Café Liégeois

A Café Liégeois is a traditional Belgian dessert beverage made of chilled espresso poured over vanilla ice cream. The drink is then generously topped with sweetened whipped cream to create a decadent, layered treat. It is typically served in a tall glass to showcase the distinct layers of coffee, cream, and ice cream.

The beverage originated in the Belgian city of Liège, which is reflected in its name. The dessert drink was created in the late 19th or early 20th century and was originally named Café Viennois. The name was changed to Café Liégeois during World War I to remove associations with enemy cities like Vienna.

While both drinks feature coffee and ice cream, a traditional Affogato is Italian and typically consists of a single shot of hot espresso poured over a scoop of vanilla gelato. A Café Liégeois, on the other hand, specifically uses chilled espresso, adds a mandatory layer of sweetened whipped cream on top, and often includes a drizzle of chocolate or crushed ice.

To make it, you start by placing two scoops of high-quality vanilla ice cream into a chilled glass. Next, you pour a shot of chilled, sweetened espresso directly over the ice cream. Finally, the drink is finished with a thick piping of freshly whipped cream, and sometimes a dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.