POULSBO — Starbucks is using Mora Iced Creamery’s products in its new Affogato beverages, a line that celebrates a classic Italian dessert.
The Classic Affogato is made with two shots of Starbucks Reserve espresso poured over a scoop of Mora ice cream, resulting in the drowning creaminess of the ice cream in rich espresso. The House Affogato adds a touch of demerera syrup and a dusting of cinnamon. The Shakerato Affogato is made with Reserve espresso shots shaken to an icy froth, poured over ice cream, and lightly finished with vanilla syrup and a mint sprig.
“Our Reserve coffees bring endless inspiration for us to continue to showcase each unique coffee in unexpected ways,” Amy Dilger of Starbucks’ beverage development team said in an announcement of the Affogato line-up. “What better way to continue to do that than with Affogato?”
Mora Iced Creamery was created by husband and wife co-owners Ana Orselli and Jerry Perez in 2005. They make small batches of ice cream using fresh milk, eggs and cane sugar. Shortly after opening their first ice cream shop, the company quickly grew to a footprint of stores in Poulsbo, Kingston and Bainbridge Island, as well as an online business.
Although this is Mora’s first collaboration with Starbucks, their connection with the company goes back more than a decade.
“When we first moved here from Buenos Aires with our daughters in 2002, we were given a copy of [Starbucks CEO] Howard Schultz’s book, ‘Pour Your Heart Into It,’” Orselli said. “We were inspired by his story and vision to bring people together with an experience.”
Fast forward to 2016, when Starbucks called.
“When I saw Starbucks had called on the caller ID, my first feeling is that I forgot something at my neighborhood Starbucks store,” Perez said. “But when I learned they wanted to work with us, it was very emotional. For us to come to this country as immigrants and now get a call from Starbucks, all I could think was ‘Wow.’”
Also new on the Starbucks menu:
— The Cold Brew Float, which is Starbucks Roastery’s small-lot Cold Brew poured over ice cream. The float menu includes a seasonal specialty, the Vesuvius, which combines Cold Brew shaken with orange peel, orange-piloncillo syrup and ice, then finished off with a dusting of mocha powder and an orange twist.
— The Cold Brew Malted Shake, which is Cold Brew spindle-blended with ice cream, malt, and bourbon-barrel aged bitters.
