Easy make-at-home recipes for pistachio affogato, coffee float, spiced pumpkin cappuccino and apple pie cold brew coffee
Buddy Brew Coffee Co-founder Susan Ward stopped by WFLA’s Daytime studio twice this month to demonstrate recipes that put a whole new spin on some coffee classics.
The affogato, the classic Italian coffee that involves pouring an espresso shot (or two) over vanilla gelato, is both beverage and dessert. The original name, affogato al caffe, translates literally to “drowned in coffee.”
Ward and Daytime host Maggie Rodriguez created two updated versions of the affogato that are easy to make at home.
“You always want to start with good water,” Ward explained while pouring filtered water into a Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle set to 202 degrees F. “You want to have it set at anywhere from 195 to 202 degrees. If the water is too cool, the espresso will be under-extracted and can taste sour or bitter; if the water is too hot, it will be over-extracted and can taste watery and lackluster.”
Starting with a good quality espresso is also key. “Always look for specialty grade — that’s the top tier of coffee,” Ward said. “Coffee is rated 0 to 100 (by the Specialty Coffee Association) and anything over 80 is specialty grade, meaning the beans are devoid of defect. Check the bag to be sure it has a recent roast date,” she added.
Ward recommends using Buddy Brew’s Double Dog Espresso or Cubano Espresso to create the perfect espresso shot.
The next step is grinding the coffee using a conical burr grinder. Ward used a portable Wacaco Nanopresso to pull the espresso shot. The handheld espresso maker generates 18 bars of pressure, which is similar to a commercial espresso machine.
To give the traditional affogato a fall update, they poured the espresso over pistachio gelato, instead of vanilla. Upon tasting, Rodriquez said, “I don’t think I've ever had anything better in my entire human life than that!”
The second recipe was a cold brew float, created by pouring Buddy Brew’s BOLT ready-to-drink cold brew over vanilla gelato.
“Our original organic BOLT Cold Brew is low in acidity and is very smooth and coffee forward. This drink is similar to a root beer float.”
They ended with a traditional toast of Salute!
In a second Daytime segment that ran mid-October, Ward joined host Farron Hipp to create two fall-themed coffee drinks that can be made at home.
Ward started by grinding the coffee beans with a conical burr grinder and pulling a shot of espresso with an Aeropress. She brewed the coffee using a Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle set to 202 degrees F. They went on to create a spiced pumpkin syrup that included allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, brown sugar, white sugar and pumpkin puree and vanilla.
“I know we’re in Florida right now, but when I smell that I feel like there should be red leaves falling from the trees,” Hipp said.
Ward added oatmilk, which she explained pairs well with espresso, to a shaker, plus ice and the pumpkin puree, to complete the iced spiced pumpkin cappuccino.
Ward then created an apple pie cold brew coffee with oat milk, vanilla and a homemade apple pie puree.
Try these drinks at home or visit a Buddy Brew café location.
Recipes:
Pistachio Affogato
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Scoop two generous spoonfuls of pistachio gelato (or flavor of your choice) into a serving glass.
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Pour freshly brewed hot espresso over gelato.
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Enjoy!
Spiced Pumpkin Iced Cappuccino
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Create spiced pumpkin syrup:
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Heat 1 1/2 cup water.
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Add to water the following: ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup white sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, ½ tsp cloves, ½ tsp nutmeg, ½ tsp allspice and 2 TBS pumpkin puree.
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Mix well by hand, then blend with an immersion blender until smooth.
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In a metal cocktail shaker, add one heaping scoop of ice.
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Add ½ ounce of spiced pumpkin syrup.
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Add 6 ounces of cold oat milk (or milk of choice).
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Add espresso to the shaker with other ingredients.
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Shake vigorously, strain, pour and enjoy!
Apple Pie Cold Brew Coffee
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Pour one ounce of apple syrup to your cup.
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Add 8 ounces of BOLT Cold Brew and mix.
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Add a scoop of ice.
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Top with vanilla cold foam if desired.
French Press Cold Foam
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Add 1 ounce of vanilla syrup to a French press.
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Add 8 ounces of your milk of choice (we prefer oat milk for this recipe).
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Place the French press strainer on to the brewer and plunge up and down vigorously for 30-45 seconds.
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The milk will gain volume and become thicker.
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Top coffee drinks with this delicious cold foam.
Watch the National Coffee Day segment.
Watch the Fall Coffee Drinks segment.
Come see us at our new cafe at University of South Florida, Tampa campus!
Buddy Brew Coffee was founded more than a decade ago by Dave and Susan Ward with the motto and mission: “Brew Good. Do Good.” The popular Tampa craft roaster sources only the top specialty-grade coffees, and pays exceptional prices so farmers can thrive. Buddy Brew supports local and global charities, including OnBikes, Trees for Kibira, Vu Vi Vu Ministries and many others. Find Buddy Brew Coffee at one of its nine cafe locations and in grocery chains like Sprouts, The Fresh Market, Publix and Whole Foods.
Find a Buddy Brew cafe location near you.
Find a grocery store that sells Buddy Brew Whole Bean or BOLT Cold Brew.
Follow us at @buddybrewcoffee and @buddybehindthebrew on Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACT: Joan Brasher, Joanb@buddybrew.com, (615) 438-8475