theMarketing Calendar
Log inSign up
← All days
day · fixed · day 280 of 365

​National Frappe Day

Enjoy a delicious, frozen frappe, share with others, see what businesses are offering free frappes, and pay it forward for someone else to enjoy.

CoffeeFood & Drink72
Marketing angleinferred

Drive October foot traffic and loyalty by positioning your coffee brand as the go-to frappe destination with limited-time promotions and shareable social moments.

Relevance 72high intent
  • Free frappe giveaway campaign targeting office workers and coffee enthusiasts
  • User-generated content challenge: #MyFrappeDay featuring customers sharing their favorite flavors
  • Gift-a-frappe promotion positioning the drink as a workplace appreciation gesture
  • Behind-the-scenes content on the 1957 Nestle origin story to build brand heritage
History

A hallmark of Greek coffee culture from the 1950s onwards, the humbly delicious frappe has earned a yearly celebration. The frappe is distinguished by being one of the few beverages improved by the use of instant coffee! (Yes, it’s shocking, but keep reading.)

Supposedly, the frappe was created by a tired Nestle sales representative at the Thessaloniki Trade Fair in 1957 who was beset by caffeine cravings.

It’s often said that creativity flourishes in the face of restraint, and so it was when this beleaguered man couldn’t find access to any hot water to make his instant coffee. So he took some of his instant coffee, put it with cold water and ice, and shook his way to what would eventually become an internationally enjoyed drink.

Of course, from there, versions of the drink were modified to include cream, sugar, flavorings, or sometimes even ice cream. Nowadays, they are also often blended in a blender, but the idea is the same. No matter how it is made, Frappes are delicious!

Although it started out as an accident because the inventor couldn’t access hot water, the Frappe froth actually has a surprising amount of science behind it. Spray-dried instant coffee and its lower oil content are the key to creating long-lasting bubbles.

Freeze-dried instant coffee won’t cut it. The next time someone wants to complain that they can’t get a good coffee anywhere in the country, they might just be right.

Perhaps they’ll need to head over to Greece, where the Frappe is the official national coffee drink!

How to celebrate

Enjoy a Frappe Today

Hop over to a local cafe and grab an amazing and delicious Frappe. Whether in the morning to start the day, or in the afternoon as an energetic pick-me-up, an iced frappe can be appreciated just about any time of the day. Starbucks has its signature Frappuccino on offer, which is a blended or iced version of the frappe drink, but taken to the extreme. One of these drinks is hardly like drinking a coffee at all and, instead, is more like drinking a dessert with a straw! In fact, some of them don’t even include coffee in them. The options for flavors are virtually endless, including fun names like Caramel Ribbon Crunch, Mocha Cookie Crumble, Strawberry Funnel Cake or Matcha Green Tea Creme. No matter which flavor is chosen, it’s most likely going to be delicious.

Share a Frappe

Find someone you love (or just generally like) and gift them with an iced coffee drink on Frappe Day! Whether it’s picking one up for the person in the next cubicle at work or bringing one home to your significant other, Frappe Day is a great way to tell someone else that they are appreciated and thought of.

Get a Free (or Discounted) Coffee Drink

As with many other foodie days, Frappe Day is a time when some companies choose to celebrate by giving away free stuff! And on this day, many people can score themselves a free cup of coffee. It changes every year, but here’s a list of some of the restaurants that have offered free coffee drinks on Frappe Days (or just regular days) in the past. Check them out to see what kind of promos they have going: McDonald’s. At one point, this most famous of fast food restaurants had a deal “buy one, get one for $.01” for those who downloaded the McCafe app around Frappe Day. At other times, they have been known to offer a free coffee after the purchase of five. Dunkin’ Donuts. Known the world around for their coffee, Dunkin’ has a perks program that offers a free coffee for those who register with them. Starbucks. In some locations of this coffee chain, customers can get a discount during the week of Frappe Day, especially if it falls on a Thursday! That’s because Thursday is Happy Hour Day, which means between 2pm and 7pm, coffee drinks are BOGO (buy one get one free) on select Thursday. Check the Starbucks app or local store for details.

Choose to “Pay It Forward”

Get generous on Frappe Day and cover the cost of the coffee order of the person who is just behind in line at the drive-through coffee shop. It will make them have a much better day, reminding them that the world isn’t such a bad place after all!

FAQ
How did frappes become a beachside tradition in Greece?
Greek frappes became a beach staple because of their long-lasting froth and ability to stay cold under the sun. Unlike hot coffee, they don’t get lukewarm quickly, making them ideal for long, leisurely seaside afternoons. Many beach bars in Greece even serve them in large cups with extra ice to last through hours of sunbathing.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when preparing a frappe?
Many people assume frappes require a blender, but in Greece, they’re traditionally shaken by hand. Using a cocktail shaker or a sealed jar creates a richer, denser foam compared to blending. Another mistake is using hot water, which alters the drink’s signature frothy texture.
Do frappes have a connection to the military?
Yes! Greek soldiers popularized frappes during their mandatory military service. Since instant coffee and cold water were easy to find in army camps, soldiers quickly adopted the frappe as their go-to caffeine fix. Many Greek veterans still associate the drink with their time in service.
Why do some frappes taste bitter while others are sweet?
The bitterness of a frappe depends on how much instant coffee is used and whether sugar or milk is added. Greek frappes come in three common variations: “sketos” (plain and bitter), “metrios” (medium sweet), and “glykos” (very sweet). Many newcomers mistakenly order a frappe without specifying their sweetness level, leading to an unexpected taste.
What are some unexpected toppings people put on frappes?
While traditional Greek frappes stick to coffee, water, sugar, and milk, some international versions get creative. In Vietnam, frappes sometimes include condensed milk and egg yolk for a rich, custard-like texture. In Japan, some cafés sprinkle matcha powder or chocolate shavings on top for added flavor.
Has anyone ever tried making a “world’s largest” frappe?
There’s no official record for the world’s largest frappe, but in 2012, a group of Greek café owners attempted to make a massive one using a giant blender. The unofficial event used over 100 liters of coffee and took several hours to mix. While it didn’t make the Guinness World Records, it drew a large crowd of enthusiastic frappe lovers.
Why do frappes sometimes separate into layers?
A well-made frappe stays mixed because of the emulsifiers in instant coffee, which trap air and create foam. However, if stirred too much or left sitting for too long, the liquid and foam can separate. To prevent this, some people shake the frappe again midway through drinking to maintain its texture.
How do frappes compare to dalgona coffee?
Though both have a frothy coffee layer, the preparation is different. Frappes are made by shaking or blending instant coffee, while dalgona coffee requires whipping coffee, sugar, and hot water into a thick foam. Dalgona coffee became a viral trend in 2020, but frappes have been a staple in Greece for decades.
Are there any alcohol-infused frappe variations?
Yes! Some bars mix frappes with coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa or Baileys for a boozy twist. In Greece, some people add Metaxa (a Greek brandy) for a bold, slightly spiced flavor. This turns the traditionally morning drink into a late-night cocktail option.
Why do some cafés refuse to serve frappes?
In specialty coffee shops, baristas sometimes dislike frappes because they rely on instant coffee rather than freshly brewed espresso. Some purists argue that frappes lack the complexity of traditional coffee drinks. However, many cafés still embrace frappes because of their cultural significance and widespread popularity.