Affogato Style Shot: What is, Taste & How To
Affogato has become a Starbucks staple as it adds a strong, quirky, and slightly bitter taste of coffee to your otherwise sweet dessert or drink. We wonder if Starbucks had thought it would become such a hit!
Many people love the affogato shot in their drinks but don’t worry if you’ve only just heard of it. Keep reading to know what an affogato-style shot is, its taste, and how to make it at home with simple ingredients.
What Does Affogato Mean?
“Affogato al caffè” translates to “drowned in coffee,” and is a famous dessert of choice in Italy. It is made with only two simple ingredients, an espresso shot, and vanilla gelato.
Hot espresso is poured over a scoop of ice cream or gelato and eaten with a spoon while the gelato melts by the heat of the espresso shot.
Some places create this timeless dessert using coffee from the espresso machine, while others prefer a Nespresso. You may use any type of strongly brewed coffee. Some Italian eateries also offer a shot of amaretto or Kahlua for an alcoholic version.
What Are Affogato Style Shots?
Though affogato al caffè is native to Italy, Starbucks made their spin-off of the classic dessert by introducing affogato-style shots in 2016.
It refers to adding an espresso shot over a frozen blended drink. Mostly, it is poured onto a less caffeinated Frappuccino for an added coffee kick. You may also add the affogato shot to your milkshakes or other drinks.
How to Make Affogato Coffee
There are two ways to enjoy the affogato coffee dessert, the traditional way, and the Starbucks affogato shot style coffee. We’ll look at both methods here.
Traditional Affogato al caffè
Making the traditional Affogato al caffè at home is incredibly easy, and you can prepare it with only two ingredients, or three if you like a little booze.
Ingredients
Vanilla gelato
A shot of espresso
Kahlua, Baileys, Bicerin, or Amaretto
Method
- Firstly prepare an espresso shot in the espresso machine or as you usually do
- Now scoop some vanilla gelato into a bowl and freeze it until it is cold and icy
- Take the bowl out of the freezer and pour slightly warm (not hot) espresso over the gelato
There are no complex rules here. You may add baileys, bicerin, Kahlua, or amaretto if you’d prefer. Some Italian places top it with chocolate shavings, fresh fruits, and coconut.
Enjoy the dessert while it melts, or you will miss the decadent flavor of warm coffee mixed with frozen gelato.
What is an Affogato Shot At Starbucks?
Starbucks offers affogato-style shots to add extra coffee flavor to your frozen drinks. You just have to tell the staff to add an affogato shot to your drink, and they know what to do!
The most notable difference between the classic affogato and Starbucks affogato style shot is the absence of vanilla gelato in the latter. Starbucks, instead, pour the shot over Frappuccinos and milkshakes.
How to Order an Affogato Style Shot at Starbucks?
You can ask for an affogato-style shot with your drink at Starbucks if you want an espresso shot on the top instead of blended.
It can be added to any frappuccino, yet the most popular choices are mocha, vanilla bean, or caramel frappuccino. Moreover, you may also let them know whether you want it above or under the whipped cream. Take your time and make sure to mention all details.
How to Make a Starbucks Affogato Style Shot
You can also enjoy the Starbucks affogato style shot at home by preparing a Frappuccino and topping it with an espresso shot. Here’s everything you need to make it:
Ingredients
(1 cup) Strongly brewed back coffee
(1 cup) Low-fat milk
(3 tbsp) White sugar
(1/3 cup) Caramel sauce
(2 cups) Ice
(1) Espresso shot
Method
- Firstly, you need to prepare a cup of black coffee for the Frappuccino and the espresso shot to pour over it.
- Next, blend the milk, sugar, caramel sauce, cooled black coffee, and ice in a blender properly to prepare your Frappuccino
- Pour the Frappuccino into glasses and top with whipped cream if you like
- Add the expresso shot over your Frappuccino to enjoy a Starbucks affogato-style shot with a Frappuccino
Final Thoughts
Affogato is an espresso shot poured over frozen vanilla gelato and is a traditional dessert in Italy. Starbucks introduced the Starbucks affogato style shot inspired by the classic Italian dessert in 2016.
You can get a Starbucks affogato-style shot over a Frappuccino or milkshake for an added coffee kick. Follow the recipes mentioned above to prepare and enjoy the traditional or Starbucks affogato. Whichever way you try it, we hope you enjoy tasting an affogato-style shot.
