Cold coffees
Greek frappe
A Greek frappe is instant coffee, sugar and cold water shaken into a thick foam and served over ice. Light, frothy and refreshing.
- Ratio About 1 part instant coffee to 8 parts total liquid, to taste
- Serve 250 to 350 ml, cold, in a tall glass
- Grind Not applicable (instant coffee)
Written by the KAIVO team, Mumbai. Last updated 4 November 2026. Cite as: KAIVO, "Greek frappe", kaivo.in/pages/drink-greek-frappe
The frappe is a Greek cold coffee made from instant coffee, sugar and water shaken or whisked until a thick foam forms, then poured over ice, with milk if you like. Many accounts say it was invented by accident in Thessaloniki in 1957 when a salesman could not find hot water. It is made with instant coffee, but you can make a similar drink with a very strong fresh brew.
How it is made
- 01
Put 2 teaspoons of instant coffee, sugar to taste and 2 tablespoons of cold water in a shaker or jar.
- 02
Shake hard, or whisk with a hand frother, until thick and foamy.
- 03
Fill a tall glass with ice.
- 04
Pour the foam over the ice and top with cold water or milk.
- 05
Serve with a straw.
Brew it with Cold brew, Espresso machine
A KAIVO blend for this
The Slow Charge
With fresh coffee instead of instant, The Slow Charge has milk chocolate, apricot and caramel notes, which keep a cold, milky drink smooth.
Medium roast, tasting of milk chocolate, apricot, caramel.
See The Slow ChargeQuestions
Can I make a frappe without instant coffee?
Yes. Use a very strong coffee, such as 2 shots of espresso or a moka pot, and shake it with ice and sugar. It will not foam as thickly, but it will taste better.
Is a frappe the same as a frappuccino?
No. A Greek frappe is a simple shaken instant coffee. A frappuccino is a blended drink sold by a coffee chain.