Affogato

Discover more Italian regional specialties on one of my small-group food & wine tours to Italy
Affogato (Ice Cream drowned in coffee)

Depending on the ratio of ice cream to coffee, affogato appears on either coffee or dessert menus in cafés and Italian restaurants everywhere. Affogato means “drowned” in Italian, and in its simplest form it hardly needs a recipe: just ‘drown’ a scoop of ice cream in a shot of espresso. But I like to add a twist learned from Lucio Galletto of Lucio’s Italian Restaurant in Paddington, who adds a crumbled amaretti biscuit to make the best affogato I’ve ever had (my favourite amaretti are Lazzaroni Amaretti di Saronno). This recipe serves one, as affogato is an ideal pick-me-up when you’re on your own. It’s also a really easy dinner party dessert and the recipe is easy to multiply. I put glasses of ice cream and shot glasses of liqueur on a tray in the freezer well ahead of time, then make espresso at the last minute and bring it all to the table. I prefer vanilla ice cream, but use any flavour you like and also any liqueur. See video below for another Italian coffee treat.

Serves 1

Ingredients
  • 45ml amaretto liqueur (1½ nips)
  • 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
  • 1 amaretti biscuit
  • 1 shot espresso (about 30ml)
Method
  1. Put liqueur in a shot glass and, if time permits, put it in the freezer for an hour or so, though this isn’t essential.
  2. Put ice cream in a bowl or glass large enough to also hold the coffee and liqueur.
  3. Crumble the amaretti biscuit over the top.
  4. Arrange ice cream, liqueur and espresso beside each other.
  5. Pour liqueur and coffee over the ice cream and dig into your affogato!
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Coffee Granita (Granita al Caffè) 

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What Other Travellers Say

Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
Belinda (Balmain, NSW, Aus.)
I’ve been on three of Roberta’s food and wine tours and each has been an amazing well-organised experience. From remarkable Venice and the surrounding Veneto region to historic Rome and Pompeii, the spectacular Amalfi Coast, and the charming villages of Switzerland – each tour offers something special. Then there’s the food in fabulous places where you can truly eat like a local – inspired travel through great food, wine and company. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
Beverly (Woden, ACT, Aus.)
Beverly (Woden, ACT, Aus.)
Had a fabulous time on Roberta’s back to back tours of Southern Italy and Veneto – good to revisit some places I knew well, like Rome and Venice, and discover new ones, like Matera and Padua. Fantastic and varied food experiences, great cooking classes, met interesting wine makers, restaurateurs and other food artisans and drank some beautiful wines. Highly recommend both tours – and doing them together. I’ll definitely be doing another tour with Roberta.
Mark (Elizabeth Bay, NSW, Aus.)
Mark (Elizabeth Bay, NSW, Aus.)
My wife and I joined Roberta's Emilia-Romagna tour. We enjoyed all the temptations offered and learned a lot about that part of Italy, especially its food and wine culture. What was most impressive was Roberta's local knowledge of people and places. The planning and effort she put into making the whole experience seem effortless was remarkable.
Shelley (Auckland, NZ)
Shelley (Auckland, NZ)
Roberta’s passion for Italy shone throughout an unforgettable food and wine tour. She introduced us to family-owned artisanal producers, where we experienced everything from attic-aged balsamic to small-batch wines, Parma ham and Parmigiano-Reggiano. The local guides were equally passionate, and the excellent transport and accommodation made the trip effortless. This tour captured the region’s traditions, flavours and people, and thanks to Roberta’s deep knowledge we left with wonderful memories. A truly authentic culinary adventure.
Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Diane (Cremorne Point, NSW, Aus.)
Relaxed, organised and well-paced – I enjoyed a wonderful small group tour starting in Rome, then travelling down the Amalfi Coast to stay at a family estate where we were treated like old friends. It included some hidden gems too, notably on our way to Matera, a fascinating town built into the side of a mountain. We finished with Naples and Pompeii – with plenty of wine and more new tastes. Roberta is a specialist and very personable as she hosts and explains every detail of the food and wine experience.
Fiona (Blackheath, NSW, Aus.)
Fiona (Blackheath, NSW, Aus.)
I thoroughly enjoyed the trip to the Veneto and Venice. Roberta creates wonderful bespoke small group tours with her incredible knowledge of food and wine and adds great accommodation and points of interest. It’s like travelling with your ‘besties’ – including one who’s done all the hard work researching and discovering the best and most interesting places to go, especially to eat and drink. Come with an appetite! Also factored in is time for you to do your own exploring and discover your own gems.
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
Di (Manly, NSW, Aus.)
We had always travelled independently, so a small group tour felt like a risk, but by day 2 we knew it was the right choice. Roberta knows people and places far from the tourist trail: winery lunches, a family lemon grove high on the Amalfi Coast, a third-generation cheesemaker, an amazing cave hotel in Matera. We'll definitely travel with Roberta again.
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