an affogato /,a:f@'ga:t@u/, /,aef@'ga:t@u/ or more traditionally known as "affogato al caffe" (italian for "drowned in coffee") is an italian coffee-based dessert. it usually takes the form of a scoop of plain milk-flavored (fior di latte) or vanilla gelato or ice cream topped or "drowned" with a shot of hot espresso.