Afogato: A sweet Italian vice that combines coffee and ice cream

When hot Italian temperament and icy sweetness come together, the result is an affogato – a simple yet utterly decadent dessert that promises a mini hedonistic break.

Forget tiramisu and panna cotta, the Italians have another trump card and it's time for us to take it seriously too. Affogato It's the kind of dessert that can be made in a minute but is remembered for days. Perfect for those who want a little something extra with their coffee – or for those who want a caffeine hit with their ice cream.

What exactly is an affogato?

Afogato means “drowned,” and that’s exactly what happens when a hot espresso is poured over a cold scoop of vanilla ice cream. The classic Italian treat has moved from the cafés of Milan to menus around the world, experiencing a renaissance among coffee lovers, sweet tooths, and everyone in between.

Simple on paper, but pure magic on the palate. The combination of hot and cold, bitter and sweet, creamy and liquid creates a perfect harmony for the palate.

How do we make affogato at home?

You don't need a cooking class in Tuscany to make affogato, just a few basic ingredients and five minutes of your time. Here's how:

Ingridients:

1 scoop of good quality vanilla ice cream
1 freshly prepared espresso (about 30 ml)
(Optional) Chocolate shavings, ground hazelnuts, Amaretto or Baileys for finishing touches

Process:

Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a glass or small cup.
Just before serving, pour freshly prepared espresso over the ice cream.
If desired, add chocolate shavings, nuts or a dash of liqueur.

Which onion is used for which dish? Yellow, white or red?

Voilà! Your affogato is ready. Serve immediately before this sweet duo completely melds into one.

Variations for the bold and curious

Afogato has a basic formula, but who says you can't play around with it? Also try:

With pistachio ice cream for Mediterranean chic.
With vegan coconut ice cream for plant-based lovers.
With iced espresso for hot days when we want a little less contrast.
With zucchini bread on the side – because affogato also loves cake.

Afogato: a small luxury for every day

An affogato is quick, elegant, and more than worth every calorie. It's that moment of the day when we take time for ourselves and say, "I deserve it." And of course you do. Always.

Prepare it when you have visitors, when you want to impress as a cool host, or just like that, on Tuesday nights when you're running out of shows and need to fill your soul with something beautiful.