This classic Greek Frappé recipe is super easy to make and uses just 3 simple ingredients, the main one being instant coffee.
Also known as a "Nescafé frappé", it has been a popular summer drink in Greece for decades!
This seriously delicious authentic Greek iced coffee will make you forget about that popular Starbucks frappuccino.
If you're looking for a cheaper solution, then look no further! This easy recipe includes everything you need to know about homemade Greek frappe from scratch, so grab your ingredients and get started today!
Transform yourself to a small Greek café with white houses in the background and blue skies and holding a cold frappe! It's a must-have coffee recipe for those hot summer days for any and all caffeine junkies.
What is Frappe?
In Greece, the frappe is more than just a refreshing caffeinated drink. It's an integral part of the outdoor Greek coffee culture and one that has been enjoyed for generations.
Through experimentation by Dimitris Vakondios, an employee of Yannis Dritsas (a representative of the Nestlé company), Frappe was invented at Thessaloniki International Trade Fair, Greece, in 1957.
Some say it started out as an emergency solution, as he didn't have hot water to make instant coffee, so he put a few teaspoons in a glass of cold water and shook it.
This latte-like beverage is the national coffee of Greece and is available in three degrees of sweetness, determined by the amount of sugar and coffee used.
- Sweet (Glykós): 2 teaspoons of coffee and 4 teaspoons of sugar.
- Medium (Métrios): 2 teaspoons of coffee and 2 teaspoons of sugar (my personal preference)
- Plain (Skétos): 2 teaspoons of coffee and no sugar.
📃 Why it Works
- It's quick and easy to make.
- For this authentic "Greek frappé" you only need three ingredients (if you count ice cubes).
- It's budget-friendly.
- This whipped coffee tastes absolutely delicious! It tastes much like Dalgona coffee.
- It's perfect for every coffee lover who need a quick caffeine fix.
- The best part is that no brewing or coffee machine is required!
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
To make your own frappe, without a blender, all you need is:
- Instant coffee granules - we had the best results with Nescafe Instant Coffee
- Sugar - we prefer white, granulated. I found that coconut sugar changes the original flavor. You can experiment with 1:1 sugar substitutes.
- Water and ice cubes - that's basically one ingredient fresh and frozen.
*See the recipe card below for the amounts.
🔪 Instructions
No blender, electric frother, or fancy shaker is needed to make it. All you need is a mason jar with a lid!
Step 1
- Pour teaspoons of coffee granules, sugar per your personal taste, and a little bit of water (enough to cover the ingredients) into a frappe or cocktail shaker. A mason jar with a thigh-fitting lid works just as well.
- Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes until very foamy.
It is meant to be shaken vigorously to allow the thick foam to form. The creation of the characteristic thick frothy layer is what it is all about!
Then it is poured over lots of ice cubes, with the option of adding a splash of cream or cold milk (regular, evaporated, or condensed).
Step 2
- Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes.
- Pour the frothy sugar mixture into the glass and slowly top off with more cold water. Serve with drinking straws.
Enjoy while dreaming of sunny Greece!
👉 Variations
- Use milk instead of water (except when making the foam).
- If you like it extra creamy, add a tablespoon or two of heavy cream or evaporated milk.
- Replace milk with chocolate milk.
- Take it to the next level and add a shot of Baileys or Kahlúa.
- Top with whipping cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Use decaf Instant Coffee.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Don't toss out the leftovers! Wait for it to cool and then freeze it in an ice cube tray. Then, when you're ready to make your frappe, use your coffee ice cubes instead of regular ice cubes! This won't water it down like regular ice cubes do keeping it strong and bold until the last sip!
Frappe is iced coffee, sometimes topped with milk or cream, where Frappuccino is rather like a milkshake with coffee, milk, and ice cream.
- Make it with milk instead of water (except for the little bit in the beginning) and you'll have a frapógalo - frappe float.
- Don't skimp on the shaking step. Shake vigorously! The harder you shake, the more foamy your frappe will be!
- It's damn near impossible to get all the foam out of the jar...so pour some water in it, put the lid on, and shake. Pour contents into your glass, repeat as necessary.
- No shortcuts! If you try to add all of the water and then shake, you'll end up with just the foam.
- Take it to the next level and add a shot of Baileys, Kahlúa, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a yummy dessert!
🥙More Greek Recipes:
- Greek Pasta Casserole - Pastitsio
- Beef and Cheese Tortellini
- Sheet-Pan Herbed Chicken
- Greek Lamb Meatball Pita Sandwich
- Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Greek Orange Fillo Cake
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Classic Greek Frappe
EQUIPMENT
- Mason jar
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee (Nescafe is the best)
- 2-4 teaspoons white sugar, adjust to your preference of sweetness
- 2 tablespoons water
- Ice cubes
- Milk, heavy cream, condensed milk, or evaporated milk to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Pour 2 teaspoon instant coffee granules, 2 teaspoon (or more) sugar, and 2 tablespoon water into a small mason jar with a thigh-fitting lid or cocktail shaker. Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes until very foamy.
- Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour the froth into the glass and slowly top off with cold water. Leave room for heavy cream or milk, if using.
Video
Notes
- Make it with milk instead of water (except for the little bit in the beginning) and you'll have a frapógalo - frappe float.
- Don't skimp on the shaking step. The stronger you shake, the more delicious the foam.
- It's damn near impossible to get all the foam out of the jar...so pour some water in it, put the lid on, and shake. Pour contents into your glass, repeat as necessary.
- No shortcuts! If you try to add all of the water and then shake, you'll end up with just the foam.
- Take it to the next level and add a shot of Baylies, Kahlúa, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Nutrition information is approximate and meant as a guideline only
Nutrition
Update Notes: This recipe was originally published in May 2017. It was updated in June of 2020 with new photos, a video, and great recipe tips.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
I seriously need one of these in my life. I was organizing my craft room, with my teen & coffee went flying across the room, no joke. Love the coffee recipe btw. Thanks for sharing at the #InspirationSpotlight party @DearCreatives Pinned & shared.
Jas says
Thank you, Theresa! It happens way too often in my house too 😉
Debbie Kitterman says
Jas, another delicious recipe! I don't drink coffee, but my husband does and I know he'd love to make something like this. Thanks for linking up with #TuneInThursday this week. See you next time!
Jas says
Thanks! I hope he likes it. Have a blessed weekend ahead!
Miz Helen says
I just pinned this Frappe and can't wait to try it! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday! Hope you are having a great week and come back to see us real soon.
Miz Helen
Jas says
Thanks, as always, for your kindness Miz Helen!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
That's a beautiful drink! Thanks for sharing at the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!
Jas says
Thank you, Helen!
Kayleigh | Whisks & Wooden Spoons says
Yum. These are amazing. And I'd love to visit Greece someday too - it looks so wonderful.
Jas says
Hi, Kayleigh! Greece is on the top of my bucket list. Thanks for stopping in!!!
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
I'd definitely give this a go! This looks absolutely delicious!
Jas says
I hope you do! It's yummy 🙂
Kate Hollingsworth says
These look amazing Jas! I need to try your pouring technique to get that fancy layered look. xx
Jas says
Hi, Kate! It was unexpected but I love how it turned out 😀
Kate Hollingsworth says
P.S. I'm featuring your scrumptious frappe this Wednesday at House of Hollingsworth Blog xx
Jas says
Thank you, Kate! You made my day 😀
Jen Gregor says
This looks great and I love the mug! Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend!
Jas says
Thank you, Jen!
Sandra says
Starbucks is a tad too expensive for me and I like this option much better. I've knocked over enough beverages to know that the Mighty Mug is something that I need. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, have a great weekend.
Jas says
Thank you, Sandra! Hope your holiday weekend is relaxing and safe!
Julie says
This sounds so good! I can't wait to try it...I need some instant coffee! The mugs look amazing.
Visiting from #TuneInThursday
Jas says
Thank you, Julie! So glad you like it 😀
Carol says
Nice recipe. I am not a fan of Starbucks, and like the frugal substitution!
Jas says
Me neither, Carol, so it's an easy choice for me but there are so many Starbucks addicts out there 🙂 Thank you for stopping in!
Healthy World Cuisine says
3 ingredient frappe! We are all about that. These afternoons a little pick me up is perfect to get us through. Love this mug. Seriously I can't even tell you often I have spilled my coffee/tea over my keyboard! Uggh!! You got your photos to show up on mail chimp. Yeah!!! Sharing of course!
Jas says
Thank you, Bobbi! Some days I need loads of coffee...
Really, they showed up? That's awesome, considering I haven't done anything to fix it 😀 Have a wonderful rest of your week!
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Oh wow! I could use one of those right now!
Thanks for sharing.
Jas says
Thank you! Really easy to make 😉
Ann says
Aha! Are you going to be perfecting latte art soon? 😉
I like that latte mug of yours. So cool looking! Want. 😀
Jas says
No latte artist here 😉 What you see is what you get, lol. Enter the giveaway, Ann! You might win it 🙂
Mayuri Patel says
a delicious and ultra tempting frappe. Home made ones are the best as one can control the amount of sugar and cream that goes into it. The mighty mug is an amazing product.
Jas says
Hi, Mayuri! That's the most important thing about homemade - you know exactly what you're putting in. Thanks for stopping in!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy says
oh, that looks so tasty!!!
Jas says
Thank you, Danielle, it's highly addictive 😀
Mary says
Haha! You all are so funny! Why would I hide when my besties are coming? I would love to have you ladies visit! I would even fix the rest of the empty rooms for your stay! Jas the mug is perfection. You don't know how many times we have spilled coffee all over the place. The frappe is perfection of course!!
Jas says
I think Greece is the best central area to meet for Michelle coming from Africa and me from the States. Then I could swing by my home country while there 🙂
So, how many empty rooms do you have Mary? You could be renting that out, you know? I'll let you know when my vacation jar has enough money to travel to Greece. No more Starbucks for me 😉
Stephanie says
Entered! Thanks Jas
Jas says
Yay, thank you! I hope you win 🙂
Gabby says
That looks very refreshing! I am lucky enough to have been to Greece and I tell you these frappes get quite addictive! The mug looks pretty amazing too!
Jas says
Oh, lucky you! How could you not get addicted to yummy frappes, am I right?
Michelle says
Oooooo can I come too, I've always wanted to visit Mary. Just imagine the fun we'd have 😉 I love your Greek frappe recipe, definitely something I can do in the kitchen and I'm fascinated by this mug Jas. How does it do that? I have to try get one, just to figure it out.
Jas says
Yes, let's all go to Mary's! She'll probably hide, lol.
I can see you taking this mug apart and making something amazing with it, ha!
Mary says
No hiding for me. I would take Michelle to the basement and let her raid it for anything she wants. And jas I would take you to the farmer's market and all my favorite taverns.
Jas says
Yeah, let's lock up Michelle in the basement, hahaha! I'm your favorite 😉 You know me well, I'd so enjoy farmer's market and taverns!