Lavender-Orange Earl Grey Latte

Treat yourself a delicious Earl Grey, lavender and orange latte at home in about 7 minutes, including steeping time. It’s lush tasting yet calorie-wise, and it is pleasingly foamy on top. (No fancy frother is needed, btw.) My recipe is inspired by Starbucks London Fog Latte. I love it not only for the unique, addictive flavor but because I can save myself lots of dollars and trips!

Tip: Be sure to use low-fat milk called for—full fat doesn’t foam up as well. For a vegan version you can sub unsweetened almond milk for the milk. However, it won’t foam much or stay frothy more than a minute or two.

2/3 cup warm water
1 1/2 tablespoons orange marmalade, sweet or Seville-style
2 regular or decaffeinated Earl Grey tea bags
1 teaspoon dried culinary lavender buds
1 thin, quarter-size slice fresh gingerroot, optional
1 cup 1- or 2- percent fat milk
Sugar or calorie-free sweetener to taste, optional

In a 2-cup microwave-safe glass measure or similar size deep bowl, stir together the water and marmalade until well blended. Add the lavender buds, ginger root (if using) and tea bags. Microwave on full power for 1 minute 30 seconds. Watching carefully, continue microwaving on high power until the mixture just begins to bubble and boil up the sides of the measure, usually in 30 to 40 seconds. Immediately turn off the microwave; to prevent any chance of a boil-over let measure stand in the microwave to cool and steep for 5 or 6 minutes. Microwave 1 minute longer to reheat.

Put the milk in a 1-quart glass canning jar, tightly screwing on the lid. Shake the jar back and forth vigorously for about 1 minute until the milk foams up and fills the jar half to two-thirds full. Remove the lid. Put the jar in the microwave and microwave on high power for 3 to 4 minutes until the foam starts to rise up the sides of the jar; watch carefully after 3 minutes and immediately stop the microware to avoid any boil-over.

Strain the tea mixture through a fine sieve into a large mug, pressing down on the tea bags to force through as much liquid as possible. Pour the foamed milk into the mug; serve immediately, garnished with a lavender sprig and orange slice if desired. Stir in a little sweetening to taste, and enjoy!