| Type | Beverage |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Gelato or ice cream (vanilla), espresso |
An affogato (/ˌɑːfəˈɡɑːtoʊ, ˌæf-/), more traditionally known as "affogato al caffe"[1] (Italian for "drowned in coffee"), is an Italian coffee-based dessert. It usually takes the form of a scoop of plain milk-flavored (fior di latte) or vanilla gelato or ice cream topped or "drowned" with a shot of hot espresso. Some variations also include a shot of amaretto, Bicerin, Kahlua, or other liqueur.[2][3][4][5][6]
Though restaurants and cafes in Italy categorize the affogato as a dessert, some restaurants and cafes outside of Italy categorize it as a beverage.[7] Whether a dessert or beverage, restaurants and cafes usually serve the affogato in a tall narrowing glass, allowing the fior di latte, vanilla gelato, or ice cream to melt and combine with espresso into the hollowed space in the bottom of the glass.[6] Occasionally, coconut, berries, honeycomb and multiple flavors of ice cream are added.[8] A biscotto or cookie can also be served and enjoyed alongside this beverage.[9] Affogati are often enjoyed as a post-meal coffee dessert combo eaten and or drunk with a spoon or straw. [10][1]
While the recipe of the affogato is more or less standard in Italy, consisting of a scoop of fior di latte (unflavored) or vanilla gelato topped with a shot of espresso, variations exist in European and American restaurants.[11]
The origins of the affogato in Italian history are unknown,[12] but it gained popularity in Italy during the 1950s. This coincided with the industrialization of ice cream production.[13] In America, the word affogato was included in English dictionaries as of 1992.[14]
