Nutty. Earthy. Smooth. Get ready to fall in love if you’ve never had a Black Sesame Frappe before.
This drink is like a sweet iced latte with a warm, toasty flavor from roasted black sesame seeds.
This drink feels fancy, but it’s very easy to make at home.
I’ve been really into black sesame lately, and this frappe? Totally hits the spot.
🖤 Why I Love This Recipe
Every time I make this, it feels special. I first tried a version of it at a small café in Tokyo, and the nutty richness stayed with me. When I want something cold and comforting, I crave this drink.
Making it at home is very simple.
The taste is different—it’s nutty and earthy, not too sweet.
It looks nice, but it only takes a few minutes to make.
Great for people who love coffee or who are trying to cut back on it.
🍹 Portions and Time
Makes: 2 servings Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 5 minutes Time: 15 minutes
Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Toasting black sesame seeds brings out their natural oils, which makes the flavor stronger and makes them easier to mix into a smooth paste.
Milk and ice make the sesame taste less rich and give it a creamy, frappe-like texture.
A little bit of sweetener makes up for the seeds’ slight bitterness.
🛒 What You’ll Need
- 3 tablespoons of toasted black sesame seeds
- 1½ tablespoons of honey or maple syrup
- 1 cup of whole milk (or oat milk if you don’t eat dairy)
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Optional: whipped cream for the top
- A little bit of salt
🧰 Things You’ll Need
- Blender with high speed
- Small pan (for toasting seeds)
- Fine mesh strainer (not required)
- Spoons and cups for measuring
- Serving glasses
👩🍳 How to do it
- Toast the seeds of black sesame.
Put three tablespoons of black sesame seeds in a pan that is not wet. Toast over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring all the time, until the smell is strong. - Mix the sesame paste
Put 1½ tablespoons of honey (or maple syrup) and a pinch of salt in a blender with the toasted sesame seeds. Mix until it turns into a thick paste.
- Mix in the ice, milk, and vanilla.
Add 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of ice, and ¼ tsp of vanilla extract (if you want) to the sesame paste in the blender. Mix until the mixture is smooth and frothy. - Taste and Change
Take a quick taste. If you want it sweeter or more sesame-flavored, mix in a little more honey or sesame paste. - Pour and top
Pour into cups. If you want to go the extra mile, top it with whipped cream and a few toasted sesame seeds.
Pro Tips
- Freshly toast your sesame seeds. A few minutes in a dry pan makes a big difference in taste.
- Mix it longer than you think. It takes a while to make the sesame seeds really smooth.
- Strain to make it even smoother. If you want it really smooth, use a fine mesh strainer.
- First, cool down your milk. It keeps the drink cold without making it watery too quickly.
- Slowly add the sweetener. Taste and change the amount of sesame you use based on how strong it is.
🔄 Changes and Substitutions
- No honey? Use agave or maple syrup.
- No milk? Almond milk or oat milk are both great.
- Want some caffeine? Put in a shot of espresso.
- Drink that is sweeter? Before blending, add half a banana.
⏲️ Tips for Making Ahead
You can toast sesame seeds ahead of time and keep them in a jar for up to two weeks.
Make a lot of sesame paste and store it in the fridge so you can make drinks quickly.
🧊 Leftover food and how to store it
This tastes best when it’s fresh, but you can keep the blended frappe in the fridge (without whipped cream) for up to a day. Before you drink, shake or stir.
What to Serve With
- Cookies with matcha
- Mochi, or sweet rice cakes
- A croissant with butter on it
- Biscotti with almonds
Meal Plan Ideas 🧠
- Pick-Me-Up in the Afternoon: Eat it with a rice cracker snack or sandwich.
- Dessert Night: Serve after a light dinner with an Asian theme.
- Brunch on the weekend: with toast and fruit
❌ Mistakes that happen often
- Don’t toast the seeds. Seeds that are not cooked taste flat. Toasting is very important.
- Putting in too much sugar. Let the sesame shine—start with a little and add more.
- Too much mixing with ice. If you wait too long after the ice breaks down, it can get watery.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it okay to use black sesame paste from the store? Yes, but make sure it’s 100% sesame and not sweetened. Start with 2 tablespoons and add more or less to taste.
- Does it taste like tahini? A little, but the black sesame makes it taste deeper and toastier.
- Is it possible to do this without a blender? Not really. You need a blender to mix the seeds and ice together.
💬 Last Thoughts
You’ll be amazed at how good black sesame is once you try this Black Sesame Frappe. It has a lot of flavor but is also smooth, and it’s a little fancy without being too much. Try it out and let me know what you think in the comments. Did you change it up? Do you have any questions? I’m all in!
