Exploring Coffee Drinks Around The World – Greek Coffee Frappe

Among all the different and specialty iced coffee, there’s one iced coffee made simply from instant coffee granules, water, sugar if you choose, and ice.

Maybe you already guessed, it’s the Greek Frappe.

Even though the popularity of the specialty coffee made the Greek Frappe less known to the new generations of coffee drinkers and enthusiasts, still it’s very popular and still existing almost everywhere in Greece.

Some say it’s the most refreshing iced coffee, and some won’t agree.

I know I used to drink it when I was younger and it was one of the first coffee drinks I’ve tasted in my life. Until this day, I’m still making it especially when I want the drink to be ready fast.

Here follows some short history of the Greek Frappe and the recipe, and you decide should you make it or it’s not your type.

What Is Greek Frappe Coffee (Greek Iced Coffee)?

Greek frappe coffee is an iced coffee made using instant coffee (Nescafe) and water, that has been shaken to produce a foamy, and refreshing drink. You can add ice cubes after beating the coffee and also sugar and milk, according to preference. Greek iced coffee can be “sketos”, “metrios”, “glykos”, ‘me gala”, according to the proportions of the ingredients and personal preference.

• “Sketos” (plain, no sugar, no milk): If you like your frappe coffee without sugar and milk, then add only 1-2 tsps of instant coffee, depending on how strong you want your coffee, and cold water.
• “Metrios” (medium sweetness) : 1-2 tsps of instant coffee, depending on how strong you want your coffee, 1-2 tsps of sugar (equal amount of coffee and sugar)
• “Glykos” (sweet) : 1-2 tsps of instant coffee, depending on how strong you want your coffee, 2-4 tsps of sugar (double the amount of sugar than coffee)
• “Me gala” (with milk) : 1 tbsp evaporated milk (the amount of milk can vary according to preference)

History Of Greek Frappe Coffee

Greek frappe or Nescafe frappe was invented in 1957 in Thessaloniki at the International Trade Fair, where Yannis Dritsas, the representative of the Nestlé Company was exhibiting a new product for children. The product was a chocolate beverage, which was produced instantly by mixing with milk and shaking it in a shaker.

Dimitris Vakondios (Dritsas’ employee) was looking for a way to make hot instant coffee during his break, but couldn’t find hot water. So he decided to mix the instant coffee with water and ice cubes in a shaker.

The drink that he got became one of the most popular coffee drinks in Greece until this day.

How To Make Greek Iced Coffee?

The best thing about the Greek Frappe is that you need very few ingredients and tools that you probably have at home already.

What You Need To Prepare Greek Frappe?

• 1 – 2 tea spoons Instant coffee (Nescafe)
• Sugar (by preference)
• Milk of your choice (evaporated milk, dairy or non dairy milk)
• Ice cubes
• Cold water
• Drinking straw
• Frappe mixer (any hand-held or electric mixer, cocktail shaker, or jar with lid will do the work)
• Tall glass

Direction For Preparing Greek Frappe

1. Add 1 – 2 spoons of instant coffee to the tall glass, and sugar if you prefer
2. Add 1 shot of cold water to the coffee and start mixing
3. Mix until you get a thick, creamy texture of the coffee
4. Add ice cubes and milk if you like
5. Fill the rest of the glass with water
6. Serve with drinking straw

That’s it, you made your own Greek Frappe and now you can enjoy the rest of the hot day. To be honest, it’s good even on cold days, just with less ice.

Final Words From Me

One thing I love about this coffee drink is that it’s really easy and fast to make, it’s good with or without milk, and you can find instant coffee everywhere.

It’s been good for me when on vacation, the hotel rooms usually have small bags of nescafe, so it’s nice, refreshing coffee you can make it with no equipment.

How about you?

Have You Tried Greek Iced Coffee Yet?

And now that you know how to make it, would you give it a try?

Tell me in the comments, I would love to hear from you.

And don’t forget to share this article with friends and family, someone might find it useful.

Enjoy Your Coffee!