Affogato

The Ultimate Grown-Up Dessert

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 07/19/23
Tested by
Diana Andrews
Headshot of Diana Andrews
Tested by Diana Andrews
Diana earned her B.A. in Fine Art at Queens College and her culinary certification from the Institute of Culinary Education. Diana has served as head recipe developer and editor for Emmy-nominated PBS series Moveable Feast, food editor and test kitchen manager at Fine Cooking Magazine, and recipe developer, and product tester at Food Network.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Affogato in a cup

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 dessert

When you make an affogato, there's no need to choose between coffee and dessert after dinner. This brilliant Italian treat combines espresso with ice cream and it's incredibly easy to make, even after a long meal. While it's perfect for a dinner party, an affogato is simply too delightful to reserve for special occasions—enjoy one anytime you need an utterly delicious pick-me-up.

What Does Affogato Mean?

The affogato was designed to feature two of Italy's favorite things: espresso and gelato. Literally meaning "drowned," affogato first appeared in the dictionary in the early 1990s and the dessert drink has since found fans worldwide. You can make it with espresso and vanilla gelato, or switch to strongly brewed coffee and vanilla ice cream. If you like, spike it with a liqueur—amaretto, hazelnut, and Irish cream are favorites.

How Much Caffeine Is In an Affogato?

The amount of caffeine in an affogato will depend on the coffee you use, but an average shot of espresso has about 50 milligrams of caffeine. If you use

The Serving Trick for Making a Perfect Affogato at Home

In theory, pouring hot coffee over ice cream would cause it to melt, but that's not the case here. The trick is to serve it in an ice-cold glass or dessert dish. This balances out the temperature difference and the coffee will slide down the sides of the glass, encasing the sweet frozen cream.

Place glasses in the freezer for at least 15 minutes—or before you sit down for dinner—and they'll be ready for your special dessert.

More Helpful Affogato Tips

  • Espresso is traditional in the affogato, but it's not necessary. Instead, brew the strongest coffee you can. A French press, pour-over brewer, or moka pot will create a flavorful, rich coffee that's perfect for this treat.
  • For the best affogato, use a gelato or ice cream flavored with real vanilla beans. The vanilla flavor will be more intense and natural, a great pairing for the coffee.

"Affogato is absolutely delicious! I served this as part of a dessert with a very simple pound cake. Everybody loved it!" —Diana Andrews

Affogato/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 scoop vanilla gelato, or ice cream

  • 2 ounces hot espresso, or strongly brewed hot coffee

  • Grated chocolate, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Affogato ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  2. In a chilled glass or dessert dish, place a large scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream.

    Ice cream served in a cup

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  3. Slowly pour the espresso or coffee over the ice cream.

    Coffee poured over ice cream in a cup

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  4. Garnish with shaved or grated chocolate, and serve with a spoon.

    Affogato in cups

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Recipe Variations

  • If desired, pour an ounce of the liqueur of your choice over the ice cream. Hazelnut (e.g., Frangelico) and amaretto liqueurs add a nice nuttiness, though some people enjoy it with Irish cream. Coffee liqueur and espresso vodka are good options, too.
  • For even more flavor dimension, pour a dessert wine, such as sherry or a tawny port. Moscatos or ice wines can be interesting but may get lost behind the coffee flavor.
  • Italian amaros are a very interesting addition. A flavorful bitter like Averna or Ramazotti can make a big impact on an affogato.
  • Switch from vanilla to chocolate or coffee ice cream.
  • During the cold months, sprinkle the affogato with ground cinnamon or nutmeg for a seasonal touch.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
237 Calories
15g Fat
23g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 237
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 8g 42%
Cholesterol 144mg 48%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Total Carbohydrate 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 21g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 102mg 8%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 185mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)