Earl Grey Milk Tea captures the bergamot-forward notes of Earl Grey without any animal ingredients. Made with a cold-brewed tea base and lightly sweetened with brown sugar syrup, this iced milk tea is refreshing and ideal for warm days.
Pair it with a light pastry for breakfast—this Italian Paradise Sponge Cake is a delicate treat to enjoy with your tea.
What is Earl Grey Milk Tea?
Earl Grey Milk Tea is an iced tea drink made from Earl Grey, milk (plant-based in this recipe), and a sweetener such as brown sugar syrup. Some versions include tapioca pearls, but this dairy-free interpretation focuses on a clean, aromatic tea flavor with a creamy texture and less sweetness than many store-bought options.
After experimenting with ratios and techniques, this version delivers:
- Pronounced Earl Grey aroma and flavor
- A drink that doesn’t taste diluted as the ice melts
- A creamy mouthfeel without dairy
- An affordable alternative to shop-bought milk tea
Ingredients and Substitutions
Earl Grey Tea. Use either tea bags or loose-leaf Earl Grey for the cold brew and ice cubes.
Milk. Almond milk (vanilla-flavored, unsweetened) is recommended for its light, neutral profile. Cashew milk is a good substitute. Oat milk alters the flavor somewhat, and coconut milk can overpower the bergamot—use those only if you prefer their notes.
Ice cubes. Freezing brewed Earl Grey into ice cubes prevents dilution and keeps the tea flavor consistent as the drink chills.
Brown Sugar Syrup. You can use store-bought syrup or make your own. Its caramel-like depth pairs especially well with the citrusy bergamot of Earl Grey.
Yes. To make Earl Grey Boba Milk Tea, add cooked tapioca pearls. For extra flavor, soak the cooked pearls in brown sugar syrup for about 30 minutes before combining with the drink.
Cold Brew Milk Tea
Cold brewing yields a smoother, less bitter tea that blends nicely with plant milk. To cold brew:
- Use a lidded jar that holds at least 2 cups
- Add 2 Earl Grey tea bags (or 2 tablespoons loose leaf) to 2 cups of almond milk
- Seal and refrigerate for 12–16 hours
When ready, remove the tea bags or strain out loose leaves. The cold-brewed milk tea is now ready to chill with tea ice cubes and syrup.
Tea Ice Cubes
Using ice cubes made from brewed tea keeps every sip flavorful. To prepare tea ice cubes:
- Pour 1 cup of hot water over 1 Earl Grey tea bag (or 1 tablespoon loose tea)
- Steep, cool, then pour into an ice cube tray
- Freeze until solid
How to Make It
This recipe yields two tall glasses.
- Add about six Earl Grey tea ice cubes to each glass (or fill roughly two-thirds of each glass).
- Pour the cold-brewed almond milk tea over the ice, dividing it evenly.
- Add 1½ tablespoons brown sugar syrup to each glass and stir until combined.
- Serve immediately. For extra richness, top with Earl Grey whipped cream.
Storing
For best flavor, drink fresh. Store leftover cold brew milk tea in the refrigerator for 2–4 days; flavor gradually diminishes after that.
More Milk Tea Recipes
Explore other variations such as Iced London Fog and Brown Sugar Milk Tea for different flavor profiles.
If you tried this Earl Grey Milk Tea, please leave a star rating and share your thoughts in the comments below!
📖 Recipe
Earl Grey Milk Tea
Ingredients
Cold brew milk tea
- 2 tea bags Earl Grey (or 2 tablespoons loose Earl Grey)
- 2 cups almond milk (vanilla-flavored, unsweetened)
Earl Grey ice cubes
- 1 tea bag Earl Grey (or 1 tablespoon loose Earl Grey)
- 1 cup hot water
Earl Grey milk tea
- 2 cups cold brew milk tea
- Earl Grey ice cubes
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar syrup (1½ tbsp per glass)
Instructions
- Make the cold brew: combine almond milk and Earl Grey tea bags or loose tea in a jar, seal, and refrigerate 12–16 hours.
- Remove tea bags or strain out leaves.
- For ice cubes: steep 1 tea bag (or 1 tablespoon loose tea) in 1 cup hot water, cool, then freeze in an ice tray.
- Add about six Earl Grey ice cubes to each of two tall glasses.
- Pour cold-brew milk tea over the ice, dividing evenly. Add 1½ tablespoons brown sugar syrup to each glass and stir.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
You can swap brown sugar syrup for another sweetener or skip it entirely. Cashew milk is a good alternative to almond; oat or coconut milk will change the flavor balance. Brown sugar syrup can be store-bought or homemade.