Last Updated on 26/09/2021 by Miki
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If you’ve never had an affogato shot before, you’re seriously missing out on one of the best espresso-based desserts on the planet! An affogato consists of a shot of espresso and a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it’s perfect for those who enjoy coffee-flavoured desserts like myself. The flavours mix together to form a creamy, wonderful dessert that will help warm you up on a cold night but can be enjoyed on any occasion. The mixture of the hot coffee and the cold vanilla ice cream will create a rich, creamy taste that can’t be beaten.
Personally, I don’t really enjoy desserts if they are too sweet. An affogato is totally my kind of dessert because the ice cream would taste less sweet with a shot of espresso. The best affogato I have had was the one served with some Frangelico (Italian hazelnut liqueur) in a restaurant a while ago. It’s got everything I like: coffee, ice cream and Frangelico. What else could I ask for? It was so delicious that I wouldn’t forget it. Ever.
What Is An Affogato?
An affogato is a coffee-based dessert that is originally invented in Italy. The name comes from the Italian term “affogato” meaning “to submerge” or “to drown”. In other words, the dish has a scoop of ice cream topped with a shot of espresso. An affogato is typically considered an after-dinner dessert that is served warm. It became popular in Italy during the summer months. An affogato is fairly easy to make and takes very little time to make which makes it perfect for those of us looking for a quick dessert after work or at the end of a long day.
The rich, dark espresso flavour is the perfect balance to the cold ice cream. As the espresso is mixed with ice cream, it melts the cold dessert. The taste is out of this world. The only downside to an affogato is that it is impossible to have just one! You may be wondering whether an affogato is a drink or a dessert. Well, I would say it’s a dessert as it’s typically served with a spoon and people eat the ice cream, not drink it.
How Much Caffeine Does Affogato Shot Have?
An affogato is generally composed of one shot of espresso and one scoop of vanilla gelato/ice cream. A typical shot of espresso has around 65-75ml of caffeine, but it can range anywhere from 40-120mg. So, the caffeine content in an affogato is actually hard to determine. It depends on how you prepare your espresso for an affogato. You can check this article for caffeine in a shot of espresso.
How To Order An Affogato Shot At Starbucks
Did you know you could order an affogato shot at Starbucks? It might not be widely known. However, a Starbucks affogato is a favourite among both coffee and dessert lovers, especially for those who are looking for that perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Here are the steps to order this popular drink at your local Starbucks.
- Walk up to the counter and order your favourite frappucino.
- Ask for the espresso shot.
- Request if you’d like any flavour syrup, like hazelnut, caramel, vanilla bean or any of their seasonal flavours.
It may not be available at every single Starbucks, but you should definitely try!
How To Make An Affogato
An affogato is a popular dessert typically served after dinner, consisting of espresso poured over gelato or ice cream, giving it a rich creaminess. Traditionally, the creaminess of the coffee combined with the richness of the gelato is an exquisite experience. For those who are unfamiliar with how to make an affogato, the process is quite simple.
- First, it is necessary to prepare an espresso shot. You can certainly make two shots if you like. After this is completed, simply put the espresso into a small cup.
- The next step is to pour the desired amount of gelato or ice cream into a dish. It’s typically vanilla flavour and I think it’s the best match. Having said that, you can experiment with other flavours. I might try the coffee ice cream!
- The final step is to pour the espresso over the gelato. If you would like to make the affogato even more decadent, then add some liqueur. I highly recommend using Frangelico 🙂
How To Pronounce An Affogato
The word “Affogato” is derived from the Italian verb “affogare” which means to drench, to plunge into water, to overwhelm, or to drown. An affogato is pronounced “ahf-foe-GAH-toh”. I have found this YouTube video so that you can learn how to pronounce it as well as interesting explanations.
Final Thoughts
As you have already known from this article, an affogato is an Italian dessert combining espresso and gelato. The espresso is mixed into the gelato to create the perfect combination of creamy sugar and caffeine. The result is a rich, yet refreshing dessert. If you love coffee and gelato, then an affogato is highly likely to become your favourite dessert. So, the next time you’re out for coffee, instead of grabbing a latte or an iced coffee, be experimental and order an affogato! Or even better, you can simple make it at home.
