Affogato Recipe - an Italian classic (2024)

FAQs

Is affogato actually Italian? ›

Affogato originated in Italy, so for authenticity's sake, seek out Italian gelato and espresso beans.

Affogati are often enjoyed as a post-meal coffee dessert combo eaten with a spoon and/or drunk with a straw.

It's also made with Fair Trade vanilla beans, and Jeni's Ice Cream was woman-founded by James Beard Awardee Jeni Britton. A close contender as the absolute best vanilla ice cream for affogato is Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean.

An affogato is typically served in a small, shallow, cylindrical glass dish. If you don't have a designated dessert bowl that fits this description, a rocks glass works perfectly.

The affogato's origin story is suspect. According to Porte, we may owe credit to the 17th-century Franciscan friar Angelico (the same cleric who brought us the hazelnut-based Frangelico liqueur), but more likely, the affogato appeared in Italy sometime in the 1950s when the ice cream industry modernized.

Affogato literally means “drowned” in Italian. The word is used to describe when a liquid is poured over a food, usually cold food, but it can also describe cooking techniques using minimal liquid at a temperature of 175-185 °F, which should never reach the boiling point.

In Italy, the Affogato is typically served after lunch or dinner.

As for how to eat it, an affogato is best enjoyed with a spoon before sipping back the remaining espresso. Here's how to make a really great affogato at home.

A Marocchino coffee has 3 key flavors that work in harmony together... coffee, frothy milk and chocolate. You don't need to be a barista or coffee connoisseur to make this tasty Italian coffee as its really easy to make at home.

To ensure your drink is prepared to your preference, make sure to let the barista know when you place your order. Enjoying an affogato at Starbucks is a great way to add a delightful flavor twist and extra caffeine kick to all your favorite Frappuccinos.

How to order an affogato in Italy? ›

"Vorrei un affogato al caffè, per favore." The "affogato" could be considered a dessert by many, but it is the perfect choice for a hot summer day. Make sure to order it "al caffè" as there are many variatons of it.

An affogato means something a little different at Starbucks. Instead of espresso poured on top of gelato, an affogato is a shot of espresso poured on top of any drink, usually a Frappuccino. What is this? To order a drink with an espresso shot on top, (not blended in), ask for it to be made with an affogato-style shot.

AFFOGATO OR ESPRESSO CON PANNA? What's the difference? Not much. An affogato is essentially a scoop of vanilla ice cream (gelato) with an espresso poured on top, while an espresso con panna is an espresso with whipped double cream and a few little extras.

Classic ice cream sundae

Classic sundaes are typically named after flavored syrup employed in the recipe: cherry sundae, chocolate sundae, strawberry sundae, raspberry sundae, etc. The classic sundae is traditionally served in a tulip-shaped, footed glass vase.

The origins of the affogato are a mystery. While it definitely comes from Italy, the land of coffee and gelato, the when is a little unclear. The dessert-beverage fusion uses espresso, so it must have originated after the invention of the first espresso machine in the 19th century.

The affogato began in Italy, somewhere

However, some say that a medieval friar called Angelico from the Piedmont region of Italy spontaneously blended ice cream with espresso, creating affogatos.

The affogato is a dessert made with two main ingredients: vanilla ice cream and espresso. Originally invented in Italy, the word “affogato” literally translates as “drowned” in English. This is fitting, as the affogato is no more than a scoop of ice cream “drowned” in espresso.