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.
Anjali says
I haven't been to Starbucks in so long since the pandemic started, so I was super excited to try this recipe and recreate my Starbucks experience at home! It was delicious!
Jas says
So happy to read this, Anjali! Thanks for stopping in! Stay safe! x
Dannii says
We are saving ourselves a fortune by making our own iced coffee at home. These look perfect.
Jas says
Indeed! As much as we consume it during summer months, it's definitely a much cheaper option!
Raquel says
So wish I could have caffeine because I would drink the hell out of this;)
Jas says
I wish you could have it too! 🙁
stephanie says
This Classic Greek Frappe is so delicious, I made it for the first time today and will be making it again.
Jas says
I'm so glad you like it, Stephanie! xo
Rosa says
I consider my solo trip to Greece (and Israel) the trip of my lifetime (so far) and my wonderful memories of the trip include Greek frappes! I loved how they would custom make them for you to your preferred sweetness. On hot days like today I dream about those frappes, but I never buy them here because they're loaded with sugar. Can't believe I didn't think to make my own before now. Thanks for the recipe!
Jas says
Hi, Rosa! Memories to last a lifetime, I'm sure. My husband drinks about 5 of these on a hot day. 🙂 Hope you'll make it for yourself and revive those sweet memories 🙂
Miz Helen says
I will love your Frappe! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us real soon!
Miz Helen
Jas says
Thank you, Miz Helen! It's so refreshing and although we don't have summer temperatures yet, we're enjoying it daily.
Leslie says
That coffee mug does look pretty awesome! Unfortunately, my coffee tends to spill when I'm carrying it to the car, not when it's on a table. Though we could certainly stand to have a water bottle version of this with our rambunctious 2-year-old running around. Thanks so much for sharing at the #happynowlinkup!
Jas says
I frequently elbow mine when it's on the table, especially next to my laptop, lol. A water bottle version would be cool! Take care, my friend!
Marissa | Squirrels of a Feather says
Lovely! I have never tried one of these, but now I want to 😉
Emma : Ettieandme says
This looks sooo refreshing! I lived in Greece for a while and the frappes were the main thing that got me through the day in the summer heat! thanks for sharing the secrets on how to make a great one:)
Barrie Mooney says
Beautiful!! I love the foamy top!
Jas says
That's the best part 😉 Thanks for visiting!
Jessica Cantoni says
I'm sure your frappe is much nicer that a Starbucks one anyway!! x
P.S I have a world food linky over on my blog jesseatsandtravels.com if you're interesting in joining in! x
Jas says
Thanks so much and thank you for stopping in, Jessica! I'm heading over to your party now. 🙂
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook says
I need that mighty mug, hahaha! The frappe looks so inviting. I need to try this! Thanks for sharing, Jas. x
Jas says
The mug is mighty, ha! Thanks, Jhuls 😀
Robin Kublick says
I LOVE a good Greek frappe! But I use a hand held frother. Quick and easy! And I usually add a bit of coffee creamer liquid if I want to give it a bit of flavor, and since me and milk don't get along so good, I use almond milk or coconut milk.
Jas says
I should get me one of those! I never liked milk and drink my coffee black but this frappe needs a bit of sugar (I use organic coconut palm sugar) 🙂
Maggie says
Is it really only 2 tbsp of water? That seems like such a tiny volume and the amount in the glasses in your photos seems like much more. Please advise!
Jas says
Hi, Maggie! I see how it might be confusing and I'm fixing it. The two tablespoons are just to make the froth but then in the directions (step #2), it says to top off your glass with cold water or milk. Thanks for pointing it out! Hope you'll enjoy the frappe, my husband makes 2-3 daily 🙂
Teresa at Aging Like a Fine Wine says
I just pinned and tweeted this and I'm looking forward to giving the recipe a try! Thank you for sharing with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty!
Jas says
Thank you, Teresa! Have a great week.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
I could drink one of those right now - they look delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with us at #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty. I've pinned and shared on social media. Catch you at the link up next month!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
Jas says
Thanks, Sue!
Grammy Dee from GrammysGrid.com says
Yummy! I know this must taste really good. I'm not a coffee drinker but on occasion I buy one just for something different. Thanks Jas for linking up at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I shared this post.
Jas says
Thanks, Dee!
Lori Hill-Smith says
I'd love to try this!
Jas says
Hi Lori, I hope you do. So easy to make! 🙂
Christie Hawkes says
This looks divine! I want one right now. I confess to spending $5 a day on iced lattes, and they aren't nearly this pretty. Thanks for sharing on #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty.
~Christie
Jas says
Thanks, Christie! I guess if that's your only vice then it's ok, lol
Donna says
Our warm weather has finally hit, making this recipe a perfect choice!
Thank you for including it #blogginggrandmotherslinkparty .
Jas says
Thank you, Donna. We love it.