Starbucks New Tea Lattes:London Fog
January 4, 2009 by Marye Audet
Filed under Tea
Oddly enough after I wrote the post yesterday I got two coupons in the mail for free Starbuck’s Tea Lattes. And, in an even bigger, more strange turn of events a friend called after church today and asked if I would like to meet her at Starbucks for coffee.
It was thus ordained in the Heavenlies that I try the new tea lattes.
So I walk in to Starbucks and notice immediately that one half of the store is empty and looks like it is under construction…and part of the exterior wall was gone. This for a store that is supposedly “closing soon”. (I know, right? Get over it Marye)
I called over to the barista:
“So, did you get mad at one of the customers?”
It seems that a drunk, early New Years morning decided to drive through…only he drove through the front of the store.
That, as you may have guessed has nothing what-so-ever to do with the tea lattes. I was just being entertaining.
So, I ordered a tall caramel macchiato in a venti “for here” cup and asked them to give me tons of extra whipped cream. Don;t knock it until you have tried it. And I ordered a London Fog…basically a tea latte based on an Earl Grey Lavender tea.
I ordered both so I could save steps in case I didn’t like the London Fog. My recipe for London Fog is here, by the way. Just scroll down to the end.
Surprisingly I did like it. It is a gentle drink, with a delicate flavor, texture, and aroma. I believe it is made with 2% milk, it certainly wasn’t full fat…and it wasn’t sweet.
It would be a nice addition to a rainy afternoon when you felt a little bluesy and needed a pick me up. Just remember that the key word is delicate, there is nothing overpowering about this drink.
I liked it and I think if you like a good Earl Grey you will too. The lavender is a little too delicate for me, I would have preferred a little more lavender in the mix. I would suggest trying it with a shot of vanilla syrup if you like something a little sweeter.
All in all I think they have a winner with this one.
I also tried a sample of the berry chai…and I will tell you about that…tomorrow. Sorry.
The only thing is…sigh..I didn’t have my camera with me. And my barista made it so pretty.
image:marye audet
Marye , if you want to see a beautiful coffee …an iced caramel machiatto is a work of art.
really? Hmmm…
AM enjoying a London Fog Latte…it does have Vanilla Syrup- yours should have too…here is
Starbucks official description:
Full leaf black tea with citrusy Italian Bergamot and a hint of lavender. Sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with steamed milk and velvety foam.
I agree with you about the Lavender. Since it just a brewed tea, I don’t know how they could do this…maybe a lavender syrup?
Maybe I needed more vanilla…
The lavender syrup would work! Monin makes a great one.
It’s a shame it took over saturation of the coffee market for tea to come into its own, but it’s a tea totallers dream.
I’ve had tea with milk, but never a “tea latte.” I guess they are similar?
true Clara!
Peggy, yep. Except there is steamed milk on the top.
Lavender syrup? You’re kidding?!? Way too strong. You’d add more lavender flowers or leaves to the mix.
Patricia,
I disagree. Adding lavender syrup would be my first thought. But then, I could drink the stuff..I love it.
I used to go to this tea house that had a woooonderful early grey with lavender. They called it “enchanted earl” so Im not sure what else it had going on, but it was awesome.
The London Fog isnt quite up to par (course Im not sitting in a cozy nook with the full pot in front of me and a plate of savories and sweets) but I am pretty happy with it.
it was also made by the curley headed “new” barista. My co-workers claim he makes a pretty crummy coffee drink. Boo on them, this was a total *swish*!