Affogato Recipe: When Espresso Meets Ice Cream
What Is Affogato?
Affogato means "drowned" in Italian — you "drown" a scoop of vanilla ice cream in hot espresso. It is the most minimal yet most impressive dessert-coffee combination in Italian cuisine. Just 2 ingredients: quality espresso and good ice cream.
Is Affogato a Dessert or a Drink?
In Italy, affogato is a dessert, not a drink. It is served after meals and eaten with a spoon. However, many cafes worldwide also serve it as a beverage. The correct answer: it is both!
How to Make Affogato
Ingredients - 1 scoop of quality vanilla ice cream (~60g) - 30ml freshly brewed hot espresso - Optional: 1 tablespoon amaretto liqueur or dark chocolate shavings
Step-by-Step Recipe
Step 1: Place 1 scoop of ice cream in a small glass or ceramic cup. The ice cream should be very firm — do not let it sit after removing from freezer.
Step 2: Brew 30ml hot espresso. There should be a crema layer. Freshness is essential — pour over ice cream within 10 seconds.
Step 3: Slowly pour espresso over the ice cream. Watch the moment hot coffee meets cold ice cream — the edges will start melting.
Step 4: Serve immediately! Affogato does not wait. Eat with a spoon, drink the melting ice cream-espresso mixture.
