Soothing Lavender London Fog Recipe

Do you grow lavender? Do you drink your lavender? If you aren’t growing lavender, there is probably a lavender farm near you!

To make this incredibly satisfying drink, it’s wonderful to have your own garden lavender, however, all the wonderful lavender farms sell dried lavender that you can easily purchase and use.

“This soothing beverage is perfect for unwinding after a busy day or taking a moment to mellow out.”

I remember when I first started studying herbal medicine in the 1980’s. I was part of a collective of massage therapists, The Berkeley Massage and Self-Healing Center, established in 1969! What a wonderful time that was. A group of healers with a beautiful Victorian building to see our clients in and we had claw foot bathtubs with wonderful salt soaks for them to enjoy. It was at the very beginning of my massage and herbal studies and I was the youngest one in the collective. What a gift it was for me to be around so many healers, learning and collaborating with them.

This is where I taught my very first herb class in 1988, to the other massage therapists and clients that wanted to make herbal infused oils!

Anyway, our center also had a kitchen so we could take care of ourselves while doing healing work with our clients. One evening, one of the massage therapists came out with a pot of lavender tea! I had been taking herb classes for about 3 years by then and NOBODY had talked about DRINKING lavender. I was smitten. To this day, I love putting lavender in my teas and so this recipe is a super fun and delicious way to drink more lavender!

Imagine sitting in a garden, enjoying the relaxing scent of lavender. Or maybe you get your lavender fix from a big bouquet of dried lavender on your kitchen table, or you may even have tuned into the healing power of lavender hearts.

Now, let’s put that lavender calm and why you have lavender in your life, into a refreshing drink. That’s what this Lavender London Fog recipe is all about. This soothing beverage is perfect for unwinding after a busy day or taking a moment to mellow out. What I love about this recipe is that it’s a fun take on an old favorite—the London Fog.

What is a London Fog?

A London Fog is a popular tea-based drink traditionally made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and a hint of vanilla syrup. The distinctive flavor of Earl Grey, with its bergamot notes, combined with creamy milk and sweet vanilla, creates a comforting and aromatic latte. Perfect for when you need a warm hug in a mug, the London Fog has become a favorite in coffee shops and at home.

Now, I’m taking that classic and giving it a refreshing twist with my Lavender Fog.

Ingredients for a Healthy Lavender London Fog Recipe

According to the Environmental Working Group, there’s been a rise in artificial lavender flavors and colors in the marketplace. Many coffee places, including Starbucks, are promoting lavender drinks that may contain little or no natural lavender. Be on the lookout when shopping for lavender-flavored or scented products, as they mostly contain synthetic chemicals instead of the herb itself.

In fact, Starbucks’s Venti Iced London Fog Latte contains six pumps of vanilla syrup (yikes!), and its lavender powder uses natural flavors and food dyes instead of real lavender.

Instead of taking a chance on potentially toxic imitations of lavender drinks at popular cafes, you can make a healthy version at home using simple ingredients. In my recipe, the drink gets an herbal twist by replacing the vanilla with lavender.

Here are some of the benefits you can enjoy from my Lavender London Fog recipe:

• Earl Grey Tea: Earl Grey tea is a black tea flavored with the oil of bergamot orange. It’s rich in antioxidants and may help soothe stress and support heart health. (You can also find decaf Earl Gray if you drink this later in the day!)
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender is known for its soothing properties, perfect for calming the nerves and promoting relaxation. It’s a natural way to unwind and can also help improve sleep quality.
• Coconut Sugar: Coconut sugar is a healthier alternative to white sugar, as it has a lower glycemic index, which means it won’t spike your blood sugar levels as quickly. It also contains over 100 different compounds—such as vitamins E and C, zinc, iron, and potassium—adding some nutritional value to your drink. I like to use coconut sugar instead of honey in this recipe because, as my Ayurvedic students know, it’s best not to overheat honey, which can damage its beneficial properties.

Iced Lavender London Fog Recipe

This recipe features all the flavors of Earl Grey tea with a subtle hint of lavender, perfect for a refreshing and relaxing treat to sip on. The lavender in this recipe is more nuanced than what you’ll find in many store-bought drinks since it’s not loaded with concentrated, artificial flavor syrup. You can adjust the coconut sugar to taste in this recipe.

Please note: I teach my Ayurveda students to avoid ice in their beverages so they don’t quelch their digestive fire. With that in mind, you can certainly skip the ice and serve this lovely lavender latte at room temperature (or warm!).

Print Recipe

Iced Lavender London Fog Recipe

Author: Kami McBride

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp loose-leaf Earl Grey tea, decaf optional (or 2 tea bags)
• 1 1/2 tbsp coconut sugar
• 1 cup milk of your choice, plus ½ cup for cold foam (optional)
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp dried lavender flower buds (or 2 tbsp fresh lavender flower buds)

Instructions

• Combine the Earl Gray tea, coconut sugar, water, and 1 cup milk in a small saucepan. 
• Bring to a simmer, then remove from heat.
• Add the lavender flower buds, cover, and infuse 10 minutes.
• Strain through a fine mesh sieve, then cool to room temperature. 
• Add a few herbal ice cubes to the bottom of a glass, then add your cooled Earl Gray and lavender milk. Stir gently to combine.
• To make a cold foam, use a blender or milk frother to whisk rapidly until foam forms (about 1 minute).
• Top with the foam, then garnish with a sprig or two of lavender. 

Relaxation Never Tasted So Good

I hope you enjoy making and sipping on your Iced Lavender Fog as much as I do! It’s the perfect blend of refreshing and calming, making it an ideal treat whenever you need a little pick-me-up or a moment of tranquility. Plus, it’s always fun to impress friends with something different and extra special when you have company. Grab your favorite glass, a cozy spot, and let the flavors of lavender and Earl Grey work their magic. Cheers!

Let me know if you try this recipe, I would love to hear what you think!

Check Out These Other Resources

Excited about trying more recipes like this? Dive into the My Herbal Kitchen online course with me and discover the power of medicinal meals!

And while you’re at it, check out my other blog posts for more ideas and inspiration to elevate your culinary adventures at home:

Soothing Moon Milk Recipe for Your Bedtime Routine
Summer Herbal Iced Tea with Orange and Mint
7 Cooling Herbal Drinks for Summer