Earl Grey Summer
How to make earl grey syrup, the perfect London Fog, and have an Earl Grey kind of summer.
I am declaring this an Earl Grey Summer. A season of soft mornings, lavender wafting from the countertop, tea brewing in a pot, a deck of cards sprawled out, with quilts and cups of tea nearby. There are very few things I love more than the delight of a foamy London Fog. I enjoy it best on a rainy day, in a wide “for here” coffee cup, with milky bubbles brimming on the surface. But I also like it on a sunny day, made in my kitchen, or honestly, anytime, anywhere. Earl Grey deserves a moment, I think.
The classic London Fog is a comfort often overlooked for the trendier, more punchy café menu items. You don’t often see it as a headliner, but as an afterthought. But even with a limited tea menu, almost every coffee shop has an Earl Grey tea, and therefore, can make you a London Fog.
image source board here
This is my petition to you to try one. If you haven’t before, get ready for a new favorite thing to look forward to. If you have tried it before, it’s about time to bring it back in rotation. And if you are an enthusiast, like me, this whole post will hopefully make you feel very seen. I would additionally like to petition that it is a perfect summer drink. It’s also one of the coolest orders to say out loud…so if you are trying to seem mysterious and tasteful, you can order a London Fog and read your book in the corner, and you’ll probably pull it off.
What is Earl Grey Tea?
A black tea (meaning it does have caffeine) blend with notes of refreshing bergamot. It’s so moody. Dark, brooding black tea leaves juxtapose bright, floral citrus notes.
What is a London Fog?
An Earl Grey tea latte! It is perfectly brewed tea combined with foamy milk. Often, paired with a pump of vanilla syrup. (If you want to steal my exact order — I do a pump of lavender instead of vanilla)
Where did Earl Grey come from?
No one can agree exactly how Earl Grey tea came to be, which is maybe what makes it feel so fictitious. I’ll tell you the most romantic version. A Chinese diplomat gifted the tea to Charles Grey, the then British Prime Minister, in the 1830s as a gesture of gratitude after one of Grey’s men saved his son from drowning. While that is likely more legend than fact, the legend stuck around long enough to root itself in tea tins and drawing rooms for centuries.
We do know that Charles Grey did exist, and the tea that bore his name was unlike anything else being served in England. It wasn’t pure black, it was perfumed. Citrus oil from the rare bergamot fruit, grown mostly in southern Italy, gave it a mysterious, floral edge. This was tea that smelled like perfume and felt like a small luxury. Its popularity soared, especially among the upper class, and eventually every British tea house had its own take. His wife, Mary, was showing it off in her parlor all the time, and soon the elegant ladies of England were after it.
Later research suggests the bergamot may have originally been added to mask the flavor of lower-quality teas (thrifty of them) or simply to suit Lady Grey’s preferences for a lighter, citrusy blend. Whatever the true origin, Earl Grey remains a poetic contradiction.
How to make an Earl Grey Syrup:
To take my love of the Earl Grey flavor to the next level, I made a homemade syrup out of it so I can add the flavor to my lattes and matchas. Welcome to my kitchen!
I made a printable recipe card for you, too!
Where to buy Earl Grey:
I am working on an article all about how to become a loose-leaf tea drinker. In the meantime, I have some recommendations for delicious Earl Grey options.
Dona’s Greyscale: “A blend of whole leaf Assam tea with pure bergamot and lemon oil, accented with blue cornflower.”
Tebella’s Earl Grey Lavender: “Traditional Organic Earl Grey tea infused with organic lavender and jasmine. The subtle floral notes add a hint of sophistication, making this black tea truly unforgettable.”
Harney & Sons’ Earl Grey: “Our popular blend uses tea from India and China, blended with natural oil of bergamot.”
Harney & Sons’ Decaf Earl Grey: “Our Decaf Earl Grey starts with our Decaf Ceylon, to which we add natural oil of bergamot, found in traditional Earl Grey blends.”
How to make my Perfect London Fog:
Recipes to make with Earl Grey:
I searched online for unique dessert recipes, and now I have a baking bucket list. Here are some irresistible ideas I found:
Immerse yourself in Earl Grey:
Earl Grey Butter Balm — Thirsty Cowboy’s super popular butter balm was released in an Earl Grey flavor. I have yet to get my hands on it, but I can’t imagine a better lip balm flavor to carry around this summer.
Thé (Tea) Classic Candle — A luxury candle that is Earl Grey-adjacent scent, with spicy notes of black tea, and a 50-hour burn time.
Vanilla Earl Grey Cookies — A sweet, delicious treat that would pair wildly well with a warm London Fog.
Bed Time Tea Night Cream — I imagine this feels like rubbing a tea latte on your face before bed and I am FOR it!
Earl Grey Tea Ice Cream — Yes, you can have a creamy, cold, delicious Earl Grey ice cream at home. If you are visiting New York soon, find a Van Leeuwen and get an Earl Grey cone in person!
Earl Grey Toothpaste — For the super fan, this would be a really unique luxury gift.
Earl Grey & Cucumber Cologne — If you want to leave a waft of fresh Earl Grey brewing wherever you go, you can get this unisex Earl Grey & Cucumber cologne. It’s the perfect fresh spring/summer scent.
Earl Grey Bitters Home Fragrance — For a home that always smells like fresh Earl Grey, try Apotheke’s Earl Grey bitters collection.
I am wishing you a summer filled with bergamot and black tea! I hope you will try a cup the next time you sit at a coffee shop and unwind.
P.S. Really exciting things coming for Feeling! Magazine. Can’t wait to share more.
XO Jenna O.
MORE INBOX CANDY:
Printable Punch Cards: June's Zine Delivery
Special Delivery! The second edition of the Feeling! Magazine printable zine is here!
Whimsy Dispatch: Cherry vanilla matcha lattes, sweet ginger bowls, and feel-better chicken noodle soup.
What if your home felt less like a to-do list... and more like a creative project?
Sources:
Twinings Tea Company archives
The Story of Tea by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert J. Heiss
Smithsonian Magazine: “The Curious History of Earl Grey Tea” (2012)
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May I leave a recommendation please? Marriage Frères in Paris sell a couple of different types of Earl Grey (Impérial, French Blue) that are top drawer. Brew and serve with buttery shortbread for a real treat.
Earl grey summer here I cooooome! Reading about the history was super interesting. Makes me curious what the story is behind other teas. As always, thanks for sharing your magic!