Honey Stardust Earl Grey Latte Recipe

Make your own honey stardust, an earl grey latte on the Starbucks secret menu mentioned in “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern.

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Don’t worry if you haven’t read “The Starless Sea” yet, there are no story spoilers here!

If you love recipes inspired by fiction, pick up a copy of “The Starless Sea” and make your own Earl Grey latte, called by a dreamy name in the book. The honey stardust is described in the story:

“It’s basically an Earl Grey tea with soy milk and honey and a little bit of vanilla.”

“The Starless Sea”

This adult fiction book by Erin Morgenstern is a fantastical adventure story about a man who finds a door to a secret underground library. It’s full of magic and books. It’s pretty surreal, a bit like a fairytale, and probably one of those stories that you need to read twice to catch everything that happens.

I adore this book and think it’s perfect for curling up with a mug of tea and reading all day! (My copy is just under 500 pages, so maybe for several days.)

You can order this drink at Starbucks, but since it’s part of the secret menu, the barista might not know what you want. Be prepared to list the ingredients.

This Starbucks secret menu drink is also easy to make at home!

Honey stardust tips

Here are a few quick notes to help you make this recipe:

What’s in a London Fog?

If you’re a tea lover, you might find this drink similar to a London fog, which is made with Earl Grey tea, milk, and vanilla.

What does an Earl grey latte taste like?

Earl Grey tea is flavored with bergamot and tastes like a mix of floral and fruity. I think it smells like a bowl of Froot Loops cereal.

Is this a hot or cold drink?

You can serve this hot or cold, although I’ve only tried it hot. If you’re making a cold drink, let the tea cool after adding the honey and vanilla, then add ice and cold milk.

What type of mug is best for tea?

You can make this in any mug, but if you like the one I used in this post, this tea infuser mug is similar. A teacup with a lid is handy because it keeps the steam in while steeping, then helps the tea stay warm while you drink it slowly.

How do you substitute…?

Most of the ingredients can be substituted if you don’t have something or you don’t use a certain one. Of course, substitutes will change the flavor of the drink, some more than others.

• Tea – You can use your favorite tea for a variation. Other fruity flavors would be similar.
• Honey – Swap for your favorite sweetener. Check your particular product to determine the amount.
• Vanilla syrup – Lots of other Torani syrup flavors would be tasty. Or try vanilla extract, but only 1/4 teaspoon for an 8-ounce mug.
• Soy milk – Use any dairy or non-dairy milk. If you have a milk frother, you can use it to make this more cappuccino-like.

How to make a honey stardust

Ingredients

• 1 Earl Grey teabag
• 4 ounces water
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 ounce vanilla syrup
• 4 ounces soy milk

Instructions

1. Steep the tea.

Heat water in a kettle on the stove to boiling (212 degrees Fahrenheit). You could also use an electric kettle. Place the tea bag in an 8-ounce mug and pour the water over it. Let the tea steep for 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the flavors.

Remove the tea bag and discard. Add the honey and vanilla syrup. Stir gently with a spoon to melt the honey and incorporate the vanilla.

3. Add the milk.

Heat the milk in a small saucepan on the stove or in the microwave just until hot (not boiling, around 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Pour the milk into the tea mug and stir to combine. Serve immediately.

Printable recipe

Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:

• Star Trek Tranya Drink Recipe
• Strawberry Margarita Shake
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider