The Art of Afternoon Tea & My London Fog Latte Recipe

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour devoted to the ceremony known as afternoon tea’

-H.J.

There is something so lovely about afternoon tea, to stop what you are doing, get the kettle boiling and sip on some yummy and rejuvenating tea. It’s a little moment to relax as your hands hug the warm cup. On your own or with a friend, it gives you that motivation to finish out the day with a little pep in your step. I don’t always have the time to have a nice afternoon tea, but when I do it’s definitely something I really enjoy. Especially during the cold dark winter days, anything that brings a little extra coziness is always much appreciated. I am a coffee girl in the morning, but come afternoon if I am feeling like a warm drink I gravitate towards chai tea or earl grey tea. One of the ways I like to enjoy earl grey is in a ‘London Fog Latte’. I learned how to make these many a year ago when I worked at Starbucks and it’s been a favourite treat ever since. I made my own lavender earl grey tea blend this winter with the perfect London Fog in mind, and it did not disappoint.

All I did was mix a good loose leaf earl grey tea, with some dried lavender and voila, an aromatic tea to warm the heart and soul. I put the tea in tins, made some labels and have been giving them away as little gifts here and there. I especially love using this blend to make a yummy London Fog. This is how I make them at home, a bit different then the traditional way, but fast, and always delicious!

Lavender London Fog Latte:

Ingredients

-Your favourite Earl Grey tea (I use my lavender earl blend)

-Boiled water

-Heated milk of choice (I typically use unsweetened Cashew milk, because I always have it on hand)

-A splash of vanilla

-Sugar, honey or maple syrup to sweeten

Start by boiling your kettle, fill up a large mug about half way with hot water and steep your tea bag for about 5 minutes. You’ll want it to be well steeped as you add a bit more milk then you do with a regular tea. While it’s steeping, heat up some milk (1 minute in the microwave usually does the trick!) but you could also heat it on the stove top too if you don’t like microwaves ;). After your tea is finished steeping add in your vanilla and sugar or sugar substitute of choice (or no sweetness at all), and give it a little stir. If I am feeling really fancy I use my little milk frother to foam up the milk before I add it, then I pour it over top of the tea until it reaches the top of the mug. I eye ball all of these ingredients, and don’t really measure anything, but just decide when I am making it how sweet or milky I’d like it to be on that day. The creamy froth really pairs well with the earl grey and the lavender and vanilla gives it that little extra something special. Grab a book and settle into a comfy chair with a blanket and your good to go with your relaxing latte treat!

Wether your are a stay at home Mom, working Mom, or both, we Mama’s tend to always be on the ‘go’. Even on a home day we are always doing something, prepping a meal, folding laundry, referee’ing the kids fights. Our jobs are really never fully done, so I want to encourage you in all of your beautiful chaos to take the time a few days a week for afternoon tea. It doesn’t have to be in a fancy cup, any mug will do. It doesn’t need to include homemade scones (though that would be devine!) it doesn’t even need to be quiet in the house (noise is always happening around here) It can be on your own or with a friend, just 10 minutes with your cup of tea will be such a good time to refresh and pause during these busy days with our kids. Fill up your cup, so you can keep filling others cups! (literally AND figuratively!) :)

stay cozy,

Shelley