A little foam. A slower coffee ritual.
While our daily grind usually revolves around dark roasts, heavy mugs, and fresh drip coffee, genuine coffee craft means respecting authentic traditions from around the globe. When the heat hits, few drinks match the straightforward simplicity of the traditional Greek frappé.
The traditional Greek frappé uses instant coffee whipped with a little cold water, then finished with ice and the remaining water. Sugar and milk are optional.
Here is how to prepare the classic serving at home in three minutes.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 tsp instant coffee
• 250 ml cold water total: 30 ml to foam, 220 ml to finish
• 3 ice cubes
• Optional: 2 tsp sugar
• Optional: 1 tbsp evaporated milk
PREPARATION DETAILS
• Yield: 1 serving
• Prep time: 3 minutes
• Cook time: 0 minutes
STEP-BY-STEP METHOD
- Combine the instant coffee, optional sugar, and 30 ml of cold water in a cocktail shaker or tall mixing vessel.
- Shake vigorously or use a handheld frother until a thick, uniform foam forms.
- Transfer the mixture to a tall serving glass if you used a shaker. Add the 3 ice cubes and optional evaporated milk, followed by the remaining 220 ml of cold water.
- Stir gently and serve with a straw. Always ensure your serving glass is large enough to comfortably accommodate the water, ice, and expanded foam volume.
KEEP THE METHOD SIMPLE
Use instant coffee for this recipe. A version made with brewed coffee would be a different preparation, not a direct substitution in these steps.
Take your time with it. Pour the final water slowly, sit back, and enjoy a time-tested cold ritual.
Can I use freshly brewed ground coffee instead of instant coffee?
This recipe is written for instant coffee. Do not substitute ground coffee. A brewed-coffee adaptation needs its own method and proportions.
How long does it take to prepare a Greek frappé?
Preparation requires approximately 3 minutes of hands-on time and 0 minutes of cooking time.
