Italian
Affogato al Caffè
Vanilla gelato drowned in hot espresso - the simplest, most perfect dessert
sweetEasyItalian
Prep5 min0Total5 minServes2Tempcold
✓ vegetarian✓ gluten-free
⚠ Contains: 🥛 Dairy
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 scoopsvanilla gelato(or ice cream)
- 2 shotshot espresso(freshly brewed)
- 2 tbspamaretto(optional)
- biscotti(for serving)
- chocolate shavings(optional garnish)
Make Ahead
Gelato can be pre-scooped. Espresso must be freshly brewed and poured at the table.
Instructions
- 1Chill two small glasses or cups
- 2Place 2 scoops of gelato in each glass
- 3Pour hot espresso over gelato at the table
- 4Add splash of amaretto if desired
- 5Garnish with chocolate shavings
- 6Serve immediately with biscotti
- 7Eat quickly before it all melts together
Notes
Pro Tips
Quality gelato and freshly brewed espresso are essential - this dish has nowhere to hide. Pour espresso at the table for drama and to ensure it's hot. Work quickly - the fun is in the contrast of temperatures. Amaretto adds almond notes that complement the coffee.
History & Origin
Affogato means "drowned" in Italian, describing the vanilla gelato submerged in hot espresso. This simple dessert originated in Milan and has become a beloved end to meals in Italian restaurants worldwide. The contrast of hot and cold, bitter and sweet, is pure magic.
Cocktail Pairings
Bellini
Perfect theme pairing - designed for the same party style
Mezcal Negroni
Italian aperitivo tradition - bitters and bites
Negroni Sbagliato
Italian aperitivo tradition - bitters and bites
Shrub Spritzer
Italian aperitivo tradition - bitters and bites
Hugo Spritz
Italian aperitivo tradition - bitters and bites
Aperol Spritz
Italian aperitivo tradition - bitters and bites
Pairs Well With
amarettofrangelicocognacgrappa
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Italian◆Easy