Updated: September 2026.
An affogato is an Italian dessert made of a scoop of ice cream, usually vanilla, topped with a freshly pulled hot espresso. Its name means "drowned" in Italian, because the ice cream is "drowned" in coffee. It takes a couple of minutes to make and is eaten with a spoon before the ice cream melts completely.
Few combinations are as simple and delicious: the contrast between hot, bitter coffee and cold, sweet ice cream creates an explosion of flavors. Here we show you how to make the perfect affogato with Colombian specialty coffee, which coffee and ice cream to choose, and a few variations.
How Do You Make an Affogato? Step-by-Step Recipe
Ingredients (1 affogato):
- 1 generous scoop (about 2-3 oz / 60-80 g) of vanilla ice cream, or your favorite flavor.
- 1 espresso (about 1 oz / 30 ml) made with 7-9 g of specialty coffee. We recommend our Honey Coffee or our Natural Coffee.
- Cocoa powder, grated chocolate or a cookie to garnish (optional).
Equipment: an espresso machine, a coffee grinder and a glass or dessert cup, ideally chilled.
- Chill the glass in the freezer for a few minutes, so the ice cream melts more slowly.
- Scoop the ice cream into the cold glass.
- Grind the coffee just before brewing, very fine, almost like powder. A good grinder is key.
- Pull the espresso, with a thick, golden crema. To master this base, read our guide to making the perfect espresso at home.
- Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream, right as you serve.
- Garnish with cocoa powder or grated chocolate if you like, and enjoy it right away.
If you don't have an espresso machine, you can make a concentrated coffee with an AeroPress or a moka pot. The result will be a little less intense, but just as delicious.
Which Coffee Should You Use for an Affogato?
An affogato needs an espresso with enough character not to get lost against the ice cream, but with sweetness and complexity to complement its creaminess:
| Coffee | Tasting notes | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Honey | Honey, spices, peach | Its natural sweetness pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream |
| Natural | Chocolate, red berries, wild strawberry | Its fruity notes create a delicious contrast |
| Silver | Coconut, honey, vanilla | Its tropical, sweet notes are enhanced by the cold |
Which Ice Cream Should You Use for an Affogato?
- Vanilla: the classic choice, the one that best lets the coffee shine.
- Chocolate: for chocolate lovers; it recalls a mocha.
- Caramel or dulce de leche: brings out the sweet notes of honey coffee.
- Hazelnut: a very Italian combination.
- Coffee: a double coffee experience for true enthusiasts.
Choose a creamy, good-quality ice cream: ice creams with a lot of air melt too quickly.
Affogato Variations
- Affogato with liqueur: add a splash of hazelnut, coffee or amaretto liqueur over the espresso (for adults only).
- Cold affogato: use concentrated cold brew instead of hot espresso for a completely cold version.
- French press affogato: a strong French press coffee works as an alternative if you don't have a machine.
- Crunchy affogato: add crushed cookies, nuts or grated chocolate for texture.
Tips for a Perfect Affogato
- Pull the espresso at the last moment: its heat and crema are what make the dessert.
- If you want it sweeter, add a little simple syrup to the espresso before pouring.
- For a more elegant presentation, serve it with a vanilla cookie or a mint leaf.
- Serve it in a glass: the contrast between ice cream and coffee is part of its charm.
If you like drinks that combine coffee and sweetness, don't miss the mocha or our 25 coffee recipes. And remember that starting with a good Colombian gourmet coffee makes all the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Affogato
What is an affogato?
It's an Italian dessert made of a scoop of ice cream, usually vanilla, topped with hot espresso. It's eaten with a spoon before the ice cream melts completely.
What does affogato mean?
"Drowned" in Italian, because the ice cream is drowned in coffee. Its full name is affogato al caffè.
Which ice cream is used for an affogato?
The classic is vanilla, because it lets the coffee shine. Chocolate, caramel, hazelnut and coffee ice cream also work very well.
Can you make an affogato without an espresso machine?
Yes. Make a concentrated coffee with an AeroPress, a moka pot or a French press with more coffee than usual. It will be less intense than with espresso, but just as good.
Is an affogato a dessert or a drink?
In Italy it's considered a dessert, because it's eaten with a spoon. Even so, many cafés list it among their coffee drinks.
Written by the Green Hills Coffee team, specialty coffee growers and roasters in Itagüí, Antioquia.
