Do Frappes Count as Coffee? Unpacking the Blended Truth

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

The first modern frappé was famously created in 1957 by accident in Greece, made with instant coffee. This origin story fuels the debate, but do frappes count as coffee in all their modern forms, or has the term evolved to mean something else entirely?

Quick Summary

The inclusion of coffee in a frappe depends entirely on the recipe and regional variation. Traditional Greek frappes contain instant coffee, whereas many popular modern, commercial versions are often coffee-flavored and contain little to no real espresso.

Key Points

Origin Matters: The original Greek frappé, invented in 1957, is a coffee drink made with instant coffee.
Modern Variations Differ: Many contemporary frappes from fast-food chains or coffee shops contain little to no actual coffee, using coffee syrup or flavoring instead.
Blended, Not Brewed: The term 'frappe' originally means 'beaten' or 'chilled' in French and refers to the blending process, not the presence of coffee.
Frappuccino is a Brand: Starbucks' Frappuccino is a specific, trademarked blended beverage; while coffee versions exist, creme-based options are caffeine-free.
Read the Ingredients: The only way to know for sure if a frappe contains coffee is to check the ingredients or ask for an added espresso shot, as the name alone is no longer reliable.
Flavor vs. Ingredient: A frappe can be 'coffee-flavored' without containing actual brewed coffee, much like a milkshake can be coffee-flavored ice cream.

The Surprising Origin of the Frappé

To understand whether a frappé is coffee, one must first look to its roots. The drink was invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair. A Nescafé representative, Dimitrios Vakondios, wanted an instant coffee but could not find hot water. He improvised by mixing instant coffee with cold water and ice in a shaker, creating a frothy, cold beverage that became an instant sensation in Greece. This original Greek version, made with instant coffee, is undoubtedly a coffee drink. For decades, the name was synonymous with this specific, coffee-laden preparation.

Instant Coffee: The Traditional Foundation

The traditional Greek frappé is a minimalist coffee drink. It's built on a foundation of instant coffee, sugar, and a small amount of water shaken together to produce a thick, rich foam. This foam is then poured over ice cubes and topped with cold water and, optionally, milk. The coffee content is high, and the drink delivers a notable caffeine kick. In this context, the question of 'do frappes count as coffee' has a clear and resounding 'yes'.

Modern Frappes: From Coffee Drink to Dessert

Over the years, the term 'frappé' has been adopted and adapted by various cultures and commercial chains, leading to a significant divergence from the original recipe. This is where the confusion truly begins. A modern frappé, particularly in North America, is often seen as a blended, sweetened, and flavored dessert, not a serious coffee beverage. These versions frequently rely on pre-mixed bases and syrups rather than freshly brewed coffee or espresso shots.

The Rise of the Coffee-Flavored Frappe

Fast-food chains like McDonald's, as well as many independent cafes, offer variations where coffee is an optional or minor component. For example, a caramel frappe from a fast-food chain might use a coffee syrup or flavoring in a base of milk, cream, and ice, with an espresso shot available as an add-on. In these cases, the drink is coffee-flavored but not built around a core coffee ingredient. Other variations, like strawberry or vanilla bean frappes, contain no coffee at all.

Frappe vs. Frappuccino: A Brand Distinction

Another layer of complexity comes from the Frappuccino, a trademarked iced drink from Starbucks. While the name is similar and the drinks share a blended, iced characteristic, they are not the same. Starbucks coffee-based Frappuccinos use a special 'frap roast' instant coffee, milk, ice, and flavored syrups. The amount of actual coffee is relatively small compared to the other ingredients, leading many to categorize it as a dessert rather than a true coffee. They also offer creme-based Frappuccinos that are entirely caffeine-free. This demonstrates how the market has decoupled the term from its coffee roots.

The Ingredients That Define a Frappe

To determine if your specific frappe counts as coffee, examine its component parts. This is the most reliable method, as the name alone is no longer a guarantee. Many frappes are little more than a sweetened milkshakes with a coffee accent. The difference is stark when comparing a classic Greek preparation with a modern, commercial offering.

Common Ingredients in Frappes

Traditional Greek Frappé: Instant coffee, sugar, cold water, ice, optional milk.
Commercial/Dessert Frappes: Ice, milk, flavored syrup (mocha, caramel, etc.), blended base, whipped cream, coffee flavoring, optional espresso shots.

Frappe vs. Iced Coffee: A Comparison Table


Feature	Traditional Greek Frappé	Commercial Coffee Frappe	Traditional Iced Coffee
Core Coffee Ingredient	Instant coffee	Instant/coffee syrup or optional espresso	Freshly brewed coffee or espresso
Texture	Frothy and light	Thick, creamy, and slush-like	Smooth liquid
Dominant Flavor	Strong coffee	Sweet, dessert-like, and flavored	Strong coffee
Caffeine Level	High	Varies, often low or optional	High
Preparation Method	Shaken or beaten	Blended with ice	Chilled or poured over ice
Primary Function	A refreshing coffee drink	A sweet, dessert-like treat	A strong, chilled coffee

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, do frappes count as coffee? The nuanced answer is: some do, and some don't. The term 'frappé' has evolved from a specific, coffee-forward drink to a generic descriptor for any blended, iced beverage, with or without a coffee component. If you are drinking a traditional Greek frappé, you are most certainly drinking a coffee. If you are enjoying a dessert-style commercial frappe, you are likely drinking a coffee-flavored milkshake with minimal or no actual coffee. Ultimately, checking the ingredients or asking for an added espresso shot is the only way to be sure. It's a reminder that not all drinks that bear the name and a coffee-colored hue are what they seem. For a deeper dive into the origins, see the Nescafé website at https://www.nescafe.com/gb/coffee-culture/knowledge/what-is-a-frappe.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a frappe is not the same as a standard iced coffee. An iced coffee is simply brewed coffee served cold over ice. A frappe is a blended, often thick and creamy, frozen beverage with a distinctive, frothy texture that requires a mixer or blender to create.

Most McDonald's frappes, particularly the coffee and caramel varieties, do contain instant coffee powder in their base. However, the proportion is often small, with sugar, cream, and flavoring being the dominant ingredients.

No, not all Starbucks Frappuccinos are coffee drinks. While coffee-based Frappuccinos exist, Starbucks also offers creme-based Frappuccinos (e.g., vanilla bean, strawberry) that contain no coffee or caffeine unless specifically requested as an add-on.

In some places, particularly parts of New England, 'frappe' is simply the term for a milkshake made with ice cream. However, in other regions and globally, a frappe is generally distinguished by its coffee or fruit base and lighter, frothier texture, compared to a milkshake's thicker, ice cream-heavy composition.

You can tell if a frappe has caffeine by checking the ingredients or by its flavor profile. Coffee-based or coffee-flavored frappes are likely to contain some caffeine, while fruit or vanilla bean versions are typically caffeine-free unless an espresso shot was added. Always ask the barista if you're unsure.

A frappé is not a smoothie, though both are blended beverages. Smoothies are typically made with whole fruit, vegetables, and yogurt or juice. A frappé, in its various forms, is a blended, iced drink with a base that includes coffee, milk, or flavored syrup, and less of a focus on whole food ingredients.

A traditional Greek frappé can be a relatively low-calorie drink if made simply with instant coffee, water, and ice, with a small amount of sugar. However, the addition of milk, cream, and excessive sugar can increase its calorie count significantly. It's generally healthier than a sugar-laden dessert-style frappe from a commercial chain.