While some people opt for a cup of dark roast coffee when they pull up to their favorite cafe, others want something a little sweeter.
A common choice is the frappe — a sweet, decadent, and frothy blended iced drink.
However, this drink may be confusing to some people, as you may not associate the sweet flavors with coffee.
With that in mind, is there coffee in a frappe?
That all depends on the type you get, the recipe, and even where you buy it from.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this beloved beverage and help you learn how to tell whether or not they have coffee, how much caffeine they typically contain, and more.
Is There Coffee in a Frappe? The Straight Answer
Traditionally, a Greek frappe is made with a mix of instant coffee, water, sugar, and potentially milk, which is then blended or shaken, often using a milk frother or blender.
In modern cafe culture, a frappe generally refers to a blended iced beverage that contains coffee, but some are coffee-free. Many cafes and chain restaurants offer both a coffee-based and a creme-based frappe, so always check to ensure you order the correct one.
As far as the type of coffee in frappes, that also varies depending on the recipe and establishment. Some may use instant coffee, espresso shots, or even simply a coffee-flavored syrup or additive.
Identifying Coffee in Popular Frappes
If you’re visiting a new coffee shop and want to know whether a frappe has coffee in it, here are a few tips and techniques to keep in mind.
Checking Menus & Asking Baristas
One of the easiest ways to know is to either check the menu or ask the barista. Carefully read through the menu description of the drink to see if it makes any mention of coffee, such as espresso or mocha.
Many cafes label all coffee-free frappes with a term like “creme-based,” “without coffee,” or even “coffee-free.”
If they don’t specifically state whether or not the beverage contains caffeine, and you can’t tell based on the flavors or names of the drinks, ask the barista directly. They’ll be able to easily give you an answer or find someone who can.
Common Coffee-Based Frappe Flavors
Another option is to look at the flavors the frappe comes in. There are several frappe flavors that almost always include coffee. Some examples include a mocha frappe, a coffee frappe, and an espresso frappe.
As a result, if you see one of these flavors, it’s relatively safe to assume that it includes coffee.
However, some flavors that don’t seem like they contain any coffee (such as vanilla or caramel) might still include some for depth of flavor or as a base.
Common Coffee-Free Frappe Flavors (Creme Frappes)
If you’re on the hunt for a coffee-free and creme-based frappe, some typical flavors to keep an eye out for include a strawberry, vanilla bean, chocolate chip creme, or white chocolate.
These generally use a cream or milk base as opposed to coffee.
However, some establishments may include coffee in these seemingly coffee-free flavors, so always ask if you’re unsure about the coffee content in any frappe to make sure.
How Much Coffee (& Caffeine) is Typically in a Frappe?
While you now know that most frappes contain coffee, just how much caffeine is normally in one?
Well, caffeine content varies depending on the type of coffee in the frappe and how much is in the beverage.
For example, a frappe made with a tiny spoonful of instant coffee won’t have nearly as much caffeine as one made with a double shot of espresso.
The caffeine content also varies depending on the establishment.
A McDonald's frappe contains anywhere from 75 to 130 mg of caffeine, whereas Starbucks frappes range from around 60 to 130 mg of caffeine. This is a similar amount (or just slightly more) than what’s typically in a cup of coffee or a shot of espresso.
However, some frappes may even go far beyond these in terms of caffeine content.
For example, Dunkin' Donuts offers a line of frozen coffee beverages that can have as much as 422 mg of caffeine.
On the other hand, some frappes go the opposite way and only have a tiny amount of coffee that’s used primarily for its flavor, as opposed to the beverage giving a jolt of energy from the caffeine.
To get the full picture on caffeine content, make sure to check out the nutritional information that the restaurant or cafe provides about its beverages.
Of course, if you make your own coffee frappe, the amount of caffeine and coffee depends on the type and amount you add. Some people may want a frappe with only a hint of coffee for flavor, while others may load up their frappes with tons of caffeine to give them a burst of energy.
Frappes Without Coffee: Understanding Creme-Based Options
While coffee-based frappes are a popular choice, many people are watching their caffeine intake and prefer a blended treat that doesn’t have any.
As a result, many establishments offer cream-based frappes.
These offer the same luxurious texture and taste as traditional frappes, without the caffeine. A creme-based frappe often consists of milk, ice, flavored syrups, a creme base, and some whipped cream.
The ingredients are nearly the same as a traditional coffee-based frappe, except the coffee base gets replaced with cream.
Some common flavors include:
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Matcha
- White chocolate
- Caramel
- Chai
- Hazelnut
If you don't see a coffee-free frappe on the menu, that doesn’t mean you can’t get one.
Many cafes are accommodating and may be willing to make a traditional frappe without the coffee if that’s what you prefer.
FAQs: Is There Coffee in a Frappe?
Still have some questions about the caffeine content in a frappe? If so, don’t hesitate to check out these common questions and their answers to learn more.
1. Is There Coffee in a McDonald's Frappe?
Typically, the different types of McDonald’s frappes contain a coffee base or coffee extract of some kind. You can find specific caffeine information and ingredients for each flavor on the McDonald’s website to learn more.
2. Is There Coffee in a Frappe at Starbucks (Frappuccino)?
A Starbucks Frappuccino comes in two types — Coffee Frappuccino (which contains coffee) and Creme Frappuccino (which doesn’t contain any coffee). As long as you look for either “Coffee” or “Creme” in the name of the beverage, it should be easy to choose the right one.
3. Can I Get a Frappe Without Coffee?
Yes, many cafes offer coffee-free frappes, which are often called creme frappes, or may go by other non-coffee flavor names like strawberry, caramel, or a variety of others. If you want to ensure the frappe you get is coffee-free, make sure to ask the barista to confirm it before you make your order.
4. What's the Difference Between a Frappe and a Frappuccino?
The term Frappuccino is the trademarked name for Starbucks’ line of blended iced drinks. Frappe is a more general term for a blended iced and foamy drink that may or may not contain coffee.
5. Does a Caramel Frappe Have Coffee?
A caramel frappe will often contain coffee as a base flavor. However, there are also plenty of coffee-free caramel creme-based frappe options, as well. If you’re unsure whether a caramel frappe has coffee or not, check the menu for ingredients or ask the barista for more information.
6. What Ingredients Are in a Frappe?
Coffee-based frappes often contain coffee or espresso, ice, milk, sugar or syrup, and potentially a base frappe powder. Creme-based frappes are made with many of the same ingredients, but with a creme base powder or cream. Different cafes or chains may use their own special ingredients based on their recipes.
7. Is a Frappe Just Iced Coffee?
No, a frappe is different from a traditional iced coffee. A standard iced coffee is just brewed coffee served over ice, while a frappe is a blended drink that has a thicker and creamier texture, and may be made with or without coffee.
8. How Is a Traditional Greek Frappé Different From a Café-Style Frappé?
A traditional Greek frappe consists of instant coffee, water, and sugar, which is shaken or blended and then served over ice. This is different from a cafe-style frappe, which is often more dessert-like and features a sweeter and milkier flavor and texture.
9. Can I Make a Frappe at Home With or Without Coffee?
Yes, you can easily make a frappe yourself at home with a blender. For a coffee-based frappe, simply mix instant coffee or chilled brewed coffee, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, a flavored syrup of your choice, and ice cubes in a blender, and then top with whipped cream. For a cream-based version, the process is essentially the same except you remove the coffee and add in an alternative of your choice, such as creamer.
10. Do All Frappes Have a Lot of Sugar?
Most frappes that you get commercially, whether they're coffee or cream-based, often have quite a bit of sugar thanks to the sweeteners and syrups that are generally added to them. However, some cafes and establishments may offer sugar-free versions, and when you make frappes at home, you have complete control over how much sugar you add.
