Christmas is just around the corner, and we are all a little busier than usual trying to create magic for the people we love. It becomes important to carve out moments where we can enjoy the spirit of what we are trying to give: the warmth, the presence, the love.
Whether in solitude or in the company of others, we can all benefit from slowing down and noticing the beauty in the snowstorm, a gift, as it were, to ourselves.
For me, the quiet comfort and joy of the holidays comes in preparing and my favourite holiday drink, and finding the time to fully indulge in its decadence.
The London Fog originated in Vancouver, and its popularity, once confined to the West Coast, where I grew up, is now spreading far beyond its birthplace. Its main components are earl grey tea (black tea and bergamot), vanilla and steamed milk. After that, you can play around with the type of milk, the sweetness and the addition of other herbs (like lavender). To me, the perfume of bergamot, the sweetness of vanilla and those perfect clouds of frothed milk make London Fogs the quintessential Wet Coast winter drink!
My version of the beloved West Coast drink uses a combination of full-fat coconut milk and almond milk.
The coconut milk provides enough richness to obviate the need for additional sweeteners, although if I did feel like indulging a sweet tooth, I would probably add a tad of maple syrup.
This is what I’ll be drinking on Christmas morning — and at any other point during the holidays when I want to enjoy being instead of getting carried away by all the doing.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Joëlle
The perfume of bergamot, the sweetness of vanilla and those perfect clouds of frothed milk make London Fogs the quintessential West Coast winter drink, and the perfect way to warm up and wind down during the holidays. Put on some calm music, crack open a good book and cozy up by the fireplace.
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Ingredients
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (full fat)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Freshly grated nutmeg (optional)
Instructions
- Boil water and steep earl grey for 3 minutes in a mug
- While the tea is steeping, warm up coconut milk, almond milk and vanilla until hot, but not boiling.
- Froth milk with a milk frother (or a blender), and pour over the tea.
- Grate a bit of nutmeg over the frothed milk (optional)
- Put on some calm music, crack open a good book and relax (not optional!)
