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Greek Frappe
About the origins and history of the Greek frappe and how to make one.
Published March 24, 2022
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Jennie Backteman
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Unsurprisingly, the Greek Frappe is a very popular coffee beverage in Greece, the country where it originates from. However, this delicious coffee drink is also finding its way around the world and becoming more and more popular in the US and other countries. If you love your coffee but find that it’s often too hot to drink during the summer, then an iced coffee or frappe can be the perfect alternative to a hot cup of coffee, allowing you to get the caffeine fix you crave without overheating. Frappes are a stunning drink that you can enjoy at any time of the year, but they are particularly good during the spring and summer months as they are refreshing and cooling. And the best part is that you don’t have to hunt out a coffee shop in your local area as they can be easier than you might think to make at home. Keep reading to find out more about Greek frappes and learn how to make your own delicious Greek frappe at home.
Coffee in Greece
Greece is a country that runs on coffee, and the coffee culture here is a huge part of society with people having gathered together in coffee shops for decades. From traditional Greek coffee made in an ibrik to the iconic Frappe and Freddo drinks that you will find in modern coffee shops today, Greece has embraced many different forms of coffee, and the coffee culture today perfectly blends tradition and modernity.
Coffee first arrived in Greece during the Turkish occupation, and the first Greek coffee shops started to open in 1830, after the country gained independence, selling traditional coffee brewed in an ibrik. Ready-made packaged coffee started to become popular in Greece at the beginning of the 20th century.
What is a Greek Frappe?
If you drink a lot of coffee, then you’re probably already aware of the frappe and what it usually contains. However, what you might not be aware of is that a Greek frappe has some differences compared with the standard frappe drinks that you might get somewhere like Starbucks, for example.
A Greek frappe is an iced, frothy coffee that makes a perfect alternative to hot coffee when the weather is warm, and you want something that is going to cool you down while giving you an energy boost at the same time. It is a simple recipe made using coffee, water, sugar, and optional milk if you like it creamier. It is hugely popular in Greece and Cyprus, especially during the warmer summer months, but is gaining more popularity around the world.
Greek Frappe History
The Greek Frappe quickly became a symbol of the outdoor coffee culture in Greece after the war. Along with the freddo espresso, another Greek coffee invention, it is one of the most popular coffee beverages drank in Greece today. The most well-known story behind the invention of the Greek Frappe is that it was made by accident at the Thessaloniki International Fair in 1957, which has been confirmed by Nestle’s senior brand manager. It was invented by Dimitris Vakondios, who was a Nestle employee at the time. At TIF, he was demonstrating the introduction of a new chocolate drink by Nestle that was designed for kids and made instantly using a shaker. While taking a break, Dimitris wanted to drink a regular Nescafe Classic. However, he couldn’t find any hot water, so to compromise, he mixed his coffee in the shaker with cold water, and that’s how the Greek Frappe came about. Since then, it’s grown to become the most iconic coffee drink in Greece.
Greek Frappe Varieties
You can choose from three different degrees of sweetness when you order a Greek Frappe. These are determined by the level of sugar that is added.
- Glykos is sweet with two teaspoons of coffee and four teaspoons of sugar
- Metrics is a medium sweetness with two teaspoons of coffee and two teaspoons of sugar
- Plain is just two teaspoons of coffee without any sugar
You can get milk with any variation of the drink. It is sometimes served without any water and with milk used instead – this is a popular version of the frappe served in Cyprus.
You can also get a Greek frappe with different types of liquor added, and some people like to have it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or chocolate milk instead of regular milk.
How To Prepare
The recipe for preparing a Greek Frappe is fairly easy. You can use a hand mixer or a cocktail mixer to make the coffee with no special tools needed. Just add one or two teaspoons of coffee, the amount of sugar that you want, and a little bit of water and blend them together to make a brownish colored foam. This is then poured into a tall glass and cold water and ice cubes are added. You can also add evaporated milk if you like.
Make a Simple Greek Frappe at Home
If you are interested in trying a Greek frappe, you can easily make one for yourself at home with instant coffee. You will need:
- A shaker, mixer, or a jar with a tight lid
- One cup of cold water
- One teaspoon of instant coffee
- Three to five ice cubes
- One teaspoon of sugar (optional)
- Evaporated milk to taste (optional)
To make the Greek frappe:
- Gather your ingredients together
- Add two or three teaspoons of water to a shaker or in a glass jar with a lid that fits tightly. Make sure that the water is cold.
- Add the instant coffee and sugar to the jar.
- Close the lid of the shaker or jar and shake for ten seconds or until the mixture becomes foamy.
- Pour the foam into your glass and add the remaining water and the ice cubes. Add some milk if you like and stir until blended.
- Serve with a straw and enjoy your Greek frappe!
Tips for Making a Better Greek Frappe
There are several things that you can do to improve the results of your Greek frappe and ensure that this drink is even more enjoyable for you. Shake the mixture as much as you can as the more you shake, the better the drink is going to be. The main purpose of shaking is to create a thick and delicious foam. Also, if you do not have any ice cubes, don’t worry as you can still make a Greek frappe without them. As long as you have cold water, you can enjoy this treat.
Milk-Based Greek Iced Coffee Frappe Recipe
To make a Greek iced coffee frappe at home, you’re going to need:
- 2 teaspoons freeze-dried espresso
- ¾ cup cold half and half milk
- One cup of ice
- One tablespoon brown sugar
To make:
- Add the coffee, sugar, and half and half milk to a container or jug and combine until all the ingredients are completely dissolved.
- Add the mixture along with ice to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. If the blender gets stuck, add another splash of milk.
- Pour and enjoy your coffee straight away. You might like it topped with whipped cream.
Greek Frappe Recipe Additions and Variations
There are lots of additional things that you can add to your Greek frappe or iced coffee to make it your own and adjust the flavor so that it’s just how you like it. For example, a pinch of cinnamon powder is a great way to get a spicy and warming coffee that has an exotic feel, while still being cool and refreshing in the summer. Or, add some chocolate syrup to turn it into a mocha frappe. If you like, you can also use flavored milk instead of regular milk when making a milk-based frappe, or just add a flavored coffee syrup of your choice to the mixture. The sky is the limit when it comes to how you want to make this drink, so don’t be afraid to experiment and try out some new things until you find the one that you enjoy the most.
Making a Greek Frappe With Ice Cream
If you want a really indulgent treat for the summer months, then you might want to consider making your Greek frappe with ice cream. Vanilla ice cream is a popular choice, although you can use vanilla, pistachio, or another flavor that you like and will go well. To make a Greek frappe with ice cream, simply make your Greek frappe as normal. You might want to go with a recipe that doesn’t use milk, as the beverage will be creamy enough once the ice cream is added. Once you have made your Greek frappe, just top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some whipped cream, and it is ready for you to enjoy.
If you go to Greece, you definitely need to enjoy a traditional frappe in the warm weather. However, you don’t need to travel to enjoy this treat as it’s easy to make from the comfort of your own home.
About the author
Jennie Backteman
I´m a ultramarathon runner, landscape designer and a coffee lover.
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