Skip to Content

Hot Chocolate Affogato Recipe

For a kid-friendly or lower-caffeine version of a traditional affogato, try this hot chocolate affogato recipe. It’s made with hot chocolate mix rather than coffee.

For more ideas, check out all of our drink recipes.

Hot chocolate with whipped cream in a glass with a purple spoon out the top and the words "Hot Chocolate Affogato" digitally written on top.

Pete and I went out to an Italian restaurant for anniversary dinner a few years ago and that was the only time I’ve seen an affogato on a menu.

So of course I had to order it.

It’s an Italian coffee-based dessert drink of hot espresso poured over gelato.

It’s pretty good. But, what I think is even better is its younger sister: Hot chocolate affogato.

It’s the same concept except instead of a shot of hot espresso, it has hot chocolate.

I really like coffee and coffee-flavored ice cream, but the extra sweetness in the hot chocolate makes me choose that version of affogato when I’m making it at home.

So, if you’re looking for a fun drink for your kids or you want a dessert after dinner that’s not gonna keep you up all night, make this version.

An affogato with cookies and the words "Affogato Recipe" digitally written on top.

Of course, we have a affogato recipe on Drugstore Divas. So, click that link if you want to try the traditional coffee version instead.

Hot Chocolate Affogato Recipe

Affiliate links are included in this post and Drugstore Divas may make a small commission if you use them.

Hot Chocolate Affogato Ingredients:

You can get the full list of ingredients with measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Milk – Any type of liquid milk works in this recipe. We personally use 2% milk, but you could use anything except powdered milk (mostly because I’ve never used that before and I have no idea how it works).
  • Hot chocolate mix – Any hot chocolate mix works. Packaged hot chocolate mix is easiest, but homemade works too.
  • Gelato – Any flavor of gelato works. You can really customize this to fit your preferences.
  • Optional toppings – I always top this with whipped cream and finishing sugar. You could also put chocolate shavings, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or chocolate sprinkles on top.

How To Make A Hot Chocolate Affogato:

Milk being poured into a stockpot on a stove.

Heat some milk on the stove top in a small saucepan over medium heat.

You want warm milk, not boiling milk, because that will be too hot and will melt the gelato.

A measuring spoon filled with hot chocolate mix about to be poured into milk in a saucepan.

Remove the milk from the heat and stir in the hot chocolate mix until it is completely combined.

Quick note: You can add a sprinkle of salt in to bring out the flavors.

A scoop of vanilla gelato in an Irish coffee glass.

Scoop the gelato into a cup.

Quick note: Any flavor of gelato works. And you can change it up seasonally too. Personally, I love to use eggnog gelato when I can find it at ALDI.

You might want a peppermint gelato for around Christmas, pumpkin pie gelato for fall, a coffee flavored gelato to still get that flavor, etc. Experiment with different flavors and toppings (like cinnamon for fall or candy cane pieces in winter).

I always use an Irish coffee glass for this drink. You don’t have to, but I just love how the layers look. They’re very defined in a glass, and it feels fancier in an Irish coffee glass. But, of course, anything works.

Hot chocolate being poured on top of white gelato in an Irish coffee glass.

Slowly pour the hot chocolate on top of the gelato.

Just a small aside in case you’ve never made this before. The gelato will stay at the bottom of the glass until a certain amount of liquid is poured into the glass and then it will rise to the top of the liquid. If you fill the glass too quickly (and fill it all the way to the top before the gelato rises), you risk making a very big mess.

A hot chocolate affogato in an Irish coffee glass on a table.

So, pour slowly until the gelato rises and then you can pour a little bit quicker until you’ve almost reached the top of the glass.

You can leave it this way.

A hand putting canned whipped cream on a drink.

Or, top it with canned whipped cream.

Finishing sugar on top of whipped cream on a glass.

Then and a bit of finishing sugar, if you want.

What’s actually really nice about the gelato rising above the hot chocolate is the whipped cream sits on top of it and will hold it shape for a little while.

This will absolutely impress your guests.

A hot chocolate affogato with whipped cream in an Irish coffee glass on a table.

Hot Chocolate Affogato: Frequently Asked Questions

Do you eat or drink an affogato?

The correct answer is yes.

I’m kidding but sort of not kidding. You can drink this like a dessert drink, or you can eat it like an ice cream.

Personally, I drink it through a metal straw. The hot chocolate will start to melt the gelato once you start to drink it, giving it a thin milkshake consistency.

I feel like eating it with a spoon is a little messy, but I’m not the food police. You can enjoy this however you want.

Can you use ice cream instead of gelato?

The traditional Italian recipe calls for gelato. But, a scoop of ice cream is a good substitute.

Can you make this ahead of time?

You can’t. You want to make this and serve it immediately.

Yield: 1 Drink

Hot Chocolate Affogato

For a kid-friendly or lower-caffeine version of a traditional affogato, try this hot chocolate affogato recipe. It’s made with hot chocolate mix rather than coffee.

Cook Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. milk
  • 2 tablespoons hot chocolate mix
  • 1 scoop (4 oz.) gelato
  • Whipped cream
  • Finishing sugar

Instructions

  1. Heat some milk on the stove top in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Remove the milk from the heat and stir in the hot chocolate mix until it is completely combined.
  3. Scoop the gelato into a cup.
  4. Slowly pour the hot chocolate on top of the gelato. Pour slowly until the gelato rises and then you can pour a little bit quicker until you’ve almost reached the top of the glass.
  5. Top it with canned whipped cream and finishing sugar, if you want.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Yield

1

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 456Total Fat 20gSaturated Fat 12gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 162mgSodium 375mgCarbohydrates 56gFiber 1gSugar 39gProtein 14g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Have you tried this Hot Chocolate Affogato recipe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Pam

Thursday 26th of February 2026

This looks very delicious. I'm a fan of all of the ingredients, so this sounds amazing to me.

Jennifer Wise

Tuesday 24th of February 2026

Oh, I need to try this! I've never heard of affogato, not being a coffee drinker, but I love hot chocolate (especially when made with milk!) and gelato.

Amy Johnson

Monday 23rd of February 2026

I have never heard of this drink before but it sounds delicious and looks incredible.

EsmeSalon

Friday 20th of February 2026

Interesting, what type of gelato?

joanne

Thursday 19th of February 2026

That sounds delicious! I have never hard an affogato but I bet I'd prefer the hot chocolate version too.

Skip to Recipe