Did you know you can make a freddo espresso at home? Every coffee lover should know this easy recipe for Greek iced coffee! It's simpler than you think and with my top tips, shared by a Greek barista, you'll nail it every time.
Freddo espresso was born in Greece but draws inspiration from the Italian espresso. Before this freddo coffee was born, Greeks used to drink another iced coffee called Frappe. However, frappé is made with instant coffee (spray-dried) while Freddo Espresso is made with freshly brewed espresso, making it so much tastier!
If you drink your coffee black, you'll love the bold, intense character of this Greek iced coffee. If you prefer your coffee with milk, don't miss this freddo cappuccino recipe, a similar drink topped with cold, frothy milk.
📋 Freddo Espresso Ingredients
To make this simple coffee freddo at home, you'll need the following 2 or 3 ingredients:
Two shots of espresso coffee, freshly brewed.
Ice cubes. The larger the better
Sweetener of choice such as sugar or stevia (optional).
👨🍳 Expert Tips
The barista from the Greek cafe It's a Village in Kipseli, Athens was kind enough to share the most important tips to make the best freddo espresso at home:
✅ Use good quality, strong espresso coffee.
✅ Mix the hot coffee and sugar (if using) until sugar is dissolved.
✅ Froth the freshly brewed coffee with 2 large ice cubes in a stand frother (mixer) for 15-20 seconds (time will depend on the the power of your frother).
✅ Use bottled water in your coffee machine. Tap water can be hard and alters the flavor of the coffee.
✅ Homemade ice cubes with tap water alter the flavor of the coffee. Also, they're usually small and melt too quickly when mixing. Buying a bag of ice and storing it in your freezer is suggested.
✅ If possible, use a powerful stand mixer (frother). A handheld one should be at least 30 Watts.
👉 My personal tip: If you struggle with watery coffee, make some ice cubes from coffee and use those! No watery coffee ever again 😉
🎥 Video
Watch how to make a freddo espresso coffee at home!
🎵 Music on Video:Outside Musician: @iksonmusic
📖 Recipe
Best Freddo Espresso: Greek Iced Coffee
Equipment
- 1 handheld electric frother or a cocktail shaker or a jar
Ingredients
- 2 shots (60 ml) espresso (freshly brewed)
- 5 ice cubes (large)
- sweetener of choice ( optional)
Instructions
With a frother:
- Brew two shots of espresso and pour the coffee into a glass. Add the sweetener (if using) and stir to dissolve.
- Add 2 large ice cubes and froth with a handheld milk frother (also know as electric handheld mixer frappe) until you create a thick foam.
- Add 3 large ice cubes to a glass and pour over the frothed espresso.
With a shaker or Jar:
- Make a double espresso and pour the coffee into a cocktail shaker or a sealable jar. Add the sweetener (if using) and stir to dissolve.
- Add 2 large ice cubes, firmly close the shaker (or jar) and shake vigorously for 10-20 seconds.
- Fill a glass with the remaining ice cubes and pour the coffee over them. Serve with a straw.
Notes
Serving glass:
In most cafes, freddo espresso is served in a short, wide glass such as a whiskey tumbler (old fashioned) or in a tall, narrow glass. Read below ⬇️ how you can make this caffe freddo with a moka pot. Espresso freddo does not contain milk.Nutrition
More coffee drinks:
If you love coffee, you'll adore these coffee recipes:
Make it with a moka pot
If you don't have an espresso machine you can make this iced coffee drink with the traditional moka pot.
The moka pot should be the size of two espresso shots, otherwise you'll have to scale the recipe for the best results.
If using instant espresso powder, add 1 tablespoon of coffee powder to ¼ cup (60ml) of hot water and stir to dissolve.
Then add 5 ice cubes and shake well. You can also add the espresso powder to cold water, but adding it to hot water releases more flavor.
A bit of history
When Italian espresso machines became popular in Greece, frappé coffee started to lose its popularity because the locals adapted the espresso concept to create their own version of a chilled coffee beverage.
And it makes sense, because the taste of a freshly brewed espresso is far superior to the taste you get by using instant coffee.
That is how Espresso Freddo was born, from the Italian term "Freddo" which means "cold".
FAQ
If you use any other type of coffee, like cold brew or lungo (the setting on your coffee machine that extracts more than one shot of espresso) then your coffee will taste watery.
Also, make sure to use a strong coffee with intensity level 8 or higher, suitable for espresso or ristretto.
When ordering freddo espresso in Greece, you will be asked about the desired sweetness level.
The three different levels are:
"Sketo" which means without any sugar.
"Metrio" which means "medium", and has 1 teaspoon sugar per shot of espresso.
"Glyko" which means "sweet" and usually has 2 teaspoons sugar per shot of espresso.
A full-bodied, low acidity coffee with high intensity level (8 or higher) will give you the perfect freddo with robust flavor.
Freddo Espresso is a Greek type of iced coffee, inspired by the older frappe and influenced by the Italian hot espresso. It's one of the most popular cold coffees and it's enjoyed throughout the year, and not only during summer. The Shakerato is probably the italian version of Freddo Espresso!
George says
Made it with a teaspoon of brown sugar and a shaker. It was delicious, thank you!
Tasos says
Made it with my Nespresso machine, very good!
Makos says
Thats great Tasos!
Maria says
Hello, I had no idea that it originated in Greece and draws inspiration from Italian espresso. The way it evolved from the Frappe coffee and adapted the espresso concept is Fascinating.But beyond that I am obsessed with that. I drink every day 1 or 2 coffees hopefully I don’t have too much tension!! Thanks for sharing these insights and the recipe, Makos!
Makos says
Hi Maria, I think with 1 or 2 you will be fine!
Have a nice day 🙂
Tasos says
Best coffee ever! Can I make 3-4 servings in a blender if I have guests?
Makos says
Hi Tasos! Yes, that’s a great idea 🙂
If it foams more, divide the liquid and foam equally between the glasses and add more ice cubes if needed. Cheers!
Paul Harisson says
Thanks so much for all the tips! I made a freddo espresso just like the one I had in Greece!
Makos says
That’s great Paul! Thanks for the feedback!!