How to Make Black Tea Drinks — London Fog, Salty Cream Black Tea, and Black Tea Gelato

What you need

• French press
• espresso machine with steam wand (optional — a handheld milk frother works instead)
• handheld milk frother
• serving glasses

Method

1. Add black tea leaves to the French press and pour in hot water

   The French press is noted as a convenient multi-use tool — the same device can brew coffee, make milk foam, and now brew tea

2. Allow the tea to steep, then press the plunger down to separate the leaves from the liquid

   No steep time is specified; steep to your preferred strength and adjust in future batches

3. For London Fog: steam milk using an espresso machine steam wand, or warm the milk and froth it with a handheld milk frother

   Either method produces the steamed or frothed milk needed for layering

   Expert tipThe drink is named for its milk foam, which is said to resemble London fog

4. For London Fog: add vanilla syrup — or substitute honey, sugar syrup, or plain sugar — then pour the steamed milk into a glass, followed by the brewed black tea poured gently on top so the layers remain separated

   The finished drink has three distinct layers: milk on the bottom, black tea in the middle, and milk foam on top

5. For Salty Cream Black Tea: add sugar (or a syrup of your choice) to the brewed black tea to sweeten it, pour over ice, then spoon or pour salted cream on top

   Salted cream is most commonly paired with strong coffee, but the creator finds it pairs equally well with black tea, producing a sweet-and-salty contrast

6. For Black Tea Gelato: pour the brewed black tea over ice without adding any sweetener, then place a scoop of gelato on top; eat by scooping tea and gelato together with a spoon so the flavors blend

   Gelato is preferred over standard vanilla ice cream because its lower butterfat content gives a cleaner finish alongside the tea; the gelato's own sweetness makes added sugar unnecessary, though those who prefer a sweeter drink may stir sugar into the hot tea before chilling it

   Expert tipFor a bolder version, brew the tea extra strong and pour it over gelato or ice cream affogato-style

Why this works

Brewing tea in a French press traps the leaves cleanly and removes them in one motion, making it as practical as a dedicated tea infuser. Pouring brewed tea over milk in the London Fog exploits the density difference between the two liquids, creating stable visual layers without any special technique. Salted cream — borrowed from coffee bar menus — introduces a contrasting savory note that amplifies sweetness and gives the drink its identity. Withholding added sugar from the gelato version keeps the tea character prominent; the melting gelato supplies sweetness progressively, so the flavor shifts from clean and bright at first sip to creamy and mellow at the bottom.

Where beginners go wrong

1. 1

   Layers collapse immediately in the London Fog

   Pour the brewed tea very slowly over the back of a spoon held just above the milk surface to reduce the force of the pour and preserve the density difference between layers

2. 2

   Salted cream sinks too far into the Salty Cream Black Tea

   The cream will descend over time; serve promptly after assembling, or whip the cream slightly thicker so it holds its position longer at the surface

3. 3

   Black Tea Gelato tastes flat or too plain

   The gelato provides sweetness as it melts, but if the tea reads as too astringent on its own, stir a small amount of sugar into the tea while it is still hot before chilling

4. 4

   No espresso machine available for steaming milk

   Warm the milk on the stovetop or in a microwave until hot but not boiling, then froth vigorously with a handheld milk frother until foam forms — the result is suitable for the London Fog

What you should taste

London Fog: gently sweet with a delicate tea aroma and a soft, creamy foam. Salty Cream Black Tea: a sweet-and-salty interplay where the brined cream cuts through the sweetened tea and lets the tea fragrance linger. Black Tea Gelato: clean and lightly sweet, with the smooth gelato melting gradually into the tea for a refreshing, unfussy finish.

FAQ