Affogato
In Italian: affogato al caffè
An affogato is a dessert more than a drink: hot espresso poured over a scoop of ice cream, usually vanilla, and eaten with a spoon as the two melt together. The name is Italian for “drowned.”
Source: affogato, Online Etymology Dictionary
At a glance
- In the cup
- Ice cream and espresso
- Served
- As a dessert, with a spoon
- Name
- Italian for “drowned”
What does “affogato” mean?
“Drowned,” from the ice cream’s point of view. The Online Etymology Dictionary defines it as hot espresso poured over vanilla ice cream and served as a dessert, and records the word in English by 1999.
Source: affogato, Online Etymology Dictionary
Who first served it, and when, is not documented in any source we found.
Is it the same as Eiskaffee?
Close, but not the same. Vienna’s Eiskaffee, as the Austrian National Tourist Office describes it, is espresso with cold milk and two scoops of vanilla ice cream — a drink. The affogato has no milk and is eaten rather than drunk.
Source: Viennese Coffeehouse Culture, Austrian National Tourist Office
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