The Greek frappé looks effortless but tastes like someone spent a long time on it. It has barely changed in nearly seven decades. Three ingredients, a shaker, and about two minutes stand between you and the real thing. If you have ever wanted to make a Greek frappé at home, you are about to find out exactly how.
What Is a Greek Frappé?
A Greek frappé is a cold iced coffee drink made by shaking instant coffee with a small amount of cold water until it produces a thick, stable foam, then pouring that foam over ice and topping it with water or milk. The result is bold, slightly bitter, and deeply refreshing. Where most iced coffees start with brewed or espresso-based coffee chilled after the fact, the Greek frappé is cold from the first step.
The frappé was invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair. Yannis Dritsas was demonstrating a new chocolate drink for children, made by mixing powder with milk and shaking it in a shaker. Dimitris Vakondios, an employee of Dritsas, wanted his usual instant coffee during his break but could not find any hot water. He borrowed the shaker, added instant coffee, cold water, and ice cubes, and shook it. What came out was a dense, frothy, cold coffee drink. Vakondios had not set out to invent anything. He was just trying to get a coffee.
What You Need to Make a Greek Frappé
Making an authentic Greek frappé at home requires only a handful of items. Here is what to gather before you start.
Instant coffee is what creates the frappé’s characteristic foam.
Cold water(about 2 to 3 tablespoons) to shake with the coffee and sugar, plus enough to fill the glass.
Sugar is optional, but it also helps the foam take its shape.
Ice cubes; a handful directly into the serving glass.
A shaker or frother such as a cocktail shaker, an electric milk frother, or a jar with a tight-fitting lid will do the job.
A tall serving glass that holds at least 400ml.
How to Make a Greek Frappé: Step-by-Step
This recipe makes one serving.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- up to 4 teaspoons sugar, depending on your sweetness preference
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 3 to 4 ice cubes
- Cold water, to fill the glass
- 1 tablespoon milk of your choice (optional)
Steps
Add the instant coffee, sugar (if using), and 3 tablespoons of cold water to your shaker or jar. The water should just cover the coffee.
Seal the shaker and shake it vigorously for 30 to 45 seconds. You are looking for a thick, pale brown foam that does not immediately collapse when you stop. If the foam looks thin or watery, keep shaking.
Put the ice cubes into your serving glass.
Pour the foam from the shaker directly over the ice cubes. The foam should sit on top of and around the ice.
Add any milk.
Fill the glass with cold water until it reaches just below the foam line.
Master Your Iced Coffee Technique
A Greek frappé may look complicated, but making one at home is easy. If you’re a regular home coffee brewer then you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen. Either way, the only thing you need to get your Greek frappé right every time is practice and technique, just like with any other coffee recipe. The best way to build this technique is through a barista training course. These courses are for everyone, not just people wanting to work in cafes. Enrol today and you can start making better coffees at home.
FAQs
How Much Caffeine Is in a Greek Frappé?
A Greek frappé made with 2 teaspoons of instant coffee contains roughly 60 to 80mg of caffeine, which is comparable to a standard cup of instant coffee.
Can You Make a Greek Frappé with Decaf Coffee?
Yes. Decaf instant coffee produces the same foam as regular instant coffee and does not change the drink’s.
What Is the Difference Between a Greek Frappé and a Frappuccino?
The key difference is how each drink is made. A Frappuccino is blended with ice, milk, and flavoured syrups, producing a thick, uniform texture with no foam layer. A frappé is a coffee served cold; a Frappuccino is closer to a frozen dessert.
