Affogato Recipe

Learn how to make an Affogato at home! It’s so easy with only two ingredients required. A scoop of gelato topped with freshly brewed espresso. We have tips and tricks to make so many delicious flavors of your favorite Affogato recipe. Plus, options on what liquor pairs with the flavors the best!

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I’m showing you how to make the most amazing Italian dessert – affogato! If you’ve never had it, it’s gelato topped with hot espresso. It’s so easy, and even though it’s simple, it’s so delicious. The coffee with the creamy gelato is the perfect match. If you love coffee and ice cream, you will love it!

What is Affogato?

This is a classic Italian dessert that is so easy to make at home – no trip to Italy required. What I love about it is that it’s delicious in its most basic form with just vanilla gelato and espresso, but you can also dress it up with add-ins to make a decadent dessert.

I’m showing you how to make the base affogato recipe, plus sharing ideas for making spiked affogato and a variety of flavors you can make with some added ingredients.

This is the perfect dessert for dinner parties or when you want to surprise your family. You can make boozy affogato for the grown-ups and plain ones for the kids.

Ingredients

You only need two ingredients for a classic affogato recipe – gelato and freshly brewed espresso!

You can make it as simple or dressed-up as you want, including making affogato with alcohol. I’m showing you all the ways!

How to Make It

Brew the espresso and while you wait for it, scoop two scoops of gelato into a mug or small bowl. Vanilla is traditional, but any flavor that pairs well with coffee will work.

Once the coffee is brewed, pour it over the ice cream and serve it right away. The hot espresso will melt the ice cream making the creamiest dessert that’s both hot and cold. It’s a great combination!

What Alcohol Goes with Affogato?

Some simple ways to dress it up are to add a liquor like Frangelico, Baileys Irish Cream, Chocolate liqueur, Kahlua, or Peppermint Schnapps! Just pour one ounce over the top of the coffee before you serve it.

You can also sprinkle chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips, or chocolate sauce over the top too.

Try These Flavor Combinations!

If you want to take it a step further, try one of these flavor combinations to make it even better! Add the booze for the grown-ups and omit it for the kiddos so everyone can have a special treat.

• Nutella: Chocolate Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, Chopped Hazelnuts, Frangelico Liquor (optional)
• Turtle: Chocolate Gelato, Caramel Sauce, Chopped Pecans
• S’mores: Chocolate Gelato, Mini Marshmallows, Chopped Graham Cracker, Bailey’s Irish Cream (optional)
• Triple Chocolate: Chocolate Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, Mini Chocolate Chips, Godiva Chocolate Liquor (optional)
• Mocha: Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce, Kahlua Coffee Liquor (optional)
• Peppermint Mocha: Chocolate Ice Cream, Peppermint Schnapps (optional), Peppermint Pieces, Mini Chocolate Chips

FAQs

Whether you make spiked affogato with all the toppings or keep it simple with just the gelato and espresso, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love this recipe! It’s so fun to make for a special occasion or whenever you want that delicious coffee and ice cream combo!

More Amazing Dessert Drink Recipes

Sometimes it’s nice to have a sweet drink after dinner – here are a few more we love to make!

• Homemade Eggnog is like a dessert in a mug! It’s rich, creamy, and easy to make. You’ll skip the store-bought kind after you give this recipe a try.
• A Hot Buttered Rum is a classic hot drink that is creamy, buttery, and rich. It’s so easy to make and will warm you up on a cold night.
• For the kids, make a batch of Homemade Hot Chocolate! Dress it up with marshmallows and sprinkles for their own sweet drink.
• Whipped Coffee, also known as Dalgona Coffee, is a quick and easy treat.
• Homemade Pumpkin Hot Chocolate Recipe Uses Real Pumpkin Puree and Pumpkin Pie Spices to Add a Fall Spin to a Classic Drink!

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5 from 3 votes

Affogato

Quick and easy dessert beverage made of gelato and espresso!1

Prep:5 minutes mins

Total:5 minutes mins

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Ingredients

Base Affogato

• ▢ 2 large scoops gelato see below for flavor combinations
• ▢ 1 ounce freshly brewed espresso

Add-Ins, all optional

• ▢ 1 ounce liquor of choice see below for flavor combinations
• ▢ Mini Chocolate Chips
• ▢ Caramel Sauce
• ▢ Chocolate Sauce
• ▢ Chopped Nuts

Instructions

• Scoop the gelato to a small bowl. Pour over the hot espresso. Top with any desired add-ins. Serve immediately.

Tips

Flavor Combinations:

• Nutella: Chocolate Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, Chopped Hazelnuts, Frangelico Liquor (optional)
• Turtle: Chocolate Gelato, Caramel Sauce, Chopped Pecans
• S’mores: Chocolate Gelato, Mini Marshmallows, Chopped Graham Cracker, Bailey’s Irish Cream (optional)
• Triple Chocolate: Chocolate Gelato, Chocolate Sauce, Mini Chocolate Chips, Godiva Chocolate Liquor (optional)
• Mocha: Chocolate Ice Cream, Chocolate Sauce, Kahlua Coffee Liquor (optional)
• Peppermint Mocha: Chocolate Ice Cream, Peppermint Schnapps (optional), Peppermint Pieces, Mini Chocolate Chips

Can you use regular ice cream instead of gelato?

Yes, regular ice cream will work but gelato is traditional! One thing about gelato is that it is creamier and denser than ice cream. It works really well with the hot espresso.

Can you use cold espresso instead?

What makes affogato so amazing is the combination of hot espresso with the cold gelato. Of course, you can do what you like but just keep in mind that chilled espresso is very bitter – it just won’t be the same.

I don’t have an espresso machine! Can I use regular coffee instead?

If you don’t have a way to make espresso, you can substitute very strong brewed coffee. I recommend using a good quality coffee that is dark and robust and brew it stronger than you would for a regular cup of coffee.

Is affogato a dessert or drink?

It’s a little of both! Technically, it’s a dessert – sort of like a milkshake since you can sip on it as the ice cream melts but also eat it with a spoon.

What’s the best way to serve it?

I like to serve it in mugs. Since the espresso melts the gelato, serving it in a mug or narrow, small bowl will keep it from getting to soupy.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 558kcal (28%), Carbohydrates: 56g (19%), Protein: 8g (16%), Fat: 26g (40%), Saturated Fat: 16g (100%), Cholesterol: 104mg (35%), Sodium: 194mg (8%), Potassium: 471mg (13%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 50g (56%), Vitamin A: 996IU (20%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 303mg (30%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

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We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.