By Mike Hughlett | The second wave of McDonald’s Corp.’s big beverage offensive – frappes – has recently landed in Chicagoland, making the area one of the earlier proving grounds for the icy, sweet drinks.

Frappes, which come in mocha and caramel flavors, are available in about 25 percent of Chicago-area McDonald’s, and are progressively rolling out in the entire region, said Danya Proud, a company spokeswoman.

Oak Brook-based McDonald’s launched frappes during 2009’s fourth quarter, with Seattle being one of the first markets. Frappes are currently available in about one-third off McDonald’s almost 14,000 U.S. outlets.

The drinks are part of McDonald’s “combined beverage” initiative, its biggest new product forays in decades, and a blitz aimed partly at Starbucks. It began in 2006 with regional marketing of espresso-based coffees, and went national  in May with a big advertising campaign for specialty coffee.

Frappes will be followed by smoothies, which are already available in some test markets. Both drinks are expected to be available nationally by the middle of the year, Proud said.