Everyone knows and loves banana milkshakes… but what in the world is banana milk coffee? I know it sounds bananas, but do me a favor: don’t knock it till you try it!
Banana milk coffee is a new culinary concoction that every coffee junkie should try at least once in their life.
Brewed coffee at the bottom, dreamy banana foam on top: this caffeinated drink has just the right balance of flavors.
It’s not as acidic as plain brewed coffee can be. But then, it’s not cloyingly sweet, heavy, or rich either.
I bet Starbucks is pissed they didn’t come up with the idea first!
So, if you’re up for a new way to start your day, here’s a drink you definitely don’t want to miss.
Banana Milk Coffee
With just the right amount of sweetness, creaminess, and acidity, banana milk coffee is absolutely delightful.
Not only that, it’s a lot healthier than your regular cup of joe, too!
Bananas are loaded with potassium, while coffee is rich in antioxidants. Together, they’ll energize and nourish you for the busy day ahead.
Ready? Bottoms up!
Is Banana Coffee a Thing?
Banana coffee is a thing, and it was first created by Brooklyn’s J+B Design and Cafe manager, Fumio Tashiro. Since then, the coffee and banana blend has been taking the world by storm. Part smoothie, part latte, it’s cold, sweet, and wonderfully smooth.
Banana milk coffee starts with simple cold brew at the bottom, but what knocks it out of the park is the unique topping.
Made from a blend of bananas, milk, and simple sugar, the topping is a sweet and creamy treat that morphs the coffee from simple to spectacular.
Together, they create an intriguing consistency that feels like a cross between a breakfast smoothie and a milky latte.
Fumio invented the drink back in 2015. It has slowly gained popularity over the years, and today, it’s all every coffee lover talks about.
How to Make Banana Milk Coffee
While it requires more effort to make than regular coffee, this is a great way to jazz up your morning routine.
Here’s how:
First, chill two serving glasses in the freezer. I’m a slow coffee drinker, and I don’t like to be rushed, which is why I love this extra-cold step.
Chilling the glasses will keep the drink cold for longer. You’re welcome.
Next, make the banana milk topping. Put milk and a banana (frozen, if possible) in a blender. Add simple syrup for a sweeter drink, or if your banana is ripe enough, leave it out.
Pulse the ingredients for 1 minute or until the mixture is smooth, thick, and foamy. The last thing you want is chunks of banana in your coffee!
Take out the glasses and fill them with ice. Pour the cold brew into the bottom, then spoon a dollop or two of banana milk on top.
I like to add a lot, but you can add as much banana foam to the top as you like – or as little!
There you go. Easy, am I right? Enjoy!
Does Banana and Coffee Taste Good Together?
Banana and coffee do taste good together. The banana milk topping is sweet, frothy, and creamy, while the brewed coffee is nice and bold. Together, they create an outstanding harmony of flavors. Plus, the sweetness and creaminess of the topping balance out any acidity in the coffee.
Unexpectedly, you can barely taste the flavor of the banana, if at all. The coffee’s robust flavor will still shine through at the end of the day.
All the banana does is sweeten the coffee and make it rich and creamy – like a caffeine-filled smoothie.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Try it and see for yourself.
Tips for Making The Best Drink
- Chill the glasses in the freezer for 20 minutes, so the drink stays cold longer. Of course, you’ll add ice too, so this isn’t essential if you don’t have the time.
- Use good-quality coffee. Brewed coffee gives this drink a lovely, bold flavor.
- Use a very ripe banana for this drink. The darker the peel, the better! Overripe bananas are much sweeter and more flavorful.
- Ice cubes will make the drink watery once they melt, so use frozen coffee instead. I also like to freeze the banana beforehand so that it can also work as a cooling agent. With this hack, I don’t have to add too many ice cubes.
- Substitute the simple syrup with Stevia, maple syrup, or honey. You can also just skip the sweetener, especially if the banana is already super-ripe.
- Don’t use plain granulated sugar as it won’t dissolve. Because the liquid ingredients are cold, there’s a chance the sugar won’t dissolve properly. Instead, use simple syrup – just dissolve 2 parts sugar in 1 part water over low heat.
- This recipe calls for a cup of milk and 1 banana, which is the golden ratio to get a thick coffee topping that doesn’t taste banana-y. You can, of course, alter the ratio to suit your taste. If you want the banana flavor to shine through, throw an extra banana in there!
- Feel free to add more milk if you want to water down the flavor of the banana even more. I suggest following the recipe first and altering it once you get an idea of the flavors.
- Variations:
- Any kind of milk works, so this is easy to make vegan. Full, 1%, 2%, soy, almond – anything goes.
- Try using chocolate milk instead of regular milk. We all know how terrific banana and chocolate taste together.
- Add a shot of liquor or liqueur into the coffee for an extra kick. Whether hazelnut, Irish coffee, vodka, or amaretto, it’s never too early in the week for this boozy twist.
- Banana and peanut butter are a popular combo, so why not add a little nuttiness to the mix? Blend in a tablespoon of peanut butter for a nutty flavor.
- For a thicker topping, throw some oats into the blender. Just remember to blitz it for longer to account for the added roughage.
- Spice up your drink with cinnamon and nutmeg. Ginger would also make a nice, spicy choice.
- Banana milk tea, anyone? Instead of coffee, use cold tea!
More Delicious Coffee Recipes
Irish Coffee
Dalgona Coffee
McDonald’s Iced Coffee
Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolatta Recipe
McDonald’s Caramel Frappe
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino Recipe
Banana Milk Coffee Recipe
2
servings5
minutes133
kcalEveryone knows and loves banana milkshakes… but what in the world is banana milk coffee? I know it sounds bananas, but do me a favor: don’t knock it till you try it!
Ingredients
1 cup 1 cold milk
1 1 very ripe banana, sliced into chunks
1 tablespoon 1 simple syrup, optional
Ice cubes
1 cup 1 cold-brewed coffee
Instructions
- In a blender, add milk, banana, and simple syrup (if using). Pulse the ingredients for 1 minute or until smooth.
- Fill two (16-ounce) glasses with ice cubes and cold coffee. Spoon the banana milk mixture on top. Serve and enjoy!
