Frappe vs Latte: What’s the Difference?

frappe vs latte

A frappe and a latte are totally different from each other, from the ingredients to the preparation, and let’s not forget taste and texture. First, we will explain what these drinks are, then we will break down the differences for you.

What is a Frappe?

A frappe is a frozen coffee drink. It’s made with room temperature coffee, usually made from instant coffee. This is blended with milk, ice, a simple syrup for smoothness, and sometimes flavoring. The flavors that can be added vary from vanilla bean to chocolate chips to caramel. When served, it has a consistency close to a milkshake. If you’re craving coffee and it’s hot outside, or you just like frozen drinks in general, a frappe can give you the best of both worlds.


What is a Latte?

A classic latte is a hot beverage. After espresso shots are pulled into a cup, a generous amount of steamed milk is added. Lattes also have a little foam on the top layer of the drink. Just like a traditional coffee frappe, lattes don’t come with flavors, besides the delicious taste of coffee, of course. There are many flavors, like hazelnut or cinnamon, available to add if you choose to enjoy a flavored latte.


Difference in Preparation

The main difference between a latte and a frappe is the preparation. This also affects the texture of the two drinks. As you read above, a frappe is a cold blended drink. Lattes can come iced, but are classically served hot. Lattes also require espresso shots to be pulled, while the coffee in frappes is pre-made and added to the blender.

Different Ingredients

Room temperature coffee is used in frappes because it keeps the ice from melting before being blended. It also gives the drink a thicker consistency than if hot coffee or espresso was used. A dairy product with high-fat content, like whole milk or half and half, also goes into a frappe. This helps keep a thick consistency as well. In contrast, lattes are usually made with 2% milk or whole milk, or sometimes even milk alternatives.

Texture and Taste

A frappe’s texture will be thicker and creamier than that of a latte, not to mention much colder. Lattes are smoother than frappes, because frappes have small ice chips in them, which gives them a different texture profile.

A frappe will be sweeter than a latte, since it has a simple syrup added. The automatic addition of this simple syrup is also why flavor in a frappe will taste sweeter than a flavor added to a latte. Lattes will give you a more intense coffee flavor than a frappe for two reasons. Water is added to a frappe in the form of ice, which waters down the coffee flavor a little. Lattes also use intense espresso instead of instant coffee.

Caffeine Level

Lattes have a slightly higher caffeine content than frappes. Lattes have 75-150 mg of caffeine, depending on which size you get. Frappes have 65-125 mg, depending on the size of the frappe.

caffeine level

Highlighting the Differences

  • A latte is a hot drink, while a frappe is a cold blended drink.
  • Lattes have hot espresso, while frappes have room-temperature instant coffee.
  • Lattes have a smoother texture, while frappes are thicker in consistency.
  • Lattes have a stronger coffee flavor.
  • Frappes are sweeter than lattes due to the simple syrup added.
  • A latte has a little more caffeine than a frappe.