Affogato

Plenty of fun coffee shop-inspired drinks are out there, but none are as indulgent as an affogato. Just like an exquisite bite of tiramisu, this simple Italian dessert will transport you to Italy in about a minute.

An affogato recipe will win your heart with its combination of cold vanilla gelato and hot espresso or strong coffee. It’s like a dressed-up, after-dinner espresso, perfect to serve following a feast of hearty Italian pasta.

What is affogato?

Pronounced ah-fo-gah-toe, this Italian treat is a combination of espresso and gelato. Occasionally you’ll see this dessert drink listed as affogato al caffe, which means “drowned coffee” in Italian.

To make an affogato recipe, gelato (or ice cream) is covered in delicious espresso. And pouring the coffee over the gelato is half the fun! When the espresso hits the gelato, the gelato starts to melt and a thick, swirly foam of ice cream and coffee forms.

Ingredients for Affogato

• Gelato: There isn’t too big of a difference between gelato and ice cream. If you prefer one over the other, go for your preference! However, since it’s one of two ingredients, we recommend you pick the highest quality gelato or ice cream you can get for this affogato coffee recipe. Grab one of the best vanilla ice cream or gelato brands from the store. Or, go the extra mile with homemade vanilla ice cream.
• Espresso: A rich, complex-tasting shot of espresso starts with a bag of the best espresso beans. A large espresso bean pool that includes bold and smooth flavors as well as budget-friendly or splurge-worthy choices is available. Choose an espresso shot that’s perfect for you.

Directions

Step 1: Scoop the gelato

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Scoop one to two scoops of gelato into a serving glass.

Editor’s Tip: Run your scooper under hot water so it’s easier to dig out nice scoops of gelato.

Step 2: Pour espresso over the gelato

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Pull shots of espresso, then pour the espresso over the cold gelato. When the espresso hits the gelato, the gelato should start to melt and form a thick, swirly foam of cream and coffee. Repeat for additional servings. If desired, dust with espresso powder. Enjoy immediately!

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Recipe Variations

• Try a different gelato or ice cream flavor: Skip the vanilla and opt for creamy chocolate or salted caramel. If you really love coffee, you could even use coffee ice cream instead of vanilla. Whatever flavor you choose for this affogato coffee recipe, make sure it’s a high-quality ice cream brand.
• Make it boozy: Along with the shot of espresso, pour in one shot of rum, Irish cream, Kahlua, Frangelico or other hazelnut liqueur, amaretto, Cognac or bourbon.
• Finish with toppings: Personalize this recipe for affogato by topping it with chocolate shavings, cookie or biscotti crumbles, candied nuts, honeycomb pieces, sea salt, smoked salt, chocolate-covered espresso beans, cacao nibs or whipped cream. Or, go all out by making an affogato sundae.

How to Store Affogato

It may be a bit difficult to store any leftover affogato, as one component is almost frozen and the other is piping hot. However, if you must save your leftovers, stick your affogato in the freezer. Just know the espresso will freeze and you won’t have the hot-cold aspect—it would be really nice on a hot summer evening, though!

Can you make affogato recipes ahead of time?

Yes, you can make a recipe for affogato ahead of time, but the most you can do is portion the gelato into the clear glass. The shot of espresso must be made as soon as you’re ready to serve it so it’s piping hot and partially melts the gelato.

Affogato Tips

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What’s the best espresso machine to have at home?

We put together a list of the top-rated espresso machine brands so you can pull beautiful espresso shots whenever the caffeine slump hits. Whether it’s for an anytime affogato, a trendy espresso martini or homemade coffee shop drinks, we know the desire to have an espresso machine at home is strong.

How do I make an espresso without a machine?

While it won’t technically be considered espresso if you don’t use an espresso machine, you can brew an espresso-style coffee without a machine. Using a moka pot is the easiest way to brew very strong coffee that has a similar creamy consistency as espresso. The best part is that a small moka pot makes the perfect serving size for two affogato recipes.

If you don’t have a moka pot, try brewing extra strong coffee with a regular coffee pot or a French press.