What is a Frappe (Plus 6 Recipes to Try Out!)

By Shabbir
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A frappe is a special type of iced coffee, which originates from Greece. The special type of coffee can be made with a coffee shaker and a dedicated hand mixer. The frappe is made with one or two teaspoons of instant coffee, sugar, and water to create the foam blend. Once the mixture is poured into a large glass, cold water and ice cubes are added.

Alternatively, cold water could be changed for milk. Then, the cool coffee is served with a straw.

When you are a true coffee fanatic, you are constantly looking for new things to try. If you are not familiar with the frappe just yet, this may be the perfect new addition to your coffee arsenal. Read on to find out more about the frappe and why you should have it!

Where Does the Frappe Come From?

The history of the frappe can be traced back to the 19th century. However, the Greek frappe was invented in 1957 and presented at the International Trade Fair in Thessaloniki. The inventor of the unique beverage was Dimitris Vakondios, a representative for Nestle.

As is the case with all wonderful inventions, the invention of the frappe was an accident. Originally, the Dimitris supervisor Giannis Dritsas was looking to create an exciting new product for children. He wanted to make an instant chocolate drink, which would involve the use of a shaker.

During his break, Dimitris was looking for his instant coffee, but did not have access to hot water. Instead, he ended up using cold water and ice cubes in a shaker. The result was the frappe, a beverage that is now popular across the world!

How Is the Frothy Top of the Frappe Created?

The frothy top of the frappe is a side-effect of the spray-dried instant coffee used to create the frappe. Instant coffee does not contain any oil, and it is this characteristic that allows for a frothy top for a frappe.

Are There Different Types of Frappe?

There are certainly different types of frappe, because coffee makers across the world are constantly looking for ways to make this traditional beverage even better. Certain countries around the world want to make the frappe their own, which has led to the Frappuccino in the United States.

Is a Frappe the Same Thing as a Smoothie?

The frappe is not the same as a smoothie, because there is a distinction between coffee drinks and smoothies. Compared to a smoothie, the frappe is blended for a longer time. The blending process of the frappe and the smoothie is quite different from each other too.

Do You Have Any Recipes for Homemade Frappe?

Coffee drinkers who are extremely fond of frappe should pay extra attention to the following section, because we are about to disclose some amazing homemade frappe recipes. So, if you want to add anything special to your repertoire, be sure to try out any of the recipes below.

Related:

For another refreshing cold coffee, try cold brew!

The Raspberry & Truffle Frappe

A raspberry & truffle frappe may take a little longer to make than most coffees, it is certainly worth spending some time on. Below, you will find the ingredients for this delicious frappe and the instructions on how to make it!

You will need:

  • 14 ice cubes;
  • cup of fresh raspberries;
  • 50 grams of hot fudge;
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar;
  • teaspoon of vanilla extract;
  • cup of whole milk;
  • cup of water;
  • 3 tablespoons of ground expresso or another dark roast coffee you love.

To make the raspberry & truffle frappe:

Put the ice cubes, raspberries, hot fudge, sugar, vanilla extract and whole milk into the blender. Then, prepare the coffee with the water and 3 tablespoons of ground espresso. Mix both mixtures and enjoy!

The Banana Split Frap with Mocha

Coffee lovers who also like banana flavors may find that this recipe is their new favorite. It is one of the sweeter frappes, but still has an overwhelming coffee taste for true coffeeholics!

You will need:

  • 7 ice cubes;
  • of vanilla ice cream;
  • banana;
  • 1 tablespoon of hot fudge;
  • cup of whole milk;
  • cup of water;
  • 3 tablespoons of your favorite dark roast coffee.

To make the banana split frap with mocha:

Before you add your ingredients to the blender, first make the coffee with cup of water and 3 tablespoons of your favorite dark roast coffee. Once you have made the coffee, add the ice cubes, vanilla ice cream, banana, 1 tablespoon of hot fudge, and the milk to the blender. Blend until you have a consistent mixture. Then, add the coffee and the blender mixture to a shaker. Serve child and garnish with some banana slices or a chocolate biscuit if required.

The Cherry Surprise Frappe

Coffee lovers could also combine their favorite iced coffee with some cherries, because the Cherry Surprise Frappe is certainly a beverage you cannot pass on. Not only does it give you your daily caffeine fix, it also ensures you get all those good vitamins!

You will need:

  • 8 ice cubes;
  • 1 cup of vanilla ice cream;
  • cup of fresh cherries;
  • 2 tablespoons of sugar;
  • 1 teaspoon of kirsch;
  • cup of water;
  • 3 tablespoons of dark roast coffee.

To make the Cherry Surprise Frappe:

Before you put the remaining ingredients in the blender, make up your iced coffee first. Simply add three tablespoons of dark roast coffee to cup of water. Then, make up the cherry blend by adding the ice cubes, vanilla ice cream, cherries, sugar and kirsch to the blender. When everything it blended perfectly, add the coffee and the cherry mixture to a shaker. Shake thoroughly before adding to a glass.

The Sweet Tooth Frappe

For anyone with a sweet tooth, we recommend the Sweet Tooth Frappe. For the Sweet Tooth Frappe, you will take advantage of some glorious sweet flavors; this includes caramel!

You will need:

  • 3 tablespoons of your favorite dark roast coffee;
  • cup of water;
  • 12 ice cubes;
  • cup of caramel syrup;
  • 3 tablespoons of frozen apple juice concentrate;
  • teaspoon of vanilla extract;
  • cup of whole milk.

To make the Sweet Tooth Frappe:

Start by making up the coffee. Simply mix three tablespoons of dark roast coffee with cup of water. Then, place your coffee on the side and start making the sweet mixture that will make the Sweet Tooth Frappe complete!

Add the ice cubes, caramel syrup, frozen apple juice concentrate, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the blender. Blend until sufficiently mixed. Then, add the coffee and the sweet mixture to a shaker. Shake sufficiently until blended perfectly.

The Caramel Cappuccino Frappe

A Caramel Cappuccino Frappe is another suitable frappe for a sweet tooth. Like our previous recommendation, this frappe contains a nice amount of caramel!

You will need:

  • 15 ice cubes;
  • cup of butterscotch & caramel sauce;
  • teaspoon vanilla extract;
  • cup of whole milk;
  • cup of water;
  • 3 tablespoons of dark roast coffee.

To make the Caramel Cappuccino Frappe:

First, make up the coffee by using the water and the dark roast coffee. Then, add the ice cubes, butterscotch & caramel dessert sauce, vanilla extract, and whole milk to the blender. Blend until smooth and then add the blended mixture to a shaker. Add the coffee and shake until evenly mixed. Serve chilled.

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Frappe

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Frappe is the best frappe for peanut butter fanatics. This delightful frappe contains a good amount of peanut butter, but also your favorite dark roast coffee!

You will need:

  • 3 tablespoons of your favorite dark roast coffee. Alternatively, you can also use 3 tablespoons of your favorite espresso;
  • cup of water;
  • 15 ice cubes;
  • 3 tablespoons of sugar;
  • 1.5 ounce of peanut butter cups;
  • cup of whole milk.

To make the Ultimate Peanut Butter Frappe:

Before you start making the peanut butter blend, you will need to make the base for this frappe – the coffee. Simply make it with a cup of water and three tablespoons of your favorite dark roast coffee or espresso.

Once you have made the coffee, leave it to the side and start making your peanut butter mixture. Add the ice cubes, sugar, peanut butter, and whole milk to a blender. Blend the mixture until smooth and evenly blended. Then add the peanut butter mixture and the coffee to a shaker and shake until blended completely.

If you like your Frappe on the go, check out the JavaSok for a mess-free experience!

Conclusion

When you are a true coffee fanatic, a good homemade frappe can make the difference in a day. With the recipes we provided, you can make a frappe to meet everyone’s personal preferences! Be sure to test them out and explore a different approach to the classic, Greek frappe.

Of course, a good frappe does require a decent amount of dark roast coffee and/or espresso. So, before you make any frappe, make sure you have the right dark roast coffee or espresso to make it with!

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About Shabbir

Shab is the Chief Caffeine Officer at Coffee Brewster. When he's not weighing out coffee beans for his next brew, you can find him writing about his passion: coffee.