As coffee aficionados will testify, it should never be – “cuppa” – for affogato stands for a mix that is dessert, coffee or liqueur all in one and must be served in tapering glasses. Invented in Italy (origin unknown) as “drowned coffee” or "affogato al caffe", it usually consists of a scoop of fior di latte (flower of milk) or ice cream, "drowned" with a shot of hot espresso. Versions may include a shot of liqueur such as amaretto or kahlua.
Invariably classified as dessert in the restaurants and cafes of Italy, those in the U.S. and elsewhere in Europe generally call it a beverage and serve it in tall narrowing glasses, with the fior di latte, vanilla gelato, or ice cream melting into the hot espresso. Coconut, berries, honeycomb and such may be added as well as many flavors of ice cream. The affogato fan though, will stick with vanilla (gelato or ice cream) only with a biscotti or two as accompaniment.
Affogatos are often enjoyed as a post-meal coffee dessert combo. To be imbibed with spoon or straw, they may also be enjoyed as between meals picker-upper regardless of the season; summer or winter.
French versions known as "gelato al fior di latte" try to go one better, by adding dairy stuff, starch and sugar and dressing the concoction with chocolate syrup, cantuccini, or biscotti to provide extra flavors.
Affagato only recently arrived in America, where the word affogato was added to the Merriam Webster dictionary in the early 1990s, as part of the culinary cycle then sweeping American culture.
So off we went to the Espresso Drive in Gurgaon ( INDIA ) to sample their Affogato purported to be the best in the NCR region. And after trying these in various styles – albeit without alcohol - can vouch that they serve the real McCoy.
And so, those in Gurgaon, the NCR region and Ludhiana treat yourselves to some delectable coffee by visiting ESPRESSO DRIVE
Experience Center: 63, MGF Metropolis Mall, M G Road, Gurgaon – 122001
You may get in touch with them at Gurgaon on (0124) 4144132; 99991 24978 and 92163 21775. Please go thorugh our website for more details www.espressodrive.com
