Peppermint Mocha Affogato

Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 14 – Peppermint Mocha Affogato.

We’re taking a dessert intermission because it’s mid-December and our bloodstreams are, at this point, 40% sugar and vibes. Also, sometimes you don’t want another cocktail, you want a treat, and what is an affogato if not a tiny, glorious moment of holiday self-care masquerading as a recipe?

Peppermint Mocha Affogato is the easiest “wow” you’ll make all season: hot espresso poured over candy cane ice cream, with chocolate and crushed peppermint doing their sparkling little dance on top. It’s like the North Pole learned Italian.

Tasting notes

Candy cane ice cream melts into the espresso for a creamy peppermint-mocha swirl that lands like a warm hug and a brisk winter walk at the same time. Finely chopped chocolate adds rich, bittersweet depth, and the crushed candy cane rim delivers crunch, brightness, and holiday charisma. It’s nostalgic, but still feels grown-up, like watching Home Alone with a really good coffee.

If you’re based in Ottawa, like I am, I strongly recommend picking up a pint of “Peppermint Crackle” from The Merry Dairy in Hintonburg. I live dangerously close to this ice cream institution that boasts mile-long queues in the dog days of summer. While -30 and a blizzard may not exactly have you dreaming of ice cream, their seasonal flavours are not to be missed – peppermint crackle chief among them.

Serve immediately. Affogato is all about contrast — the hot espresso and cold ice cream meeting in the middle like two characters in a holiday rom-com who realize, against all odds, that they are in love. Delay the pour and you lose the magic.

If this Peppermint Mocha Affogato lights your fire, check out my similar recipes:

• Salted Caramel & Tahini Ice Cream
• Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream Sandwich
• Strawberry Coconut Semifreddo

Tune into my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 p.m. Eastern for a dreamy little dessert demonstration. Yes, I’m calling it a cocktail. No, I will not be taking questions.

Cheers, friends!

Peppermint Mocha Affogato

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Peppermint Mocha Affogato

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

The Merry Dairy is a venerable Ottawa institution. Their Hintonburg shop pulls mile-long summer queues, but come December, Peppermint Crackle might be more of a holiday icon than Mariah herself.

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: Affogato, Coffee, Ice Cream

Servings: 1

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 1 scoop candy cane ice cream recommend: Peppermint Crackle from Merry Dairy
• 2 tbsp fined chopped semisweet chocolate
• 1 oz hot freshly brewed espresso
• Garnish: crushed candy cane

Instructions

1. Run a bead of honey around the rim of a coupe glass, then dip the edge into crushed candy cane.
2. Place a scoop of candy cane ice cream in the center of the prepared coupe glass.
3. Top with chopped chocolate and pour over hot espresso.
4. Serve with a spoon.