SomethingToDo2

So it’s stinking hot outside and you need an after-work pick-me-up. Well, you know what really cheers up male supermodel Derek Zoolander? Orange mocha frappuccinos!

(Incidentally, fans of True Blood’s brooding vampire Eric Northman may recognise Derek’s housemate Meekus as the same actor, Alexander Skarsgard.)

If you’ve got a blender, here’s how to get your frappé on at home.

  1. You will need a supply of ice. How much you add depends on how thick you like your frappé, from “sorbet” to “cold drink”. (I like a thickshake consistency.) You may need to experiment, but remember that as it melts, the drink will thin out.
  2. Make a small amount of base coffee, and make it strong as the ice will dilute it. Traditionally, frappés use instant coffee or even coffee flavouring, but if you have an espresso maker, tip in a shot for a stronger flavour.
  3. Add regular, soy, evaporated (commonly used in Greece) or condensed milk (for a Vietnamese twist). You’ll need less of evaporated and condensed milks, and they’ll make a thicker drink. If you like your coffee sweet, add sugar, honey or maple syrup to taste.
  4. Now grind it! I used a stick mixer. The ice will make it foam right up, so allow for this when deciding on quantities.

I am a frappé purist and am satisfied with the basic ingredients of coffee, ice and milk, but if you enjoy sucking down thousands of calories at once you could add flavoured syrups and/or top your frappé with whipped cream. Tea lovers may like to try making frappés from a very strongly brewed batch. A chai frappé with milk might be nice, too, and I like the sound of a lassi frappé with fruit and yoghurt.