The intense heat of early summer has led to simpler kitchen routines, with a focus on no-cook meals and easy desserts. Affogato, an Italian classic, has emerged as an ideal summer treat, offering a delightful balance of hot and cold, sweet and bitter.
Translating to ‘drowned’ in Italian, affogato traditionally consists of a scoop of vanilla ice cream or gelato drowned in a shot of hot espresso. This simple yet elegant dessert provides a perfect, light finish to a meal.
While the original formula is highly recommended, with good quality vanilla gelato and freshly brewed coffee, variations can enhance the experience. Additions such as chopped hazelnuts, a shot of liqueur, a square of dark chocolate, or a drizzle of pistachio cream can elevate the dessert. For those who enjoy pistachio, using pistachio gelato instead of vanilla offers a delightful twist. For fans of tiramisu, a variation combining tiramisu flavors with affogato is also a highly recommended option.
To prepare a tiramisu affogato, begin by breaking two sponge fingers and placing them at the base of a glass. Add a couple of scoops of ice cream to each glass. A tablespoon or two of sweet Marsala wine, amaretto, Kahlua, or Frangelico can be poured over the ice cream at this stage. Next, pour a shot of hot espresso into each glass. Finally, dust generously with cocoa powder and serve immediately. For those sensitive to caffeine, decaffeinated coffee can be used.