Does Frappé Mean No Coffee? The Ultimate Guide

December 6, 2025 •

4 min read

While the name 'frappé' often conjures images of a coffee drink, the truth is more nuanced, as a single term can encompass multiple beverage types globally. The original Greek frappé does contain coffee, but the modern, and especially American, definition has evolved to include blended, non-coffee options.

Quick Summary

The word frappé means 'iced' or 'beaten' in French, but its iconic form is a Greek iced coffee. However, the term's modern usage includes coffee-based versions, like the original, and non-coffee variations, commonly found in commercial coffee shops.

Key Points

Not Always Coffee: While the original Greek frappé is a coffee drink, the modern commercial term often includes non-coffee versions.
Greek Origins: The traditional frappé was accidentally invented in Greece using instant coffee, cold water, and ice.
Global Variations: Commercial chains like Starbucks offer both coffee-based and 'crème'-based frappés to appeal to a wider audience.
Frappé vs. Frappuccino: A frappé is a generic term for a blended iced drink, whereas Frappuccino is a specific, trademarked Starbucks blended beverage that comes in coffee and crème versions.
Easy to Customize: You can easily make both coffee and non-coffee versions at home by swapping out instant coffee for flavored syrups or purees.
Foam is Key: A distinctive feature of a frappé, especially the Greek original, is the thick, frothy foam created by shaking or blending.

Understanding the Origins: The Greek Frappé

The story of the frappé begins with an accidental innovation in Greece in 1957. At the Thessaloniki International Fair, a Nestlé employee, Dimitris Vakondios, improvised by mixing instant coffee with cold water and ice in a shaker after he could not find hot water. This spontaneous creation led to the frothy, iced coffee beverage that became a Greek national staple. The traditional Greek frappé, therefore, absolutely contains coffee, specifically instant coffee, and is defined by its method of shaking or blending to create a signature thick foam.

The Anatomy of a Traditional Greek Frappé

Instant Coffee: Crucial for creating the thick, stable foam.
Water: Cold water is used to mix with the coffee and sugar.
Sugar: Added to taste, resulting in 'sketo' (unsweetened), 'metrio' (medium sweet), or 'glyko' (sweet) options.
Milk (Optional): Evaporated milk is sometimes added for a creamier texture.
Ice: The essential final touch to make the drink chilled and refreshing.

The Commercial Evolution: The Modern Frappé

As the frappé gained international popularity, it was adapted by coffee shop chains and independent cafes worldwide, leading to a proliferation of new definitions and variations. This is where the confusion about whether a frappé contains coffee originates. To cater to a wider audience, these establishments began offering frappé-style drinks without coffee, using flavored syrups or fruit bases instead. A prime example of this commercial adaptation is the Frappuccino®, a trademarked name by Starbucks, which has both coffee and crème (non-coffee) varieties. The crème-based versions use a non-coffee base blended with ice and flavors like vanilla or strawberry. McDonald's also offers its own line of McFrappés, which primarily feature coffee-based options but are distinct from the Greek original.

Frappé vs. Frappuccino: Key Differences

While often used interchangeably by consumers, the terms refer to distinct beverage concepts with different origins and compositions. Understanding these differences is key to knowing what you're ordering.


Feature	Greek Frappé	Commercial Frappuccino (e.g., Starbucks)
Origin	Greece, accidental creation in 1957	Boston, 1992, recipe acquired by Starbucks in 1994
Core Ingredient	Instant coffee	Coffee base or crème base
Preparation	Shaken or blended to create foam	Machine-blended to a smooth, creamy consistency
Consistency	Frothy foam on top, iced coffee beneath	Uniformly blended, smoothie-like texture
Coffee vs. Non-Coffee	Always coffee-based (instant coffee)	Available in both coffee and non-coffee ("crème") versions
Variations	Primarily varies in sweetness and milk	Wide range of flavor syrups, drizzles, and toppings

How to Make Both Coffee and Non-Coffee Frappés at Home

Making a delicious blended drink doesn't require a coffee shop barista. You can easily create both a classic coffee frappé and a customized non-coffee version in your own kitchen.

Classic Greek Coffee Frappé

Ingredients: 2 tsp instant coffee, 2 tsp sugar (adjust to taste), 2 tbsp cold water, ice cubes, cold milk (optional).
Method:
1. Add instant coffee, sugar, and cold water to a shaker or a jar with a lid.
2. Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until a thick, light brown foam forms.
3. Place ice cubes in a tall glass.
4. Pour the coffee foam into the glass.
5. Fill the glass with cold water and add milk if desired.
6. Stir with a straw and enjoy.

Non-Coffee Vanilla Bean Frappé

Ingredients: 1 cup milk, 1 cup ice, 2 tbsp vanilla bean powder or syrup, whipped cream (optional).
Method:
1. Combine milk, ice, and vanilla bean powder/syrup in a blender.
2. Blend on high until smooth and frothy.
3. Pour into a glass and top with whipped cream if desired.
4. You can easily substitute vanilla with other syrups like chocolate or caramel for different flavor profiles.

Conclusion: The Answer Isn't So Simple

The question "Does frappé mean no coffee?" has no single, straightforward answer. It is a tale of a beverage that evolved dramatically across different cultures. In its traditional Greek form, a frappé is fundamentally a cold coffee drink made with instant coffee and foam. However, the term has been globally repurposed by commercial coffee chains to include both coffee and non-coffee blended drinks, like the popular Frappuccino. Ultimately, the presence of coffee depends entirely on the specific menu item or recipe. Always clarify whether a frappé you're ordering is coffee-based or crème-based to ensure you get the drink you're expecting. To help you choose, remember that the classic Greek version is always a coffee drink, while modern commercial versions may or may not contain coffee, chocolate, or even tea.

For more history on the Greek original, you can explore detailed resources on coffee culture. [Link to external resource: https://perfectdailygrind.com/2020/02/an-exploration-of-greek-frappes/]

Frequently Asked Questions

A coffee frappé is a blended iced drink that contains a coffee base, such as espresso shots or instant coffee. A crème frappé, or non-coffee frappé, is made with milk, ice, and flavored syrups or purees but has no coffee. Some crème-based versions might still contain trace amounts of caffeine from ingredients like chocolate.

Most of McDonald's McFrappés contain a coffee base, but their menu is less diverse in non-coffee options compared to Starbucks. If you are looking for a caffeine-free option, it is best to ask the barista about the specific ingredients.

Yes, many coffee shops offer decaffeinated versions of their frappés. At Starbucks, for instance, you can request a decaf version of a coffee-based Frappuccino, which will significantly lower the caffeine content.

No, a frappé is not the same as a milkshake, though confusion exists, especially in New England, where 'frappe' sometimes means a milkshake. Generally, a frappé is lighter and frothier, made with ice, while a milkshake typically includes ice cream and is thicker.

The term 'frappé' comes from the French word meaning 'struck' or 'beaten,' referring to how the ingredients are shaken or blended. It is also related to the French word for 'iced'.

The non-coffee frappé, often called a 'crème frappé,' is a more modern commercial innovation. It was developed by large coffee chains to offer the blended, iced experience to customers who prefer a caffeine-free alternative, including children and those sensitive to caffeine.

A chocolate frappé made with cocoa or chocolate syrup often contains some caffeine. For example, the Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino at Starbucks has a small amount of caffeine from the chocolate chips, even though it is not coffee-based.