WHAT IS AN AFFOGATO? MAKE THIS DIVINE COFFEE DESSERT AT HOME

Espresso and gelato are a match made in heaven – to no one’s surprise.

The affogato is a dessert made by pouring a shot of espresso over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato. It originated in Italy, like many of the best espresso-based confections, but has become a popular addition to cafe menus worldwide.

Today, I’m going to tell you all there is to know about this humble yet delicious two-ingredient delight, including my two key tricks for making the best affogato at home.

What Is An Affogato?

The affogato is a popular Italian dessert in which an espresso shot is poured over a scoop of gelato – usually vanilla or fior di latte. Part of its appeal is the marriage of hot and cold components, making it distinct from coffee ice cream. 

Affogato comes from Italy, but the exact origins are a little unclear. While some claim it can be traced as far back as the 17th century, it is more likely to have arisen sometime in the 1950s, following the invention of the first espresso machine and advances in the ice cream industry (1). 

The term affogato first appeared in the Merriam-Webster dictionary in 1992, an indication of its growing popularity in North America (2).

Related: Unique coffee beverages from around the world.

What does affogato mean in Italian slang?

The name affogato (pronounced ah-faw-gah-toh) is the Italian word for “drowned.” It refers to the fact that the gelato is drowning in espresso.

How Do You Make An Affogato?

I’ll admit that I did not enjoy my first affogato. It tasted like over-sweet lukewarm coffee. I’ve since learned there are two key factors in making the perfect affogato at home.

First, the ice cream needs to be really cold. I like to freeze mine so it’s almost too solid to spoon and then use a gently warmed serving scoop. And make sure your serving dish is pre-chilled.

Second, it’s important to get the right ratio of ice cream to espresso. I use a 4-ounce scoop of ice cream and a single 1-ounce shot of espresso. Sometimes, I’ll even use a highly concentrated ristretto shot.

Okay, now that you know the basics, let’s learn how to make affogato.

What is the best coffee for an affogato?

You can use any coffee you enjoy for your affogato, but I’d recommend trying a traditional dark roast Italian espresso blend first. It has the flavor intensity and full body required to stand up against the much larger volume of ice cream. 

I wouldn’t recommend swapping in brewed coffee for the espresso. It’s too dilute and will ruin the balance of the drink.

What is the best gelato to use for an affogato?

The traditional choices are vanilla or fior di latte gelato. Fior di latte means flower of milk –  a sort of unflavored gelato made from very high-quality fresh milk. But it’s okay to stray from tradition to suit your taste.

You can use gelato or ice cream, but I’d suggest sticking with flavors known to pair well with coffee. Try chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, caramel, or stracciatella.

A Simple Affogato Recipe

Add a scoop of ice cream to a chilled glass or bowl.

Pour the espresso over the ice cream.

Serve immediately, and enjoy before the ice cream melts!

This is the most basic recipe, but there are countless variations. You could add flavor to the coffee or change the flavor of the ice cream. You can also add liqueurs such as rum to the coffee, or add toppings such as whipped cream, berries, or crumbled biscotti. 

Are You Supposed To Eat Or Drink An Affogato?

You should eat your affogato rather than drink it, but you’ll find that you have to do a bit of both. Start with a spoon, scooping up the ice cream with a little bit of espresso so that you can enjoy the combination of ingredients. 

Aim to finish the affogato before the ice cream melts, but if you end up with a mix of espresso and melted ice cream at the end, you can sip this like a drink. Affogato espresso is usually considered a coffee dessert, but in some cafes, it will show up on the list of coffee drinks among the iced coffee recipes.

Final Thoughts

The affogato, at its core, it just two ingredients – vanilla gelato or ice cream and coffee. But that simplicity fails to capture the experience of enjoying this frozen treat. When done right, it’s a wonderful interplay of flavors, textures, and temperatures,