Affogato Coffee with Amaretto

(Disclaimer: If you live in the United States, you must be 21 years of age or order to buy or drink alcohol)

I love coffee!  So, why not have coffee for dessert?  Affogato is a popular dessert in Italy.  A similar version of coffee and ice cream is also found in other parts of Europe.  However, it’s much more popular in Italy.  Also, in Italy they use an espresso coffee to drench or drown (hence the name “affogato”) the gelato (a type of ice cream).

This affogato should not be confused with Starbucks’ Affogato style Frappuccino, which is basically a shot of espresso poured over the Frappuccino of your choice

Affogato Coffee with Amaretto.

If you think about it, it’s perfect.  It combines the after dinner coffee with the after dinner scoop of ice cream (or gelato in Italy).  It’s like a coffee ice cream float.  😋 I remember that my aunt Betty used to make coffee with vanilla ice cream when I was growing up.  Back then, I used to think that must be something she must have invented.

An Affogato has two basic ingredients: Espresso coffee and ice cream.  How can something so easy be sooo good!?!  For an extra special treat, many Italian restaurants add a little liquor.

In this Affogato, I am using some Amaretto because it’s an Italian liquor and because of the beautiful bitter-sweet flavor and almond aroma.

To make it a complete dessert, I am also serving it with a Biscotti cookie.  Again, because it’s Italian and because it has roasted almonds in it.  Also, Biscotti cookies are make to be dunked in coffee.  This is even better.

A Biscotti cookie about to be dunked in an Affogato Coffee with Amaretto.

This Affogato is a great way to end a meal, or just have a special treat when you feel like it.

How to make Affogato Coffee:

Scoop out a generous scoop or two smaller scoops of ice cream.  Put the ice cream scoops in a heat and cold proof cup.  I like to refrigerate my ice cream scoops for a few minutes so that they hold their shape better when the coffee gets poured on.

Remove the cup with the ice cream scoops from the refrigerator.  If using, pour the Amaretto Liquor over the ice cream.  This step is optional but makes for a very special dessert.

Pour the hot espresso over the ice cream.  If you don’t have an espresso maker, just order 3 shots of espresso (per drink) from your nearest coffee shop.  You may need to warm up the espresso a bit at home.

Serve with a Biscotti cookie or other Italian cookie.

A delicious Affogato Coffee with Amaretto.

Enjoy responsibly!