What Is A Frappe Vs A Frappuccino: A Tale Of Two Iced Coffees

A traditional frappé is a delicious and refreshing drink that every iced coffee lover should have in their repertoire.

You’re not alone if you’re confused about the difference between a frappe and a frappuccino. After all, they’re both iced coffee drinks and have “frapp” in the name; how different can they be? Well, as it turns out, there are quite a few distinctions between these two popular cold coffees.

This article will teach you about the frappe, including where it comes from, how to make it, and how it compares to the Frappuccino.

What Is A Frappe?

A frappe (also called a frappe coffee, café frappé, Greek frappe, or Greek coffee) is a shaken iced coffee drink invented in Greece in the 1950s, though the name derives from the French word for “shaken” (1). 

Sugar is optional but is often added to counteract the bitterness of freeze-dried coffee. Less often, milk or evaporated milk is added for a richer, creamier drink.

Famously, the original frappe was invented by a Nescafe representative, Dimitris Vakondios, in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair in Greece. Vakondios hoped to enjoy his usual instant coffee on his break, but he couldn’t find any hot water. Instead, he stumbled across a shaker that Nescafé was marketing at the time for a children’s instant chocolate drink. He added cool water and instant coffee granules to the shaker, and the frappe was born! As the cliche goes, necessity is the mother of invention.

The café frappé continues to be one of the most popular ways to consume coffee in Greece and nearby Cyprus. It has spread worldwide, especially to countries with a high percentage of Greek immigrants.

What Does A Frappe Taste Like?

A frappe tastes like a strong, sweet iced coffee, with the specific flavor notes dictated by your choice of instant coffee and quantity of sugar. The defining feature of the frappe is its frothy texture, achieved by shaking the ingredients.

Can A Frappe Be Hot?

A frappe is always served cold. After all, a lack of hot water prompted its creation. For a warm drink with similar qualities, try the trendy Korean Dalgona whipped coffee (3). It uses the same base ingredients as a frappe to create a stable foam but can be poured over hot or cold milk.

What Is The Difference Between A Frappe And A Frappuccino?

Aside from their similar names and the fact that both are types of iced coffees best enjoyed on a hot day, the frappe and Frappuccino have little else in common.

While the frappe is Greek, the Frappuccino is an American invention. Its name is a portmanteau of frappe and cappuccino. It was first served in a New England coffee shop chain owned by specialty coffee pioneer George Howell. The chain, and the rights to the Frappuccino along with it, was purchased by Starbucks in the ‘90s. 

Another difference is that Frappuccinos are blended drinks, whereas frappes are shaken or whisked. This gives the Frappuccino a different texture, more like a smoothie or milkshake than a coffee.

Finally, Frappuccinos use a base of espresso or a coffee-free concoction Starbucks calls a crème. No instant coffee is involved. While a Frappuccino can be simple, it is more often enriched with things like flavored syrups and confections and served with whipped cream on top.

To learn more, you can read our article on how to make a Frappuccino at home.

Confusingly, New England has its own definition of the frappe, which is a thick milkshake containing vanilla ice cream. This American version lends its name to the portmanteau Frappuccino, so there is no connection to the original Greek version.

How To Make A Frappé (The Greek One)

A frappe is one of the simplest coffee beverages to make at home. You don’t need a blender, espresso machine, or other special equipment. Nor do you need the patience to wait for hot coffee to cool or for cold brew coffee to steep. 

What’s In A Frappe?

A frappe is made with instant coffee, cold water, and (usually) sugar. To prepare one serving, start with 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, 2 tablespoons of cold water, and sugar to taste.

Vigorously mix the coffee, water, and sugar using a cocktail mixer, frother, or mason jar until you have an airy foam. Pour the foam over ice cubes or crushed ice in a chilled tall glass. Top it off with water, cold milk, or a mix of both. In Greece, evaporated milk is common.

 In Greece, you order your frappe based on the ratio of sugar to instant coffee.

• Sketos is a plain frappe without sugar or milk, best for those who like their coffee bold and bitter.
• Metrios uses equal parts sugar and coffee.
• Glykos uses twice as much sugar as coffee, best for those with a sweet tooth.

To properly replicate the Greek coffee culture at home, take your time enjoying your frappe (2).

The frappe has become emblematic of this ritual because the foam is very long-lasting. Constantinopoulos adds, “The foam endures as long as the sipper wants it to.”

Final Thoughts

Now that you know what separates a frappe from a frappuccino, you can safely order your favorite at the coffee shop. Go for the Greek coffee frappe if you want a shaken iced drink made using instant coffee and ice cubes. If you want a blended espresso drink with a smoothie consistency, head to Starbucks and order a Frappuccino.k made using instant coffee and ice cubes. If you want a blended espresso drink with a smoothie consistency, head to Starbucks and order a Frappuccino.