Greek Frappé

The Greek Frappé is a quintessential summer beverage in Greece, celebrated for its simplicity and intense cooling qualities. It's created by vigorously shaking or blending instant coffee, sugar, and a small amount of water until a dense, stable foam is formed. This foam is then poured over ice and topped with more cold water and milk to taste, resulting in a tall, invigorating coffee drink perfect for hot days.
Greek Frappé

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Greek Frappé is classified as an iced coffee drink. It stands in its own category due to its unique preparation with instant coffee, creating a beverage distinct from iced lattes or cold brews. It is a quintessential example of a shaken, frothy, non-alcoholic coffee refreshment.

Serving

This non-alcoholic beverage is served cold over ice in a tall Highball glass to accommodate the coffee and its signature thick foam. A straw is essential for drinking.
Serving size
250-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Frappé was accidentally invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair in Greece. A representative for the Nescafé brand, Dimitris Vakondios, couldn't find hot water for his usual instant coffee during a break. In a moment of inspiration, he combined the coffee with cold water and ice cubes in a shaker, creating the first-ever frothy Frappé, which quickly became a national favorite.
Origin
Thessaloniki, Greece, 1957.

Greek Frappé

The original Greek name "Καφές φραπέ" (Kafes frapé) translates to "shaken coffee," which perfectly describes its preparation method. It is widely known as Nescafé Frappé because it was famously invented using Nescafé brand instant coffee. The simple term "Frappé" is commonly used throughout Greece and Cyprus to refer to this specific drink.
Original name
Καφές φραπέ
Alternative names
  • Frappé Coffee
  • Nescafé Frappé

Characteristics overview

The Greek Frappé features a bold coffee flavor with a distinctively thick, airy foam, creating a striking two-toned appearance. It's an exceptionally refreshing summer drink with a pleasant coffee aroma and a texture that can be customized with milk.
Flavor
Coffee, foamy, creamy (with milk), sweet (to taste)
Aroma
Roasted coffee, sweet
Taste balance
Bitter, sweet
Aftertaste
Lingering coffee bitterness, clean
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Two-toned, dark brown bottom, light tan foam top, layered
Texture
Foamy, light, airy, watery (without milk), creamy (with milk)
Seasonality
Very refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a customizable balance between the bitterness of instant coffee and the sweetness of sugar. It is a completely non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drink with a light creaminess if milk is added.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need instant coffee, sugar, and cold water as the base for this drink. Ice cubes are essential for chilling, and a splash of milk is a popular but optional addition.
  • Instant Coffee2 teaspoons
    Spray-dried instant coffee, like Nescafé Classic, works best to create a stable foam.
  • Sugar2 teaspoons, or to taste
    Adjust based on preference: skétos (plain), métrios (medium sweet), or glykós (sweet).
  • Cold WaterApprox. 200 ml / 6.7 oz
    Use a small amount (2-3 tablespoons) for shaking, and the rest to top up the glass.
  • Ice Cubes3-5 cubes
  • MilkA splash, to taste(optional)
    Evaporated milk is a popular choice in Greece, but any milk or plant-based alternative works.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

To create the signature foam, you can either use a cocktail shaker or a simple jar with a tight lid. Alternatively, a small handheld electric frother (known as a frapièra in Greece) is the most common tool used.
  • Cocktail shaker or a jar with a secure lid
  • Handheld milk frother (frapièra)

Instructions

The method is simple: shake or froth instant coffee, sugar, and a little water to create a thick foam. Pour this over ice in a tall glass, then top with cold water and an optional splash of milk.
1. In a cocktail shaker, jar, or tall glass, combine the instant coffee, sugar, and about 2-3 tablespoons of cold water.
2. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, or use a handheld frother until a very thick, creamy foam forms. The foam should be stable enough to hold its shape.
3. Place 3-5 ice cubes into a clean highball glass.
4. Pour the coffee foam over the ice cubes in the serving glass.
5. Slowly top up the glass with cold water, leaving some room at the top if you plan to add milk.
6. If desired, add a splash of milk. The milk will settle under the foam, creating a distinct layered look.
7. Serve immediately with a drinking straw.

Garnishing

The Greek Frappé is traditionally served without any garnish, as its impressive and long-lasting foam is considered the primary decoration.
  • None

Dietary Information

This drink contains caffeine. It is naturally egg-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free, and can easily be made dairy-free and vegan by omitting milk or using a plant-based alternative.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie drink, with most of the energy coming from added sugar and milk. You can make a nearly zero-calorie version by omitting both.
Calories
Averagely 40-100 kcal / 167-418 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
10-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
10-25 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Greek Frappé is perfect as a morning starter, an afternoon energizer, or simply as a refreshing treat on a hot summer day. It is the go-to drink for relaxing at a café, enjoying a day at the beach, or catching up with friends.
  • Morning coffee
  • Afternoon pick-me-up
  • Summer refreshment
  • Beachside sipping
  • Casual get-together

Pairing suggestions

The Frappé pairs wonderfully with both sweet Greek pastries and savory pies, making it a versatile companion for breakfast or a light snack. Its strong coffee flavor cuts through rich pastries beautifully, while also complementing simple biscuits or toast.
  • Greek pastries like Bougatsa or Koulouria
  • Savory pies like Spanakopita (spinach pie) or Tiropita (cheese pie)
  • A simple biscuit or cookie
  • Toast with honey and feta

Greek Frappé: The Quintessential Frothy Iced Coffee

The Greek Frappé is a famously refreshing iced coffee drink that holds a special place in Greek culture. Born from a happy accident in 1957, it has become a symbol of summer and relaxation. The magic lies in its preparation: shaking instant coffee, sugar, and a bit of water to create a uniquely thick and long-lasting foam. Served over ice in a tall glass, it's a simple, customizable, and deeply satisfying beverage perfect for beating the heat.

Similar drinks

Dalgona Coffee

A South Korean drink with similar ingredients (instant coffee, sugar, water) whipped into a foam, but it is served by spooning the foam on top of a glass of milk.

Caffè Shakerato

The Italian counterpart, made by shaking freshly brewed espresso, sugar, and ice. It's typically strained and served straight up in a cocktail glass without ice.

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