Greek Frappé is a frothy blend of coffee, ice, and sugar, served with an optional layer of cream on top. With only three ingredients, this refreshing treat is easy to make and will leave you craving more.
If you've never had an authentic Greek frappe, get ready for a delicious surprise! It will make you forget all about that expensive ⭐bucks frappuccino and the Dalgona whipped coffee.
This iced coffee recipe is perfect for hot summer days, especially if you're a caffeine lover. It's a real classic Greek frappe you can now have at home!
It's super simple to make, even my husband makes it several times a day when he's working in our yard on really hot days. It's his favorite go-to summer beverage.
What is Frappe?
In Greece, the Nescafé frappé 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.
The Greek frappe has an interesting history, originating in the 1950s when an accidental discovery led to its creation.
It all began in Thessaloniki, Greece, when an employee of Yannis Dritsas (a representative of the Nestlé company) couldn't get hot water to make his instant coffee. Instead, he improvised by shaking a few teaspoons in a glass of cold water.
🥤 Why you'll love this Greek frappe
- It's quick and easy to make.
- You only need three ingredients (if you count ice cubes).
- It's budget-friendly.
- This frothed coffee tastes absolutely delicious!
- It's perfect for every coffee lover who needs a quick caffeine fix.
- There's no need for a frother, shaker, blender, or fancy coffee machine - just a jar.
🛒 Ingredients and Notes
- Instant coffee granules - see below for the best type.
- Sugar - granulated white sugar. I found that coconut sugar changes the original flavor. You can experiment with other 1:1 sugar substitutes.
- Water and ice cubes - that's basically one ingredient, fresh and frozen. You can use crushed ice, but it will quickly dilute your coffee.
- *Creamer - Cream or milk is optional, and it will affect the creaminess and richness of the drink. My husband drinks it black, but I love adding heavy cream or condensed milk when I have leftovers from another recipe. You can experiment with dairy-free creamers if you prefer.
What type of coffee is best for making frappe?
Frappe is only made with instant coffee. If you want authentic Greek frappe, use Nescafe Instant Coffee. Of course, you can make it with any other instant coffee brand, but it won't be an authentic Greek Nescafe frappe.
Greeks have varying preferences for the strength of their frappes, so use your preference as a guide for this recipe.
How to make authentic Greek frappe (without a blender)
Step 1
Pour teaspoons of instant coffee granules, sugar per your personal taste, and a little bit of water (enough to cover the ingredients) into a mason jar with a lid.
Step 2
Close the lid tightly and shake for 1-2 minutes until very foamy.
💡 Top tip
Shake vigorously to allow the thick foam to form. The longer you shake, the thicker and frothier the foam will be.
Step 3
Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour the frothy sugar mixture into the glass and slowly top off with more cold water.
Step 4 (optional)
You can top it off with a splash of cream or cold milk (regular, evaporated, or condensed).
Enjoy while dreaming of sunny Greece!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- If you make it with milk instead of water (except for a little bit in the first step), you'll have a frapógalo - a cold 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, and repeat as necessary.
- No shortcuts! If you try to add all the water and then shake, you'll end up with just the foam.
👉 Variations
In Greece, you can order this latte-like national coffee in three degrees of sweetness, the amount of which is based on personal taste.
- Sweet (Glykós): 2 teaspoons of coffee and 4 teaspoons of sugar (how my husband likes it).
- Medium (Métrios): 2 teaspoons of coffee and 2 teaspoons of sugar (my personal preference).
- Plain (Skétos): 2 teaspoons of coffee and no sugar.
- With milk (Me gála): 1 tablespoon of evaporated milk or another creamer of your preference.
This Greek frappe recipe is a classic, but you can modify it and make it your own:
- Add whipping cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like it extra creamy. 😋
- Replace milk or cream with chocolate milk.
- Make it boozy and add a shot of Baileys or Kahlúa.
- Add vanilla extract or ground cinnamon.
- Use decaf Instant Coffee.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Frappe is iced coffee, sometimes topped with milk or cream, whereas Frappuccino is rather like a milkshake with coffee, milk, and ice cream.
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! You can do the same with leftover hot coffee, just let it cool before freezing.
🥙More Greek Recipes:
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Classic Greek Frappe (Iced Coffee) Recipe
EQUIPMENT
- Mason jar
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons instant coffee , Nescafe
- 2-4 teaspoons white sugar, adjust to your preference of sweetness
- 2 tablespoons water
- Ice cubes
- Milk (optional), or use 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. [*See our step-by-step process photos in the post above and extra tips.]
- Close the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 1-2 minutes until very foamy.
- Fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes. Pour the foam into the glass and slowly top off with cold water.
- Top it off with a splash of milk or cream if using.
Video
Notes
- This recipe makes one serving. Feel free to double (or triple) the ingredients if you need to serve more people.
- If you make it with milk instead of water (except for a little bit in the first step), you'll have a frapógalo - a cold 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, and repeat as necessary.
- No shortcuts! If you try to add all the water and then shake, you'll end up with just the foam.
- Check out the "Variations" section in the post above to learn how to modify it to get the best-tasting iced coffee!
- 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 March 2024 with new photos, a video, and great recipe tips.
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!