The Davenport Affogato with Spicy Honey
The Davenport Affogato looks extremely simple but tastes like a little piece of restaurant magic. Just three ingredients: vanilla ice cream, hot espresso and a generous pour of spicy honey. And that is exactly the joy of it. The cold ice cream begins to melt under the hot coffee, the espresso adds depth and a light bitterness, and the spicy honey makes the flavour sweeter, warmer and far more interesting. The perfect dessert after dinner, a quick sweet snack, or that classic moment of "I want something delicious without a complicated recipe".
Preparation
- 1
Prepare the base. Put a scoop of vanilla ice cream into a small cup, coupe or dessert glass. Good creamy ice cream gives a more delicate texture and a richer flavour.
- 2
Brew the espresso. Pull a fresh shot of espresso. It must be hot — that is what melts the ice cream beautifully and creates the contrast of temperatures.
- 3
Pour the magic. Immediately pour the hot espresso over the ice cream. It starts to melt, blending with the coffee and turning into a creamy dessert with a rich coffee flavour.
- 4
Add the spicy honey. Drizzle generously with spicy honey. It brings sweetness, a light piquancy and a warm finish that pairs beautifully with the vanilla and coffee.
- 5
Serve immediately. Eat it with a spoon while the ice cream is still cold, the espresso hot, and the texture at its creamiest.
Chef's tips
- —Good ice cream matters: choose a rich vanilla with a proper creamy flavour.
- —Fresh espresso is the key to the taste. It must be hot, aromatic and strong.
- —Do not be shy with the spicy honey: it is what makes this dessert not merely sweet, but special.
- —Want more contrast? Add a pinch of sea salt on top. For a more dessert-like version, add grated dark chocolate or chopped nuts.
- —Serve the affogato in a clear glass so you can watch the espresso swirl into the ice cream.
- —Eat it right away: affogato is at its best in the first few minutes.
