What is an affogato?
Is it a coffee? Is it a dessert? Whichever way you look at it, an affogato is a treat for any coffee lover. When made with high-quality ingredients, an affogato is something to savor: a delightful combination of vanilla ice cream and rich espresso.
The origin of the macchiato
Originating from Italy, the name ‘affogato’ literally translates to ‘drowned,’ meaning that the ice cream becomes ‘drowned’ in coffee. The exact place, inventor or event date associated with the first affogato is unknown, though it’s likely to have been sometime in the 1900s after the popularisation of the espresso machine.
Affogato recipe
Ingredients
An affogato is simple, consisting of just 2 ingredients.
- Single scoop of ‘Fior de latte’ (a gelato made using just milk, cream and sugar), or high-quality vanilla ice cream.
- Double espresso shot.
How to make a macchiato:
- Grind enough coffee for a double espresso.
- Extract a double espresso shot into a shot glass or small jug.
- Add a single scoop of gelato or ice cream to a small bowl or cup.
- Pour over the espresso just before serving.
Points to note:
In its most traditional form, the affogato is just two ingredients, but the following variations or additions are now also commonly offered:
- ‘Decorated’ affogatos served with crumbed biscotti or chocolate syrup.
- Alcoholic affogatos served with a liquer of your choosing. The most traditional version of an alcoholic affogato is called ‘affogato corretto’ and is served with grappa, an Italian grape brandy.
- It is also becoming increasingly common to switch up the flavor of ice cream or gelato used; in Brazil fruit ice creams are popular, whilst elsewhere chocolate, caramel or even pistachio ice creams are on offer.
FAQs
How do you drink/eat an affogato?
Affogatos are eaten with a spoon, ideally while the coffee is still warm and before the ice cream melts.
When would you eat an affogato?
The usual time to enjoy an affogato is after lunch or dinner. They would also make an ideal pick-me-up for the mid-afternoon slump.
What’s the best type of coffee to use for an affogato?
Since there are just two ingredients, the coffee you use for the affogato should be high quality. A rich, medium-dark roasted coffee works best and something with notes of chocolate, caramel or nuts is truly delightful
Looking for other recipes? Read our article about coffee drinks explained.
