What is a coffee Frappe?

A coffee Frappe is a refreshing and delicious beverage made with coffee, milk, and ice. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day!

The name frappé comes from French, where it describes drinks chilled with ice. Beginning in the 19th century, a variety of cold coffee drinks named café frappé (à la glace) are documented, some similar to slushes, others more like iced coffee.

The Greek version of café frappé, using instant coffee, was invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair. A representative of the Nestlé company, Giannis Dritsas, was exhibiting a new product for children, a chocolate beverage produced instantly by mixing it with milk and shaking it in a shaker. Dritsas’ employee Dimitris Vakondios was looking for a way to have his usual instant coffee during his break but could not find any hot water, so, he mixed the coffee with cold water and ice cubes in a shaker.

This improvised experiment established the frappé which quickly grew in popularity in Greece. Nestlè capitalized on the drink with intense marketing campaigns in the 1980s that broadened the drink’s popularity and left the brand name Nescafé inextricably linked with the frappé. While today the drink is usually simply called a ‘frappé’ in Greece, in the past it was often called a ‘Nescafé frappé’.

How is a frappe made?

A frappe is made by blending coffee, milk, ice and flavorings together. The result is a refreshing and slightly sweet drink that can be enjoyed any time of day.

There are many ways to make a frappe, but the most basic recipe includes just four ingredients: coffee, milk, ice and flavorings. To make a frappe, simply combine these ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

If you want to get creative with your frappe, there are many ways to do so. You can add different flavorings to the mix, such as chocolate or vanilla. You can also top your frappe with whipped cream or sprinkles for an extra special treat.

No matter how you make it, a frappe is a delicious and refreshing way to enjoy coffee. So next time you need an afternoon pick-me-up or a mid-day snack, reach for a frappe and enjoy!

Photo from Wikipedia