A refreshing ice blended coffee drink is the perfect summer treat as the weather warms up. Thinking of a cold blended drink, do you like a frappe or a Frappuccino more? But wait, is there any difference between the two?
Let’s take a deeper look at the Frappe vs. Frappuccino comparison here. This article tells you where Frappe and Frappuccino originated and how they differentiate. Keep on reading; you will discover all you need to know about these uplifting, tempting, and delicious drinks.
What Is Frappe’s Origin?
Frappe appeared long ago before the Frappuccino. It was when a Nescafé staff member, Dimitris Vakondios. He had a brilliant idea for the initial version of this drink back in 1957. He visited the Thessaloniki International Fair in Greece, seeking a method to enjoy his favorite beverage in a fancier way–sweetened instant coffee avoiding too much heat.
At that time, he came up with a solution. With the help of a mixer, supposed to be used with a chocolate Nescafé product line, he mixed instant coffee, sugar syrup, and ice cubes to produce the world’s first Frappe.
This icy sweetened instant coffee beverage is still common in Greece. You can buy it everywhere, particularly during the summertime when the weather is hot and humid. Recently, the Frappe has gained popularity in the United States, where baristas use espresso rather than instant coffee. Espresso, milk, sugar, and flavorings are combined with ice to create a contemporary American Frappe that is almost identical to a Frappuccino both in taste and appearance.
How To Make A Frappe At Home

Ingredients
- Freshly brewed coffee, espresso or strong coffee (instant is not recommended)
- Milk of choice
- Ice cubes
- Whipped Cream
- Simple or flavored syrup (optional)
Instruction
- Mix ice, milk, coffee, and syrup in a high-capacity blender. Blend until everything becomes smooth and frothy.
- Transfer the blended drink into the glass.
- Add a splash of whipped cream as much as you like.
- Garnish with syrup on top of the cream.
- Serve and enjoy immediately.
Note: To make the finest homemade Frappe possible, use canned whipped cream. You’d better add an additional scoop of ground coffee to make the espresso. Doing so can maintain the original coffee taste as strong as it can be. The flavor is much superior to instant coffee. In short, this drink is such an absolute thirst-quenching alternative to your typical iced coffee on a hot day.
What Is Frappuccino’s Origin?
Throwback to 1992, a coffee shop in Massachusetts named the Coffee Connection began promoting its newly-designed beverage. This blended drink is prepared with espresso, milk, sugar, and ice. Shortly after, the drink rapidly gained recognition among the local Harvard community. First, Coffee Connection used granita machines to make this beverage, and after that, they switched to soft-serve ice cream equipment.
About this time, Starbucks began testing a drink that was quite close to the one being tested by Coffee Connection. Replacing a granita or soft-serve machine, Starbucks created the drink in a blender, making the process simpler and quicker.
And in the end, Starbucks acquired Coffee Connection in 1994. Starbucks trademarked this famous drink, the Frappuccino, from Coffee Connection’s founder, Howard Schultz. More than that, Starbucks snatched up the brand and put out the Frappuccino throughout the country.
How To Make Frappuccino At Home

Ingredients
- Crushed ice cubes
- Espresso or strong coffee
- Milk of choice
- Preferable sweetener
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instruction
- Combine all ingredients in a durable blender, except for the whipped cream and any other extra toppings. Blend until they become completely smooth.
- Pour the drink into your serving cup.
- Cover with whipped cream and other extra toppings you love.
- If you make a Caramel Frappuccino, never forget to add the caramel sauce on top.
- Voilà, there you go, your precious homemade Frappuccino.
Note: The drink should be served right away not to melt quickly. Depending on the drink’s consistency, you may need a spoon or a straw to drink from the glass.
Comparing Frappe vs. Frappuccino: What Are The Differences?
Frappe and Frappuccino are different in a way that a Frappuccino is a Starbucks trademark. For this reason, only Starbucks is authorized to sell them. Chances are you might have visited some other coffee shops where you can order the Frappuccino. This means they should be ready for litigation if Starbucks knows.
Frappe is a popular drink when prepared with instant coffee by any coffee shop in Greece. Meanwhile, the Frappuccino is the only trademark that belongs to the Starbucks corporation. Anyway, in the United States, both beverages serve the same purpose– foamy blended coffee often sweetened with vanilla or caramel.
Simply put, Frappe is a common term referred to as a blended frothy iced coffee drink that is served over ice. On the flip slide, Frappe was made famous by McDonald’s as their similar drink, although they may be offered otherwise. Both Frappes and Frappuccino might be sweet, served with coffee or without coffee, but they are always blended and milky in consistency.
Here Are 6 Major Differences Between Frappe and Frappuccino
1. Frappe Was Originated In Greece
A Nescafe staff came up with the original Frappe in Greece in the 1950s. This drink invention happened when he was seeking a means to prepare instant coffee but couldn’t locate any available hot water. This original Frappe combines water, instant coffee, ice, and a splash of milk till frothy.
However, coffee enthusiasts suggest you use freshly brewed instead of instant coffee. The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, helped cement the image of this original Frappe in people’s minds all over the globe.
2. Frappe Is Milkshake In Boston
The first Frappuccino was made in Boston in the 1990s by the proprietor of an independent coffee shop chain known as Coffee Connection. They are the ones who produced and introduced the drink to their menu.
During this period, Starbucks bought up every coffee shop doing a decent job. More than anything, Starbucks was so obsessed with the Frappuccino drink. It obtained this drink trademark and placed it on its menu across the global location.
As a result, the Frappuccino is now available worldwide. However, there is one thing you need to remember. In Boston, when you order a Frappe, you will get a rich, creamy, and tasty milkshake. What to do with that? Mix it with espresso-based concentrate; you will get a delightful Frappuccino on your hands.
3. Use A Whisk To Make Frappes
It is necessary to use a blender to prepare a Frappuccino for desired thick smoothness. A frappe, in contrast, can be made using a whisk. All you need to do is mix coffee and cold water, along with whatever milk and sugar you choose, and then top with crushed ice to create a frappe. Well, you need an electric whisk for this method. And if you don’t use enough water, you will end up with Dalogna coffee.
For some reason, the foam from the blending process is regarded as the topping of the Frappe–no whipped cream needed. Therefore, to order a Frappuccino without cream would be insane. Nevertheless, whipped cream is ideal for finishing it off and giving it a cappuccino look. This texture allows you to sprinkle cocoa powder on top while still enjoying a wonderful and harmonious beverage.
4. Use Espresso To Make Frappuccino
Frappuccinos can be made with or without espresso. With espresso, the brewer can choose instant or espresso. Above all, espresso is far more delicious than instant coffee.
It is a bit of a trick; instant coffee is good and has a place in the world of convenience and simple coffee. Yet, it cannot compare to the genuine flavor you get from espresso, although you cover it with sugar syrups and flavorings to make it taste more like authentic espresso.
Understanding this loophole, Starbucks has designed a Frappe-Roast, a more robust instant coffee that they use exclusively in their Frappuccinos. This roast is less expensive, and the consistency is more appealing than traditional instant coffee. Despite the greatness, it still cannot beat espresso. But, when sugar-coated, it is almost impossible to spot the flaw.
5. Non-Caffeinated Frappuccinos
Without coffee, you can have Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino. This drink is served cold, sweet, fruity, and it is super refreshing. For non-coffee drinkers, you will not be able to resist it. The best part is it is not the only option available. If you don’t want to drink coffee, many alternatives are available.
Unlike Frappuccino, Frappes have limitations since they are usually prepared with coffee. No matter how you will be able to customize your Frappe from your local coffee shop down the street.
6. You Can Get Frappuccino In Bottles
Eventually, when you walk into a grocery store, supermarket, or mart nearby, you will most likely find a bottle of Starbucks Frappuccino in the refrigerator of the establishment. This is always a smart move! With this exhibition, Starbuck is one of the few merchandise that make easy access for all drinkers while not many companies do so.