Coffee lovers, October 7 gives us another reason to enjoy one of the coolest ways to get our caffeine fix. National Frappe Day celebrates the frappe—a cold, refreshing coffee drink that can be simple and frothy or transformed into a decadent creation topped with whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, and countless other flavors.
Whether you prefer a traditional Greek-style frappe, a blended coffee-shop version, or a homemade creation loaded with your favorite ingredients, National Frappe Day is a great excuse to treat yourself.
What Is a Frappe?
The word frappé comes from French and can mean chilled or iced. However, what you receive when ordering a frappe can vary considerably depending on where you are.
One of the best-known versions is the Greek frappé, typically made with instant coffee, water, sugar if desired, and ice. The ingredients are shaken or blended until the coffee develops its signature thick layer of foam.
In the United States, the term frappe is often used more broadly for cold coffee drinks that may include coffee, milk, ice, syrups, whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, or other sweet ingredients.
Some versions are closer to iced coffee, while others resemble a coffee milkshake.
That variety is part of what makes the frappe so much fun.
The Accidental Birth of the Greek Frappé
One of the most interesting stories surrounding the frappe comes from Greece.
The Greek frappé is generally traced to 1957 and the Thessaloniki International Fair. The drink is associated with Dimitris Vakondios, who was working at the fair and reportedly wanted his usual instant coffee but couldn’t get hot water.
Instead, he mixed instant coffee with cold water and ice in a shaker.
The result was a cold, foamy coffee beverage that eventually became enormously popular throughout Greece.
Sometimes the best creations begin with improvisation.
From Simple Coffee to Dessert in a Cup
While the traditional Greek version can be incredibly simple, modern frappes have evolved into an entire category of drinks.
Walk into a coffee shop today and you might encounter combinations such as:
- Mocha frappe
- Caramel frappe
- Vanilla frappe
- Pumpkin spice frappe
- Hazelnut frappe
- Cookies-and-cream frappe
- Chocolate chip frappe
- Salted caramel frappe
- Peppermint mocha frappe
And that is only the beginning.
Coffee, milk, ice, flavored syrups, sauces and toppings allow you to create nearly endless combinations.
For someone who loves experimenting with drinks, the frappe is essentially a blank canvas.
Frappe vs. Frappuccino
These names are sometimes used interchangeably, but they aren’t exactly the same thing.
Frappe is a general term used for various chilled or blended beverages.
Frappuccino, meanwhile, is a trademarked name associated with Starbucks’ line of blended beverages.
A frappe can therefore come in many forms and isn’t tied to one particular coffee company or recipe.
A Simple Homemade Coffee Frappe
You don’t need expensive equipment or a trip to a coffee shop to celebrate National Frappe Day.
Try this simple version at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chilled strong coffee
- 1 cup ice
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1–2 tablespoons sugar or sweetener
- 1 tablespoon chocolate or caramel syrup, optional
- Whipped cream, optional
Directions
Add the chilled coffee, ice, milk and sweetener to a blender.
Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and frothy.
Pour into a tall glass.
For a sweeter treat, drizzle chocolate or caramel syrup over the drink and finish it with whipped cream.
You can easily adjust the recipe by adding more coffee for a stronger flavor, more milk for creaminess, or additional ice for a thicker consistency.
Try a Greek-Style Frappe
If you’ve never tried the Greek version, National Frappe Day is a perfect opportunity.
You’ll need instant coffee, cold water, ice and optional sugar and milk.
Combine approximately 2 teaspoons of instant coffee with a small amount of cold water and your preferred amount of sugar. Shake vigorously in a sealed shaker or use a handheld frother until a thick foam develops.
Pour the foam into a tall glass, add ice and more cold water, then add milk if desired.
The result is much lighter and foamier than the dessert-like blended frappes many Americans know.
Make Your Own Frappe Bar
If you’re celebrating with family, friends or coworkers, turn National Frappe Day into an activity by creating a frappe bar.
Start with coffee, milk and ice and provide different ingredients people can use to customize their drinks.
Try chocolate syrup, caramel sauce, vanilla syrup, cinnamon, cocoa powder, chocolate chips, crushed cookies, whipped cream or flavored coffee creamers.
You could even have everyone create a signature frappe and vote on the most creative combination.
You Don’t Have to Love Coffee to Join the Fun
Although coffee is strongly associated with frappes, you can make caffeine-free and coffee-free versions too.
Try blending milk and ice with chocolate, vanilla, strawberries, bananas or cookies.
Kids can have their own dessert-style frappe while adults enjoy the coffee versions.
You can also use decaffeinated coffee if you love the coffee flavor but want to reduce your caffeine intake.
Celebrate at Your Favorite Coffee Shop
National Frappe Day is also a good excuse to support a local coffee shop.
Instead of ordering your usual drink, look for something you’ve never tried before. Ask about seasonal flavors or create your own combination.
October is especially fun because fall flavors are everywhere.
Consider trying combinations featuring:
Pumpkin + caramel
Apple + cinnamon
Maple + vanilla
Mocha + hazelnut
Caramel + cinnamon
Chocolate + pumpkin spice
You might discover a new favorite.
Why We Love Frappes
Part of the frappe’s appeal is customization.
Some people want a strong coffee flavor with minimal sweetness. Others want something rich enough to qualify as dessert.
Both can be frappes.
They can also be refreshing on a hot afternoon, an occasional sweet treat, an alternative to traditional hot coffee, or simply something fun to make at home.
Few coffee drinks offer quite as much room for creativity.
National Frappe Day Is October 7
Every October 7, National Frappe Day gives coffee lovers an opportunity to celebrate this cold and wonderfully customizable drink.
Keep it traditional with instant coffee, water and ice. Blend up a creamy caramel creation. Cover your glass in chocolate syrup and whipped cream. Or invent a completely new flavor.
There really isn’t one perfect way to celebrate.
The important part is pouring yourself something cold, frothy and delicious.
Happy National Frappe Day!
What’s your perfect frappe flavor—mocha, caramel, vanilla, pumpkin spice, or something completely different?
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