The primary difference between a milkshake and a frappé lies in their fundamental ingredients and preparation methods, which result in distinct textures and characteristics. While a milkshake is typically a creamy, frothy dairy-based drink often including ice cream, a frappé is generally an iced, blended beverage that can be made from various liquid bases, often with a more slushy or icy consistency.
Understanding the Milkshake
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, a milkshake is defined as "a drink made of milk, flavoring, and usually, ice cream, mixed or shaken until frothy."
Key Characteristics of a Milkshake:
- Core Ingredients: Milk, flavoring (e.g., chocolate, vanilla, strawberry), and most commonly, ice cream.
- Texture: Known for its thick, creamy, and frothy consistency due to the incorporation of air during mixing or shaking.
- Preparation: Blended or shaken to combine ingredients thoroughly and create a smooth, homogenous drink.
- Taste: Rich, sweet, and dairy-forward.
Understanding the Frappé
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary refers to frappé (pronounced fra-PAY) as "a dessert made of partly frozen beverages, fruit juices, etc., or a drink made of some beverage poured over shaved..." While the dictionary's definition trails off, common understanding implies "shaved ice."
Key Characteristics of a Frappé:
- Core Ingredients: Can be highly varied, often involving coffee, fruit juices, milk, or other beverages. The key element is often ice.
- Texture: Typically has a more icy or slushy texture, achieved by blending ingredients with a significant amount of ice, or pouring over shaved ice.
- Preparation: Usually blended until icy smooth, or a beverage poured over shaved ice, resulting in a cold, often less creamy, and more refreshing drink compared to a milkshake.
- Taste: Varies widely depending on the base, from strong coffee flavors to fruity and sweet.
Direct Comparison: Milkshake vs. Frappé
To highlight the distinctions clearly, here's a comparative table:
| Feature | Milkshake | Frappé |
|---|---|---|
| Merriam-Webster Definition | "a drink made of milk, flavoring, and usually, ice cream, mixed or shaken until frothy." | "a dessert made of partly frozen beverages, fruit juices, etc., or a drink made of some beverage poured over shaved..." |
| Primary Base | Milk and typically ice cream | Various beverages (coffee, fruit juice, milk) and significant ice |
| Typical Texture | Creamy, thick, and frothy | Icy, slushy, often less dense |
| Preparation Method | Mixed or shaken (often blended) | Blended with ice until smooth or poured over shaved ice |
| Common Variations | Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, malted milkshakes | Coffee frappés, fruit frappés, tea frappés |
| Pronunciation | (Milk-shake) | Fra-PAY |
Conclusion
In essence, while both are cold, blended beverages, a milkshake is defined by its creamy, dairy-and-ice-cream base, resulting in a rich, frothy drink. A frappé, conversely, is characterized by its icy consistency, often built around coffee or fruit and a substantial amount of ice, offering a more refreshing, sometimes less creamy, experience.
