Happy National Frappé Day! Celebrated on October 7, this food holiday is a lovely excuse to enjoy something cold, frothy and full of flavour.

Coffee, chocolate, cherries or strawberries: there is plenty of room to find your favourite. Although we often associate icy drinks with summer, I certainly wouldn’t turn down a delicious frappé just because the calendar says October!

What Is a Frappé?

A frappé isn’t always the same drink wherever you order it. A Greek coffee frappé is made by whipping or shaking instant coffee with a little water to create foam, then adding ice and more water. Sugar and milk are optional.

Many café versions are blended drinks made with coffee, ice and milk, sometimes finished with whipped cream or a drizzle of syrup. In New England, “frappe” can mean a milkshake made with milk and ice cream.

Fruit-based versions offer another refreshing direction. Think of a cold, slushy drink made with fruit or fruit syrup and crushed ice. That is the fruity style explored in this original post, rather than a traditional Greek coffee frappé.

Explore how frappés vary around the world.

Fruit Flavours for National Frappé Day

Choose a flavour you love: cherry, strawberry, peach, orange or lemon.

Sweetness is a matter of preference. Taste your fruit or juice first, then add sweetener gradually. Ripe fruit may need very little, while tart cherries or citrus might welcome a little more.

For a creamy fruit drink, milk or a suitable plant-based alternative can change the texture. Keep in mind that acidic citrus juice can curdle dairy milk; a fruit-and-ice version is an easier choice for lemon or orange.

Building a Fruity Frozen Drink

You don’t need an elaborate menu of syrups to start experimenting. Fruit, a little cold liquid and ice give you a simple starting point.

• Choose your fruit: Wash and prepare it, removing pits, stems and any inedible peel.
• Add cold liquid: Water or juice can help the mixture blend.
• Blend with ice: Use a blender designed to crush ice, following its instructions.
• Adjust the texture: Add liquid a little at a time if it is too thick, or more ice if you want it slushier.
• Taste and serve: Sweeten as needed, pour into a glass and enjoy immediately.

These are flexible preparation ideas, rather than a measured recipe. The amount of liquid and ice will depend on your fruit, blender and preferred consistency.

Coffee, Chocolate and Creamy Variations

If fruit isn’t calling your name, explore coffee or chocolate flavours instead. For a blended coffee version, start with coffee that has cooled before adding it to your blender with cold milk and ice.

Chocolate syrup, vanilla or a small topping of whipped cream can turn a simple cold drink into a dessert. Prefer something less sweet? Keep the additions modest and let the coffee flavour lead.

For adults, a little liqueur can be an optional variation. Keep alcoholic servings separate from drinks prepared for children.

Celebrate National Frappé Day on October 7

National Frappé Day gives us another delicious reason to play with flavour. Choose a frothy coffee classic, a creamy blended drink or a colourful fruit version, and make it suit your taste.

Looking for more seasonal inspiration? Explore our October Food Holidays & Events guide for more ways to celebrate the month.

Which flavour would you reach for first: coffee, chocolate or fruit?

Be a Champion in Your Kitchen & Eat Deliciously!