Frappés are a classic, cool drink that can be made many ways, with or without coffee. The café frappé has its origins in the 19th century and was invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Trade Fair by a Nestlé worker. Many people associate frappés with coffee, but the truth is a frappé can be any beverage made with tea, juice or even hot chocolate. The drink is popular in coffee shops and homes everywhere. In this post we’ll explain what a frappé is, how it’s different to other drinks and answer the question: does a frappé have coffee?
What is a Frappé?
A frappé is an iced, foamy drink that’s shaken, mixed, blended or beaten to make a cool drink. A frappé is an iced beverage that is shaken, blended, or beaten to create a refreshing and foamy drink. It’s always served cold so it’s perfect for hot days. One of the key characteristics of a frappé is its thick, creamy texture which is achieved by blending or shaking the ingredients for longer than other cold drinks, creating substantial foam. A frappé is a refreshing drink served cold, often with whipped cream and various toppings.
Although coffee is a common ingredient in frappés, it’s not always necessary. The drink can be customized to your taste so it can also be made with tea, juice, milk, ice cream or hot chocolate instead of coffee.
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How Frappés are Different to Other Drinks
While frappés are similar to ice, to iced coffee or smoothies in many ways, they are different in several ways.
- Texture: One of the main differences between a frappé and other iced drinks is the texture. A frappé is blended or shaken for longer than a smoothie or iced cappuccino to create lots of foam. It’s not just cold and smooth but also frothy and creamy. Crushed ice is often used to achieve the desired texture.
- Blending Method: Frappés are usually made by shaking the ingredients in a cocktail shaker or using a blender to get a smooth and frothy consistency. Iced coffee is just brewed coffee poured over ice, no blending. Smoothies are blended but have a different texture because of the fruit or yogurt, whereas a frappé is all about ice and liquid. Sugar milk can be added to enhance the flavor of the frappé.
- Serving Style: Iced coffee is served without blending and without toppings like whipped cream. Frappés are often served with indulgent toppings like whipped cream, chocolate syrup or caramel drizzle in a cup with a straw. Sweet sauces like chocolate syrup or caramel drizzle can be added as toppings.
Coffee Frappé Recipe with Crushed Ice
The original coffee frappé is a nice treat for coffee lovers. The first frappé recipe was invented when a worker couldn’t find any hot water and instead mixed instant coffee with cold water and ice. The first frappé recipe has simple ingredients you can find at home:
- Instant coffee (or freshly brewed coffee)
- Cold water
- Ice cubes
- Milk or cream
- Sugar or sweetener (to taste)
The concept of a chocolate beverage produced instantly was also part of the innovation that led to the creation of the frappé.
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How to Make a Coffee Frappé with Instant Coffee:
- Dissolve instant coffee and sugar in a little cold water.
- Blend with ice cubes and cold water or milk until frothy and creamy.
- Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream and any toppings you like, chocolate sauce or caramel.
Coffee frappés can be made in different flavors and variations like using espresso for a stronger coffee taste or Arabica beans for a smoother flavor. Some recipes also include guar gum, sugar or xanthan gum to get a thicker, smoother texture.
Iced Coffee vs Frappé
While both iced coffee and frappés are cold coffee drinks, there are some differences between the two. A frappé is a frappe coffee, a blended iced drink that is particularly popular during warmer months.
- Blending: Iced coffee is brewed and served over ice without blending. Frappé is blended to get its frothy, creamy texture.
- Water Temperature: Iced coffee is made with hot brewed coffee poured over ice, whereas coffee frappé is made with cold water from the start to maintain its cold, refreshing quality.
- Toppings and Texture: Iced coffee doesn’t have whipped cream, syrup and toppings like frappés. Iced coffee is smooth but not foamy, whereas frappé’s signature is its thick foam.
Frappé Variations with Whipped Cream
While the coffee frappé is the most popular, there are many more variations.
- Tea-Based Frappés: Matcha frappés or chai frappés, a creamy and refreshing twist on tea drinks.
- Juice or Fruit Frappés: More like smoothies, blending juice or fresh fruit with ice and milk for a sweet and tangy drink.
- Hot Chocolate Frappé: A chocolate lover’s treat, cold chocolate milk with ice and cream. A chocolate beverage can also be made by mixing chocolate powder with milk, highlighting its significance in the development of cold coffee drinks.
- Flavored Frappés: You can add chocolate, caramel or flavored syrup like vanilla or hazelnut. Some even add chunks of fruit or cookies for texture.
The possibilities are endless and the frappé can accommodate different tastes and dietary needs.
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Coffee in Frappés
Coffee is the main ingredient in many frappé recipes especially in the original coffee frappé. But the amount and type of coffee used can vary greatly. Instant coffee is used for convenience but some recipes require freshly brewed coffee or espresso shots for a stronger, richer coffee flavor.
For those who love coffee but want a lighter drink, the coffee to milk ratio can be adjusted to make the frappé less strong. Or for a more intense coffee experience, espresso can be used as the base for frappe here.
Not all frappés are coffee based. Whether you’re in the mood for a fruity tea-based frappé or a chocolatey vanilla one, it can be very tasty and can be modified to your liking.
Conclusion
Frappés are versatile and refreshing drinks that can be made in many ways. Coffee is a popular ingredient in frappés but it’s not the only one. You can make a frappé with tea, juice or hot chocolate and customize it with your favorite sweeteners ice cream, toppings and flavors. Whether you’re a coffee lover or non-caffeine drinker, frappés is a delicious and creamy treat for any time of the year
