When the weather gets warm, I find myself reaching for iced coffee far more often than hot drinks. The problem is that coffee shop iced drinks can quickly become expensive, especially if you’re buying them regularly throughout summer. It can also be a bit inconvenient when you want one during a quick work break but your local coffee shop is a 20 minute walk.
This iced coffee frappe has become my go-to alternative. It’s creamy, refreshing and feels like a treat, but it’s incredibly simple to make at home using ingredients I usually already have in the kitchen.
The best part? You don’t need an espresso machine, fancy syrups or specialist equipment. Just a blender and a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients
Serves 1
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee
- Hot water (enough to dissolve the coffee)
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- ½ cup milk
- A generous handful of ice
- Caramel sauce, to taste
Method
- Dissolve the instant coffee in a small amount of hot water.
- Add the coffee, vanilla ice cream, milk, ice and caramel sauce to a blender.
- Blend until smooth, thick and creamy.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.
If you like your coffee sweeter, add a little extra caramel sauce and if you prefer a stronger coffee flavour, simply increase the amount of instant coffee.
A Note About Ratios
I find with some coffee frappe recipes, you end up with a lot of hard ice in the end which isn’t ideal. If you find it too icy, play around with the ice cream / milk / ice to coffee ratios. I tend to add about half a cup of instant coffee dissolved in hot water to two spoonfuls of ice cream, 1/2 a cup of milk and ice.
You can generally feel the blender to see if it’s too warm or not, if it feels slightly warm add an extra an extra splash of milk. I tend to start on the warmer side rather than adding lots of extra coffee to warm the mixture up.
Why I Love This Recipe
What I like most about this recipe is that it feels far more indulgent than the effort involved.
The vanilla ice cream gives it a rich, creamy texture, while the caramel adds just enough sweetness without overpowering the coffee. It’s somewhere between an iced coffee and a milkshake, which makes it perfect for warm afternoons when you want something cold and refreshing.
It’s also much cheaper than buying iced drinks out, and because the ingredients are so simple, it’s easy to make whenever the craving strikes.
Iced Coffee Frappe FAQs
Can you make iced coffee with instant coffee?
Yes. In fact, this recipe uses instant coffee and takes less than five minutes to prepare.
Can I make this without a coffee machine?
Absolutely. All you need is instant coffee, hot water and a blender.
What’s the difference between an iced coffee and a frappe?
An iced coffee is typically coffee served over ice, whereas a frappe is blended with ice to create a thicker, smoother texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a simple homemade iced coffee that feels a little luxurious without requiring a trip to a coffee shop, this frappe is well worth trying.
It’s a nice treat to have on a break from work, and tastes coffee shop quality without the cost.
