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Frappé: sådan laver du den perfekte iskaffe
Written by Jonas Munch Schmidt-AndersenUpdated / Coffee / 5 minutes

Frappé: how to make the perfect iced coffee

A frappé is a cold, frothy coffee drink that you whisk or blend to achieve its characteristic, airy foam layer. It's quick to make, easy to vary, and perfect on a warm day when a steaming hot cup just doesn't hit the spot. Here's our simple frappé recipe, the best variations, and why the beans at the bottom determine how good your iced coffee really is.

In short, a frappé is cold coffee that is whipped or blended with ice to make it thick and foamy. The classic Greek version is made from instant coffee, water, a little sugar, and ice cubes. If you want more flavor, you can use freshly brewed, chilled espresso or filter coffee instead.

What is a frappé?

Frappé means "chilled" or "iced"; the word comes from the French frapper, which means "to strike" or "to beat." And that's exactly what happens: the coffee is beaten or whipped until it froths.

The most well-known version is the Greek frappé, invented in Greece in the 1950s, and it's traditionally made from instant coffee, cold water, sugar, and ice, shaken or whipped into a thick foam layer. Today, however, "frappé" covers an entire family of cold, frothy coffee drinks, from the classic Greek to more dessert-like, blended versions with milk and ice.

The short answer to what a frappé is made of: coffee, water or milk, a little sweetness, and ice. The rest is taste and imagination.

Frappé vs. Iced Coffee: What's the Difference?

It's easy to confuse the two, as they are both cold coffee drinks. The difference lies in their texture and preparation:

Frappé
Texture: Thick, foamy, airy
Preparation: Whisked, shaken, or blended
Coffee base: Instant or chilled brew
Typical serving: In a tall glass with a foam layer

Iced Coffee
Texture: Liquid, without foam
Preparation: Poured over ice
Coffee base: Chilled espresso or filter coffee
Typical serving: In a glass with ice cubes

In short: all frappé is a type of iced coffee, but not all iced coffee is frappé. The defining characteristic of a frappé is the foam, which you only get when the coffee is whipped or blended.

Frappé recipe, how to make it

You don't need professional equipment to make a good frappé. A shaker, a small hand mixer, or a blender is plenty. Here is our simple version for one glass:

Strong coffee (chilled espresso or instant): 1-2 dl
Cold water or milk: 1 dl
Sugar or syrup (optional): 1-2 tsp
Ice cubes: A handful

How to:

  1. Brew a strong coffee – for example, a double shot of espressoand let it cool. If you have time, make it the day before and put it in the fridge.
  2. Pour coffee, water (or milk), and optionally sugar into a shaker or blender.
  3. Shake or blend vigorously for 20–30 seconds until the drink is thick and foamy.
  4. Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the frappé over. Serve with a straw.

That's the whole secret behind how to make frappé: whip air into the coffee and serve it ice cold.

Variations you can try

  • Vanilla frappé: add a little vanilla syrup or a couple of drops of vanilla extract.
  • Plant-based: use oat or almond milk instead of dairy milk for a creamy, mild version.
  • Dark and intense: use a chocolatey espresso and skip the sweetness.
  • Low caffeine: brew the coffee a little weaker, or use a cup of chilled filter coffee instead of espresso.

Our best tips for a good frappé

As with all coffee drinks, the quality of the beans makes all the difference. A frappé doesn't hide bad coffee; it actually highlights it because it's served cold, where the flavor notes clearly stand out.

  • Use freshly roasted coffee. We roast in our own roastery in Copenhagen and always send coffee roasted within the last 10 days.
  • Choose a bean with a flavor you love. A chocolatey, nutty espresso makes a round, dessert-like frappé, while a more fruity coffee provides freshness.
  • Make the coffee in advance. Chilled, freshly brewed coffee tastes much better than lukewarm coffee you pour ice into.

If you want to find your own favorite bean for iced coffee, you can explore our beans here.

A frappé is one of the easiest places to start if you want to get into cold coffee at home: few ingredients, no advanced technique, and plenty of room to make it your own. And when the foundation is a freshly roasted bean you truly like, even the simplest iced coffee becomes something special. Be curious, experiment, that's how we feel about coffee.

FAQ

What does frappé mean?

The word comes from French frapper, "to strike" or "to chill". It refers to the coffee being whipped and served ice cold.
Which coffee is best suited for frappé?

An espresso with body and sweetness works really well because it retains its flavor even when served cold and diluted with ice. You can find our espresso beans here.
Should milk be added to a frappé?

No. The classic Greek frappé is made with water. Milk or plant-based drinks create a creamier, more dessert-like version, it's entirely up to your taste.

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