How to Make a Really Great Affogato at Home
An affogato is most commonly made with vanilla gelato, though a quality vanilla bean ice cream works, too. You can even switch it up to use flavored ice creams such as chocolate or mint chip, or try coffee or mocha for an extra hit of caffeine. Better yet, make your own gelato or ice cream from scratch.
As for the ratio of gelato to espresso, a classic affogato is made with two cups gelato to one shot of espresso. But when you’re making it at home, this ratio is flexible, and can easily be adjusted based on who you’re serving. When I was a kid, the ratio of gelato to espresso was a little (ok, a lot) higher, but watching my grandma pour the hot espresso over the cold gelato — however skimpy her pour may have been — had me hooked nonetheless.
Someone pouring amaretto over top of affogato.
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell
How to Make an Affogato Without an Espresso Machine
If you have an espresso machine at home, this is the method to use. Just brew a shot of your favorite espresso and pour it over your gelato. But you can still enjoy an affogato at home by using another brewing method, such as a stovetop espresso maker or a standard coffee maker (if this is the case, brew extra strong coffee). With either method, brew enough espresso or coffee for the number of individuals being served.
Someone scooping affogato onto spoon.
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell
How to Serve (and Eat!) an Affogato
In my opinion, serving an affogato in a clear glass is a must — watching the espresso hit the gelato and begin to melt together is part of the experience. You’ll want to have the gelato pre-portioned into glasses and ready to go, so that once the espresso or coffee is brewed you can pour the shot over the top, add a splash of liqueur, and serve immediately.
While the traditional affogato is topping-free, feel free to add a little something before serving. I like fresh whipped cream, shaved chocolate, crumbled biscotti, or crushed hazelnuts. As for how to eat it, an affogato is best enjoyed with a spoon before sipping back the remaining espresso.
Someone pouring espresso over ice cream.
Credit: Photo: Tara Donne | Food Stylist: Cyd McDowell
Here's how to make a really great affogato at home.
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RECIPE
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How to Make a Really Great Affogato at Home
YIELD
Serves 1
PREP TIME
5 minutes
SHOW NUTRITION
INGREDIENTS
1 shot espresso
2 scoops vanilla gelato or ice cream
1 splash amaretto
Shaved dark chocolate, for serving
EQUIPMENT
Small drinking glass
Ice cream scoop
Espresso maker
INSTRUCTIONS
Brew the espresso. Using your desired brewing method, brew 1 shot espresso.
Scoop the ice cream. As the espresso is brewing, drop 2 scoops vanilla gelato or ice cream into a small drinking glass.
Add the espresso and amaretto. Pour the espresso shot and 1 splash amaretto over the ice cream.
Garnish and serve. Top with shaved dark chocolate and serve immediately.