Melike’s Lavender London Fog Latte

The cozy afternoon drink that reminds me to slow down.

Recipe #20 of My 100 Recipe Project

As much as I love coffee, I’ve always been more of a tea drinker.

The caffeine feels steadier to me somehow. Calmer, softer, less likely to send me into that slightly jittery “why did I do this to myself?” feeling a few hours later.

But I still love the ritual of a latte.

The warmth. The frothy milk. The feeling of taking a pause in the middle of the day.

For a long time, I experimented with trying to recreate that same comforting café feeling using tea instead of espresso, which is how I originally started making lavender London Fogs at home.

Then recently, while visiting family in Washington, D.C., while visiting Melike's work, I ordered a London Fog at the café, and it reminded me how much I love them.

There’s something about the combination of black tea, vanilla, lavender, and steamed milk that feels both cozy and slightly elevated at the same time.

Like the kind of drink you make when you want the afternoon to slow down a little.

Why This Lavender London Fog Latte Works

A London Fog is traditionally made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup.

This version adds culinary lavender, which gives it a subtle floral note without tasting overly sweet or perfumey.

The result feels:

• creamy,

• calming,

• lightly floral,

• and comforting without being heavy.

Perfect for slow afternoons, reading, rainy mornings, or replacing that second coffee.

Ingredients

• 1 Earl Grey tea bag

• ¾ cup hot water

• ¾ cup milk of choice

• 1 tsp dried culinary lavender

• 1–2 tsp honey or maple syrup

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Brew the Tea

Steep the Earl Grey tea bag in hot water for about 4–5 minutes.

2. Infuse the Milk

In a small saucepan, gently heat the milk with the dried lavender until hot but not boiling.

Let steep for a few minutes.

Strain out the lavender buds.

3. Froth

Add vanilla and honey or maple syrup to the milk mixture (optional).

Using a milk frother (or carefully whisking by hand), froth the milk until light and creamy.

4. Assemble

Pour the brewed tea into a mug and top with the lavender milk.

Optional: sprinkle with a tiny pinch of lavender.

Notes

• Oat milk works especially well in a lavender london fog latte.

• You can make lavender honey ahead of time for an even deeper flavor.

• If you prefer less floral flavor, reduce the lavender slightly.

Some recipes feel tied to big moments.

Others are simply small rituals that make ordinary afternoons feel a little softer.

This one is definitely the second kind. I love to drink this in my porch rocking chairs while I wait for Kai and Case to get home on the bus. Recipe #20 of My 100 Recipe Project. From my Franklin Kitchen, Alexis