An affogato is the perfect summer pick-me-up or a delicious way to impress dinner party guests with minimal effort. Usually, a traditional affogato takes the form of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream drowned in a hot shot of espresso. But if you’re not the proud owner of an expensive espresso machine, how are you going to pick yourself up in the summer or make a fancy dessert for your great aunt?
Have no fear. Prismo is here! Swooping in with another one of his superpowers to save the day, our mighty AeroPress® Coffee Maker attachment is an affogato-making superstar. Well, we like to call it an “affauxgato” since Prismo technically makes espresso-style shots.
Our sales manager Jake Mix invented this recipe one afternoon in the Playground, and the team has been hooked ever since. Classic vanilla ice cream is the go-to, but our dairy-free Fellows used Ben & Jerry’s Non-Dairy Chunky Monkey from the corner store and the results were off the charts.
But enough chit-chat, time to check out the how-to for Jake’s famous Prismo “Affauxgato” recipe!
What's a Traditional Affogato Shot?
A traditional affogato shot is both a dreamy coffee drink and dessert. In Italian, “affogato” translates to “drowned.” It's a straightforward reference to the treat's simple preparation that involves drowning creamy, cold gelato with a single shot of hot, freshly brewed espresso.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED:
Prismo
AeroPress® Coffee Maker
Vanilla ice cream or gelato
20 grams of finely ground coffee
50 grams of 212°F water
STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE:
1. Dose out 20 grams of whole bean coffee. If you happen to own a Stagg Pour-Over Dripper, you can also load the beans to the “single dot” measurement inside of its ratio aid instead. No scale required!
2. Heat water in your pour-over kettle to 212°F and grind beans on a very fine setting. We did ours at 1.5 on the EK43.
3. Twist Prismo onto the bottom of your AeroPress® Coffee Maker and dump in the grinds.
4. Add 50 grams of the 212°F water into your AeroPress® Coffee Maker and stir vigorously for 15 seconds. Let sit for one minute.
5. During the one minute brew time, add one heaping scoop of vanilla ice cream to your cup or mug.
6. After one minute of brew time, plunge the AeroPress® Coffee Maker over the ice cream.
7. And enjoy!
When to Enjoy an Affogato
The affogato is commonly served at the end of the evening meal. While the classic version is made with just gelato and espresso shots, some cafés add a splash of nutty Amaretto or Frangelico liqueur. Of course, there's no reason you have to wait until evening. Enjoy an affogato as an afternoon pick-me-up or a special treat in the morning to elevate your AM latte.
Affogato Variations
While vanilla bean is the customary gelato used in making an affogato, feel free to get creative with other ice cream combinations. Hazelnut, mint chip and salted caramel gelato heighten the robust flavors of espresso. If you're entertaining guests, offer extra toppings like whipped cream, chocolate shavings or biscotti crumbles. Be sure to serve it all up in a clear glass, as watching this coffee dessert melt is part of the delicious experience.