home. With its smooth texture and delicate citrus notes, it tastes just like the kind you’d order at a cozy café.
Now, it’s part of my afternoon routine, a warm cup of Earl Grey to help me slow down and reset. If you enjoy milk tea, you might also love rose milk tea, oolong milk tea, or assam milk tea, each with its own unique flavor.
For lighter, dairy-free options, try refreshing drinks like lemongrass pandan tea, butterfly pea flower tea, or ginger lemon drink.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
Earl Grey Tea – Earl Grey tea leaves come in many variations, but the key is the infusion of bergamot. It gives that signature floral aroma and light citrusy note that defines this London Fog–style drink.
Milk – Use whole milk for the creamiest texture in this Earl Grey milk tea, but you can also use oat milk, almond milk, or any plant-based option. The milk softens the bold tea and creates that smooth, comforting finish.
Sweetener (Rock Sugar / Palm Sugar) – Rock sugar gives a clean, gentle sweetness, while palm sugar adds a deeper caramel-like flavor. You can also use honey or simple syrup depending on your preference.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Variations
You can easily customize this Earl Grey milk tea with these simple variations:
Vanilla (London Fog style) – Add a splash of vanilla extract for a warm, aromatic twist that turns this into a classic London Fog.
Tapioca Pearls (Boba Version) – Add cooked tapioca pearls for a fun, chewy texture. This creates a bubble tea–style version, perfect if you want something more indulgent.
Evaporated Milk (Richer Version) – Swap regular milk with evaporated milk for a creamier, more intense flavor. This gives the drink a slightly richer, café-style taste similar to Hong Kong milk tea.
Condensed Milk (Sweeter, Creamier Version) – Swap the sugar and part of the milk with sweetened condensed milk for a richer, creamier drink with a caramel-like sweetness.
How to Make Earl Grey Milk Tea
STEP 1. Bring 1 litre of water to a boil, then add the Earl Grey tea leaves. Simmer for about 3 minutes (Image 1), then cover and let the tea steep for another 5 minutes (Image 2). Strain the tea into a pitcher or bowl (Images 3, 4).
STEP 2. While the tea is still warm, stir in the palm sugar until dissolved (Image 5). Add the evaporated milk and fresh milk, then mix well until smooth and creamy (Images 6, 7). For a sweeter, richer version, you can also stir in a little condensed milk (Image 8).
STEP 3. Serve the Earl Grey milk tea warm, or let it cool and pour over ice for an iced version. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
Optional Add-ins
STEP 4. Optional boba version. If you’d like a bubble tea-style twist, cook the tapioca pearls separately until soft and chewy (Images 9, 10). Add some pearls to the bottom of your glass (Image 11), then pour in the Earl Grey milk tea (Image 12). For more details, see my full guide on how to cook tapioca pearls.
Pro Tips
- Brew the tea strong – Use slightly more tea leaves or steep a little longer to balance the creaminess of the milk. A weak brew can taste flat once milk is added.
- Don’t over-steep – While strong tea is key, steeping too long can make it bitter. Aim for a bold but smooth flavor.
- Froth for café-style texture – For that signature London Fog feel, froth the milk before adding. It creates a light, creamy foam on top.
- Adjust sweetness to taste – Start with less sugar or condensed milk, then add more if needed. The flavor should be smooth, not overly sweet.
- Serve fresh for best flavor – This drink tastes best freshly made. If storing, keep the tea and any add-ins separate to maintain texture and balance.
- Customize your milk – Use fresh milk for a lighter taste, or evaporated milk for a richer, more classic café-style version.
Serving Suggestions
This creamy Earl Grey milk tea pairs beautifully with light, buttery treats or simple Asian desserts. Enjoy it warm in the morning with delicate cookies like custard cookies or classic lidah kucing (cat tongue cookies), which complement the tea’s floral notes without overpowering it.
For afternoon tea, serve it alongside soft bakes like banana almond soft cookies or chewy ube crinkle cookies. The smooth, creamy tea helps balance the sweetness of these treats perfectly.
If you’re in the mood for something more traditional, this drink also pairs well with Asian desserts like mango sticky rice or candil ubi (biji salak). The rich, coconut-based flavors contrast nicely with the light citrusy notes of Earl Grey.
Enjoy cozy drink pairings like this? You might also love exploring more of my Asian drink recipes or this Korean strawberry milk.
Earl Grey Milk Tea FAQs
A London Fog is a creamy Earl Grey tea drink made with milk and a touch of sweetness, often flavored with vanilla. It has a smooth, slightly floral taste from the bergamot in Earl Grey tea and is commonly served warm, though iced versions are also popular.
Earl Grey tea stands out because of its bergamot flavor, a citrus fruit that gives the tea its floral and slightly sweet aroma. This fragrant blend is what makes drinks like this London Fog recipe so calming and distinctive compared to regular black tea.
Absolutely! You can use soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk to make a vegan version. Oat milk gives a naturally creamy texture, while soy milk creates a smooth, balanced flavor that pairs well with Earl Grey’s aroma.
You can store Earl Grey milk tea in the fridge for up to 2 days in a sealed bottle. If you’re adding any optional toppings like tapioca pearls, it’s best to store them separately and enjoy them the same day.
Yes, you can make Earl Grey milk tea without condensed milk. Simply use regular milk and adjust the sweetness with sugar or honey to your taste. Condensed milk adds extra richness, but it’s completely optional.
Yes, Earl Grey milk tea contains caffeine since it is made from black tea. However, the caffeine level is lower than coffee, making it a great option for a gentle energy boost.
Absolutely! Earl Grey milk tea can be served hot or iced. For an iced version, let the tea cool first, then pour it over ice for a refreshing drink, especially on warm days.
Storage
Earl Grey milk tea is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store it in a sealed bottle in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving, as the milk may naturally separate over time.
If you’re adding tapioca pearls, it’s best to enjoy them on the same day. They’re at their chewiest and most delicious when freshly cooked. Storing them overnight can make them hard and lose their signature bouncy texture.
For best results, store the milk tea and pearls separately, and combine them just before serving.
Earl Grey Milk Tea (London Fog)
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp earl grey tea
- 1 litre water
- 250 gr evaporated milk
- 250 gr milk
- 1 tbsp palm sugar your preference
- 1 tbsp condensed milk
Optional Add-ins
- 1 tbsp tapioca pearls cooked
Instructions
- Bring 1 litre of water to a boil, then add the Earl Grey tea leaves. Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cover and let the tea steep for another 5 minutes. Strain the tea into a pitcher or bowl.
- While the tea is still warm, stir in the palm sugar until dissolved. Add the evaporated milk and fresh milk, then mix well until smooth and creamy. For a sweeter, richer version, you can also stir in a little condensed milk.
- Serve the Earl Grey milk tea warm, or let it cool and pour over ice for an iced version. Taste and adjust the sweetness if needed.
Optional Add-ins
- If you’d like a bubble tea-style twist, cook the tapioca pearls separately until soft and chewy. Add some pearls to the bottom of your glass, then pour in the Earl Grey milk tea.
Video
Notes
- Brew the tea strong – Use slightly more tea leaves or steep a little longer to balance the creaminess of the milk. A weak brew can taste flat once milk is added.
- Don’t over-steep – While strong tea is key, steeping too long can make it bitter. Aim for a bold but smooth flavor.
- Froth for café-style texture – For that signature London Fog feel, froth the milk before adding. It creates a light, creamy foam on top.
- Adjust sweetness to taste – Start with less sugar or condensed milk, then add more if needed. The flavor should be smooth, not overly sweet.
- Serve fresh for best flavor – This drink tastes best freshly made. If storing, keep the tea and any add-ins separate to maintain texture and balance.
- Customize your milk – Use fresh milk for a lighter taste, or evaporated milk for a richer, more classic café-style version.
This is a very easy and quick recipe to make earl grey milk tea at home. You will love the flavor. It is not too sweet and with tapioca pearls or boba, this tea will be your lovely drink!