Affogato

Affogato

Type	Dessert
Place of origin	Italy
Main ingredients	Gelato or ice cream (vanilla), espresso
Cookbook: Affogato   Media: Affogato

Affogato (/ˌɑːfəˈɡɑːtoʊ, ˌæf-/), known in full in Italian as affogato al caffè (lit. 'drowned in coffee')^[1] and gelato affogato al caffè^{[citation needed]} (lit. 'gelato drowned in coffee'), is an Italian dessert comprising a scoop of gelato or ice cream, either plain milk-flavored (fior di latte) or vanilla, topped with hot espresso. Some variations add a shot of amaretto, bicerin, Kahlúa, or other liqueur.^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Although restaurants and cafés in Italy categorize the affogato as a dessert, some restaurants and cafés outside of Italy categorize it as a beverage.^[7] Whether a dessert or beverage, restaurants, and cafés usually serve the affogato in a tall glass with a narrow bottom, allowing the ice cream to melt and combine with the espresso at the bottom of the glass.^[6] Occasionally, coconut, berries, honeycomb, and multiple flavors of ice cream are added.^[8] A biscotti can also be served alongside.^[9] Affogatos are often enjoyed as a post-meal coffee dessert combo eaten with a spoon and/or drunk with a straw.^[10][1]

While the recipe of the affogato is more or less standard in Italy, consisting of a scoop of fior di latte (plain milk-flavored) or vanilla gelato topped with a shot of espresso, variations exist in European and North American restaurants.^[11]

Various desserts of ice cream in other liquids are documented, including whisky,^[12] hot chocolate, soda, kirsch, vin santo,^[13] and port wine.^[14]

The origins of the affogato are unknown,^[15] but it gained popularity in Italy during the 1950s. This coincided with the industrialization of ice cream production.^[16] English-language dictionaries document the use of affogato in 1988.^[17][18]

Media related to Affogato at Wikimedia Commons Affogato at the Wikibooks Cookbook subproject

• List of coffee drinks