Greek Frappé
Ingredients
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- 2 teaspoons instant coffee
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cups cold water
- 1 cups ice cubes
- 1/4 cups cold water – to top up the glass
- 1/4 cups evaporated milk
Instructions
1. Place the instant coffee, granulated sugar, and 0.25 cups cold water in a cocktail shaker with a tight-fitting lid or a tall jar with a lid.
2. Seal the shaker and shake vigorously for 20–30 seconds, until the mixture is very foamy and thick and the sugar is dissolved.
3. Fill a tall glass about three-quarters full with the ice cubes.
4. Pour the coffee foam over the ice, scraping out all the thick foam from the shaker into the glass.
5. Add about 0.25 cups more cold water to the shaker, swirl to collect any remaining coffee, then pour this over the foam and ice to nearly fill the glass.
6. Pour the evaporated milk slowly into the glass to taste, letting it swirl through the coffee and foam.
7. Insert a straw, give the drink a gentle stir to loosen the foam slightly, and serve immediately while very cold.
Greek Frappé is a frothy iced coffee drink with a light, airy foam on top and a cold, refreshing body underneath. It is made with instant coffee, sugar, and cold water shaken or whipped to create its signature thick head of foam, then poured over ice and finished with water and often milk. The resulting flavor is boldly caffeinated, pleasantly bitter-sweet, and highly customizable in sweetness and creaminess. Its texture is what sets it apart: the foam is long-lasting and velvety, while the liquid beneath stays chilled and bracing.
Historically, the Greek Frappé emerged in the late 1950s in Thessaloniki, reportedly discovered by accident at a trade fair when instant coffee was shaken with cold water. It quickly became a hallmark of Greek café culture, enjoyed slowly at outdoor cafés and beachside spots across the country. Over the decades it evolved into a national coffee ritual, with standard sweetness levels and milk options becoming embedded in everyday vocabulary. While newer espresso-based iced drinks have become popular, the Frappé remains a symbol of modern Greek social life and relaxed coffee breaks.