Frappé Coffee: Blended Iced Coffee Drink & Recipe

Flavor And Tasting Notes

A frappé coffee is a blended iced drink combining chilled coffee, milk, sugar, and ice whipped until thick and creamy, much like a coffee milkshake. Often topped with whipped cream, it is sweet, frothy, and served cold as a dessert-style refreshment.

• Thick & creamy: A blended frappé coffee resembles a coffee milkshake. The combination of chilled coffee, milk and ice yields a thick, velvety texture.
• Sweet & indulgent: Sugar or flavored syrups (vanilla, caramel, chocolate) and sometimes ice cream make this drink dessert-like. You can adjust sweetness to taste.
• Coffee backbone: The coffee flavor is present but mellowed by milk and ice. Using strong brewed coffee or espresso ensures the flavor comes through.
• Finish: Topped with whipped cream and drizzles of syrup, it finishes sweet and satisfying, a treat as much as a beverage.

Preparation And Recipe

This blended frappé yields a 16 oz (475 ml) drink.

1. Chill coffee: Brew ½ cup (120 ml) of strong coffee or two shots of espresso and let it cool. For convenience, use cold brew concentrate.
2. Assemble ingredients: In a blender combine the chilled coffee, 1 cup (240 ml) of milk (dairy or plant-based), 1–2 tablespoons of sugar or flavored syrup, and 1 cup of ice. For a more indulgent drink, add a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream.
3. Blend: Blend on high until the mixture is smooth and frothy. If using ice cream, blend until just combined to maintain thickness.
4. Serve & top: Pour into a tall glass. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce. Garnish with cocoa powder or sprinkles.

Dialing In And Troubleshooting

• Too thin or watery: Use less milk or more ice/ice cream. Chill coffee thoroughly before blending; warm coffee will melt the ice.
• Overly sweet: Start with less sugar or syrup and add more to taste. Balance sweetness with a pinch of salt or by adding a strong espresso shot.
• Weak coffee flavor: Use strong coffee or espresso and consider freezing coffee into ice cubes to intensify flavor.
• Chunky texture: Blend longer or add a bit more liquid; break up ice cubes if your blender struggles. For a smoother texture, use crushed ice.

History And Culture

The term frappé derives from the French verb frapper, meaning “to beat” or “to chill,” and originally referred to drinks served over crushed ice. In the mid-1980s, a manager at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Westwood store experimented by blending diet powder, coffee and ice; he then replaced the diet powder with chocolate powder. The resulting Ice Blended drink became an instant hit and paved the way for modern blended frappé beverages. Starbucks later introduced the Frappuccino, a portmanteau of “frappé” and “cappuccino,” inspired by the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf creation. Today blended frappé drinks come in countless flavors and are beloved by those who prefer a sweet, frozen coffee treat. They are distinct from the Greek frappé, which relies on instant coffee and foam rather than blending.

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