Affogato Shot: What It Is, Taste and Appearance

Italians are noted for creating delectable coffee-based desserts, and you've probably heard of at least one of them. But do you have any idea what an "affogato" is?

In fact, there are two prevalent interpretations: a conventional and a Starbucks version. You’ll know exactly what this espresso treat is after reading this essay. You’ll also learn what you’ll receive if you order an affogato.

What Is An Affogato Shot?

Affogato is a popular Italian dessert. It’s made by whisking an espresso shot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Starbucks took inspiration from it and created the same promotion. The affogato-style shot was first introduced by Starbucks in 2016. It is now available over any frozen blended beverage.

The term “affogato” is frequently employed at Starbucks to refer to the process of adding an espresso shot to a drink. An affogato shot, as the name implies, is simply an espresso shot served last or on top of something else.

For example, if you order a tall latte affogato, the barista will first brew the espresso and then pour it on top of the milk instead of adding it to the cup first and then pouring in the rest.

Furthermore, if you order an Affogato Frappuccino, the barista will put a shot of espresso on top of your frozen blended drink, giving it a stunning ombre color.

Affogato Vs. Affogato-Style Shot

Affogato is a semi-liquid dessert dating back to the 1900s. It’s made with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a shot of strong coffee. It’s eaten with a spoon. The term affogato shot or affogato-style shot refers to the single espresso blast that goes over a frozen blended drink, such as a Frappuccino.

How Much Caffeine Is In Affogato?

A single affogato shot has 60 to 75 milligrams of caffeine. The total amount of caffeine is determined by the roast and base drink used. Only the caffeine from the coffee comes through when you pour an affogato shot over vanilla ice cream.

When making an affogato, the total amount of caffeine in the base drink plus the shot is equivalent to that of a traditional Frappuccino.

What Does Affogato Taste and Look Like?

The combination of tastes in the espresso is complemented by those in the dessert. The sweet and cold ice cream balances out the hot and robust espresso.

The affogato is a stunning mess, according to the most basic definition. Whatever base it’s poured over is carved away by the hot espresso. It built a river of scorching coffee as it melted anything in its path.

It will immediately become a puddle if you use hot, soft, or ice cream with eggs.

Texture

The cold base gradually melts during the hot espresso, turning the affogato into a completely liquid product. The end result is similar to melted ice cream; it’s thick, creamy, and chock-full of tiny pieces.

Flavor

The affogato shot adds an espresso taste to whatever base it’s poured on. The flavor of the base varies depending on what you add it to, such as frappuccinos, shakes, smoothies, and ice cream.

Affogato Shot Recipe

This is a simple, straightforward approach that takes no time to complete and allows you to enjoy it from the comfort of your sofa!

Ingredients

  • 1 shot of Espresso
  • 2 generous scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Kahlua, Baileys, or Amaretto (Optional)

Instructions

  1. To begin, freeze a dessert bowl. When making the affogato later, it will need to be icy and cold.
  2. Make espresso with a regular espresso machine or a Moka pot.
  3. Allow the coffee to rest for a few minutes. Remove the ice cream from the freezer and place it in your bowl. It’s preferable to consume dense, gelato-like ice cream without any eggs.
  4. Place one scoop of ice cream on each plate, in the center of the dish.
  5. Pour your espresso over the ice cream, allowing it to seep gently into the surface. Consume right away or continue with the procedure.
  6. Add Kahlua, Amaretto, or Baileys to the top before serving if desired. The addition of alcohol to the traditional affogato gives it a boost.

How to pronounce it?

Even if you’re at a café in Italy or Starbucks, ordering this kind of dessert/espresso drink may be a bit frightening if you don’t know how to correctly say its name.

Here’s how to pronounce affogato in English |afəˈgɑːtəʊ|.

Is an Affogato a Dessert or a Drink?

It’s a little of each, but I’d call it a dessert because it’s eaten after dinner and best enjoyed using a spoon.

Can I Drink Affogato Instead of Spooning It?

Yes! This is done so that the gelato may be sipped. I prefer using a spoon, however, since it allows for both gelato and espresso to be consumed at the same time.

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Picture of Nicola R.

Nicola R.

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