What is an Affogato?
An after-dinner coffee that infuses elements of dessert, theItalian Affogatois a sophisticated way to sweeten up your espresso. While many countries have their own variations of ice cream coffee, the original Affogato is a distinctly Italian offering. Treasured for its combination of two distinct flavour profiles, you can create a perfect Affogato experience at home with yourNespressomachine.
In this guide we explore where ice cream coffee started and the different variations of Affogato coffee that you can make at home. A total indulgence, you’ll want to have this saved for the next time you host dinner.
Ice Cream & Coffee Variations
Affogato coffee ingredients differ from place to place, but the dessert-infused coffee beverage originally gained prominence in Italy in the 1950s, around the time the ice cream industry became modernised.
The Italian Affogato coffee is the most traditional version and combines a single or double shot of espresso with a scoop of quality vanilla gelato, served in a small glass. Other variations use different methods, such as the Brazilian Affogato, which contains espresso and condensed milk as the liquid base, before adding a scoop of chocolate ice cream over that with chocolate sprinkles. You can of course add whichever toppings you like, but we recommend keeping your ice cream and espresso as the main focus for a true Affogato experience.
Choosing the Right Espresso for Your Affogato
All coffees are about balance, and an Affogato is no exception. What makes Affogato coffee so alluring is the combination of two contrasting flavours – the sweet creaminess of ice cream and the full-bodied, bitter profile of espresso. To achieve this it’s important to select a strong, rich espresso blend. We suggest opting for aNespresso capsulelikeIntensoor Roma coffee pod, which are intensely roasted with cocoa or cereal notes. The robustness of these blends compliments the high sweetness of ice cream for a well-rounded result.
How to Make an Affogato
Affogato coffees only require a few simple steps to make but never fail to impress. For a sophisticated dessert offering next time you host, let’s walk through how to make an Affogato.
To make an Affogato, you’ll need your espresso selection and vanilla ice cream. Into a glass vessel, add a single scoop of ice cream. Then extract coffee along the side of the glass with your espresso machine such as theCreatista Pro. Either finish here, or add any other topping you might like. Serve your Affogato with a spoon and you’re done!
