This is the original whipped coffee! Before the viral trend of dalgona coffee, the Greek frappe was the default airy, frothy, and creamy iced coffee. It’s especially perfect for the hot and dry Greek climate, where a refreshing and creamy iced coffee helps you cool off.

Luckily, you don’t need to pay hundreds of dollars to fly to Greece to try this concoction; you can make it right in the comfort of your own home! All you need is 3 ingredients that you can find in your kitchen pantry.

Here’s how to make a delicious Greek frappe at home!

What is a Greek Frappe?

A Greek frappe is simply a cold, frothy iced coffee. Traditionally, it’s made with specifically Nescafe instant coffee and water, that’s it. Sometimes, ice isn’t even added! The drink is cold from the cold water used to froth the instant coffee, which differs from how dalgona coffee is made.

You shake it in a cocktail shaker to create a fluffy, light brown foam that makes the drink soft and creamy.

It’s a Greek staple during the summer and the drink of choice for many. It’s refreshing, energizing, and so satisfying. The Greek frappe is the symbol of Greek outside coffee culture, much like how the Aperol Spritz is to Italy.

It’s also insanely easy to make, which is probably why all the restaurants and coffee shops love making it as much as they like drinking it.

Where Does Greek Frappe Come From?

Ironically, apparently, like most good things in life, the Greek Frappe was made accidentally by a Nescafe associate named Dimitris Vakondios.

In 1957, Vakondios attended the Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF) promoting a new children’s chocolate milk made instantly in a shaker. During his break, he couldn’t find hot water for his instant coffee so he added it to the shaker and cold water, and the Greek Frappe was born.

Talk about a one-hit wonder for the company!

Greek Frappe vs. Dalgona Coffee

When dalgona coffee started trending, many people were quick to notice that it shares a lot of similarities with Greek frappe. Some people even claimed that dalgona coffee was just a Greek frappe rebranded, which is incorrect. Dalgona coffee and Greek frappe are similar concepts but are made differently.

Dalgona coffee is made with equal parts instant coffee, hot water, and sugar, which is whipped until stiff foam forms and scooped onto ice and milk. It’s an extra creamy drink that is made even creamier from the fluffy coffee foam.

Greek frappe, on the other hand, is made with instant coffee, cold water, and sugar, which is shaken until foam forms, and then poured onto a little bit of ice. The foam is not as stiff as dalgona and it usually has no milk added. However, you can get it with milk these days. More water to coffee is used in this frappe, too. It’s more similar to an iced coffee while dalgona coffee is more similar to an iced latte.

What is in a Greek Frappe?

A Greek frappe has Nescafe instant coffee, cold water, a little bit of ice, and sometimes evaporated milk. It’s a really simple yet delicious iced coffee that’s frothy and creamy in all the best ways.

It’s normally plain, without any added flavorings, so the instant coffee’s flavor shines through. If you want milk, traditionally evaporated milk is used for an extra creamy flavor and texture. However, you can also use regular milk if you prefer.

What Does a Greek Frappe Taste Like?

Many Greek people say that when Greek frappe is made with any instant coffee other than Nescafe, it tastes off. I guess when more than 90% of the country uses Nescafe in their frappe, it acquires a certain flavor that people associate with it.

Nescafe instant coffee is distinctly bitter and slightly caramel or toffee-like, but when it’s aerated the bitterness goes away and you’re left with a nutty, more roasted flavor. If you add a little sugar and milk, it’s even creamier and sweeter. It’s not as heavy as a dark roast coffee, and more of a medium roast flavor.

Over ice, you get all the flavors intensified with the refreshing coolness, and it’s a must-try if you’re visiting Greece in the summer!

How Do You Drink Greek Iced Coffee?

Traditionally, a Greek Frappe is lightly sweetened and has no milk. However, these days you have three levels of sweetness: unsweetened, mild sweet, and sweet.

You can also have it without milk, with a splash of milk, or made mainly with milk. Thank you customization! Sometimes, you can even find it made with different flavors or flavored milk!

Greek frappes are usually served with a straw so you can delightfully sip your iced coffee while enjoying the weather.

How to Make a Greek Frappe

Here’s what you need to make a Greek frappe at home:

• 2 tsp instant coffee (preferably Nescafe)
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup ice
• splash of evaporated milk (optional)

You’ll also need a cocktail shaker or electric frother to froth the instant coffee and water together to create the iconic foam.

Greek Frappe Recipe

1. Add Ingredients to Shaker. Add instant coffee, sugar, and cold water to a shaker. Make sure your shaker lid is secured well, and no liquid leaks out.
2. Shake Coffee. Shake aggressively in a back-and-forth motion (like a bartender) for 10 seconds or until a light, fluffy foam forms.
3. Assemble Drink. Add ice into a glass, then pour your fluffy iced coffee mixture over it. Get as much of the foam out as you can!
4. Mix and Enjoy!

Can You Make a Greek Coffee Without Instant Coffee?

If you don’t have instant coffee, you can make this frappe with brewed coffee or concentrate. It’s not the traditional method, but it’s a substitute! Brewed coffee might not create the same fluffy foam as instant coffee due to the chemical structure, but you’ll still get an aerated iced coffee that’s just as satisfying.

You’ll want to use a cup of chilled brewed coffee and add that into your shaker. You can also flash-chill it in the shaker by adding more ice and warm coffee to it, then shaking it aggressively.

Tips:

Here are some tips for making a great Greek frappe at home!

• Use Different Sweeteners: Greek frappe isn’t limited to just sugar, you can use any sweetener you’d like. This drink tastes great with honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave, you name it! I especially love honey, it just gives it a subtle caramel flavor!
• The Shaker Gets Cold: If you’re using a metal shaker, note that the cup will get really cold, especially if you shake it for a long time. To protect your fingers, you can hold the shaker in a loose cloth or let go of the shaker and reshake it when your fingers warm up slightly.
• Use Any Instant Coffee: You can use any instant coffee you have for this recipe! Nescafe is just the brand used most commonly in the islands and is the default brand used for Greek frappe. But you can get a similar taste with other instant coffees.