Frappé Making

One of my favorite memories of Mykonos is the sipping of a Frappé - a coffee beverage associated with Greece. The drink, they say, was invented in 1957 at the Thessaloniki International Fair by Dimitrios Vakondios. It's told Vakondios accidentally grabbed a shaker meant for a cocoa drink, filled it instead with coffee and cold water, and shook it vigorously until foam spilled onto his business suit.

If you've never tried a traditional Frappé, and would like to sample one at home, it's easy. Simply place (1) rounded teaspoon of instant coffee, (1) or (2) teaspoons of sugar and (2) tablespoons of water in a shaker. Cover and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until you produce a thick, light-brown foam. Next, drop a few ice cubes in a tall glass (16 oz.). Slowly pour the coffee foam into the glass. Then add (1) - (2) tablespoons milk (whole or skim), followed by enough water to fill the glass.

Sure, you can always go to McDonald's, but their take on the Frappé is a bit Americanized. It's much better at home, or, if you're lucky, on the island of Mykonos.