3 Popular Greek Iced Coffee Drinks
In Greece and Cyprus it is a tradition to drink cold coffee all year round, and the most popular are Frappé, Freddo Espresso and Freddo Cappuccino.
I remember I found these names a bit confusing on my first visit to Greece over 10 years ago. Therefore, let me tell you what it is all about and how to make sure you make the right choice next time you are visiting Greece or Cyprus.
Let’s start with Frappé which is also called Nescafé Frappé, as it is prepared from instant coffee. The name comes from French, where frappé means chilled or iced. It was invented by Dimitris Vakondios who back in 1957, during his break at work could not find hot water for his regular instant coffee, and mixed it with some cold water and ice cubes in a shaker instead. You can find this drink in all local cafeterias in Greece and Cyprus, however not necessarily in foreign coffee franchises. Today it is prepared either in a shaker or in a frapediera; a special mixer which is also excellent for preparing cold milk foam and freddo.
Frappé can be prepared with or without milk, and also sweet (glykós; 2tsp of sugar), medium sweet (métrios; 1tsp of sugar) or without sugar (skétos).
Freddo comes from Italian and means cold, so Freddo Espresso is nothing else than an iced espresso and Freddo Cappuccino is an iced cappuccino. Freddo Espresso is made with a double shot of espresso with sugar and ice, or only with ice, mixed in a frapediera or shaker.
Freddo Espresso with a layer of cold milk foam is Freddo Cappuccino. Similarly to Frappé, Freddo Espresso & Freddo Cappuccino can be served sweet, medium sweet or without sugar.
If you would like to try one of the popular Greek iced coffees at home, I am going to show you how to make them.
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short glass with cold cappuccino coffee on pile of newspaper, image with overlay text for pinterest
How to make frappé
INGREDIENTS
∗ 2 tsp of instant coffee
∗ cold water
∗ ice cubes
∗ 1-2 tsp of sugar (optional)
∗ 50-100ml of whole milk (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
Using shaker
1. Place 2-3 tbsp of cold water, sugar (optional) and 2tsp of instant coffee in a shaker.
2. Cover and shake well for about 30 seconds.
3. Slowly pour the coffee mixture into a tall glass half-filled with ice cubes.
4. Fill the glass with cold water. If desired, add milk and serve immediately.
Using frapediera
1. Place 2 tbsp of cold water, sugar, 1-2tsp of instant coffee in a tall glass.
2. Mix for about 15-20 sec until it turns into thick foam.
3. Add a few ice cubes and fill the glass with cold water. If desired, add milk and serve immediately.
How to make freddo espresso & freddo cappuccino
INGREDIENTS
∗ double shot of espresso
∗ ice cubes
∗ 1-2 tsp of sugar (optional)
∗ 50ml of semi-skimmed or whole milk (for Freddo Cappuccino)
INSTRUCTIONS
Freddo Espresso
1. place sugar (optional) and about 4 ice cubes in a shaker or tall glass (I use inox shaker with strainer).
2. slowly pour espresso and using frapediera mix well for about 10-15 seconds (or shake well for about 30 seconds).
3. use the strainer to pour the coffee mixture into a tall glass half-filled with ice cubes.
4. serve immediately.
INSTRUCTIONS
Freddo Cappuccino
Making a cold foam is very simple, however the secret is to use very cold milk, especially if, like me, you prefer full fat milk which is more challenging to achieve perfect foam. What I normally do to succeed, before preparing my Freddo Cappuccino, I place a glass with desired quantity of milk in a freezer for about 20-25 minutes to chill, and after that time I continue as described below.
1. prepare Freddo Espresso (please see instructions above).
2. take out the milk from the freezer and using frapediera (or blender) mix well for about 15-20 sec, or until you see dense foam.
3. slowly pour the milk foam into your Freddo Espresso.
4. serve immediately and enjoy the taste of this fantastic coffee!
If you make one of these divine cold coffees, let me know by tagging me on Instagram or tell me all about it in the comments section down below. I’d love to hear your feedback! And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask!
Love,
Hi there & welcome to my kitchen!
I’m Katerina, a Food Photographer & a Pinterest Marketing Specialist. If you are passionate about photography and food, or would like to know more about Pinterest, you’ll find yourself at home here.
Freddo Cappuccino
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes:
Making a cold foam is very simple, however the secret is to use very cold milk, especially if, like me, you prefer full fat milk which is more challenging to achieve perfect foam. What I normally do to succeed, before preparing my Freddo Cappuccino, I place a glass with desired quantity of milk in a freezer for about 20-25 minutes to chill, and after that time I continue as described above.
Freddo Espresso
Ingredients
Instructions
