Nothing says Kalimera -“good morning”- like a whipped and foamy Greek Frappe. I think of it like an iced cappuccino meets cold brew – but better. (OK, maybe I’m biased, but once you try this recipe I hope you’ll agree with me!)
What I love most about the Greek version of iced coffee (in addition to the interesting history behind it) is how little time goes into making them since they’re made with instant coffee. Seriously, the duration between starting the recipe and sipping your drink can be less than 1 minute. As a former barista who feels like a shell of myself until I get a few sips of caffeine in my system, this is not to be overlooked. In fact, I’m so spoiled by Greek Frappes that it feels like an eternity when I wait for a traditional pot of coffee to brew. Plus, I love not having to deal with coffee grounds or dirty coffee pots, so it’s basically a lazy person’s dream – cough cough, me!
See below for the ingredients you need for a Greek Frappe + step-by-step directions from start to finish. Hope you enjoy it!
Greek Frappe, pronounced Frah-PEH, Ingredients:
- Instant coffee packet (~3/4 of a tablespoon) -I love this Nescafe Classic instant coffee)
- 1/2 cup of cold water + a little more depending on your preference
- Ice
- OPTIONAL: 1-4 tsps of sugar
- OPTIONAL: Milk of choice – I like oat milk or almond milk, but really any milk will do!
Step by Step Process: How to Make a Greek Frappe
1. Froth Instant Coffee + Cold Water + Sugar
Combine 1/2 cup of cold water, instant coffee, and however much sugar you want to a milk frother. You can also use a cocktail shaker or even a hand whisker – but it may not get quite as whippy of a texture.
Here’s how Greek typically order their frappes in Greece:
- “Sketo” which means “plain” / no sugar
- “Metrio” which means “moderate” or “a little sugar” / 1-2 teaspoons of sugar (this is my preference)
- “Glyko” which means “sweet” / 2+ teaspoons of sugar
2. Put Ice in Your Cup
As the coffee froths in my milk frother, I’ll fill up my glass about a third to half-way with ice cubes.
3. Combine + Add Milk
Combine the coffee to your glass with ice cubes. There should be a nice whipped texture at the top. Then, you can add more water to fill the glass or add some milk of your choice for a creamier drink.
That’s it! Let me know if you try this recipe in the comments or if you have a different variation you enjoy. I’m always looking for new coffee creations to spice up my morning routine.