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Dirty Banana Frozen Drink Recipe (Extra Creamy)

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This Dirty Banana Frozen Drink recipe is a delicious cocktail made with Kahlua, vodka and cream. Served in a glass rimmed with chocolate, the fresh banana and cream of coconut blend together for a perfectly creamy frozen tropical drink. Try this Dirty Banana drink and you’ll be hooked!

Dirty Banana drink up close with drink umbrella and beach background.

Dirty Banana Frozen Drink

I tasted my first Dirty Banana drink on Ambergris Caye, a quiet island off the coast of Belize. And I was hooked! Delicious frozen drinks are my downfall and this one fit the bill perfectly.

Ever since I have tried a number of different Dirty Banana drink recipes in my travels.

It’s a popular drink in the year-round warm climates like Jamaica, Belize or pretty much any of the Caribbean islands. It’s also one of the most popular cocktails at Sandals resorts and on Princess Cruises.

It’s funny, because this similar drink, The Dirty Monkey cocktail, is more popular in Mexico. They’re both delicious and I suggest trying both drink recipes!

When the temps warm up, the Dirty Banana frozen drink is a truly splendid summer cocktail to make at home!

No reason to wait for your next vacation.

Summer cocktail recipes: Dirty Banana drink with beach and ocean background.

Do You Use Vodka or Rum in a Dirty Banana Recipe?

Some people make a Dirty Banana drink with rum instead of vodka. Strange to have the same drink made with such different liquors!

Either one is perfectly acceptable, but there is a difference in how your drink will taste.

In the traditional Dirty Banana cocktail recipe, vodka being light and mostly flavorless liquor, it allows for the Kahlua, banana, cream of coconut and chocolate to stand out.

If you’re a rum drinker, you may prefer the added rum flavor taste. If that’s the case, simply substitute your favorite light rum in the Dirty Banana drink recipe below. I would caution using a dark rum or spiced rum. Rum is made from sugar cane and molasses and since this drink is already a sweet cocktail, rum will definitely taste sweeter. Best to stick to a light rum.

My preference is to make it with vodka since the other Dirty Banana drink ingredients are already sweet.

More Creamy Cocktails

Banana Pudding Shots

Lava Flow Drink Recipe (Creamy Hawaiian Drink)

Baileys White Russian Recipe

Dirty Banana vs. Dirty Monkey

Sometimes the Dirty Banana recipe is confused with a Dirty Monkey. These two drinks are definitely different! Although both recipes include Kahlua, Cream of Coconut and a fresh banana, each has other ingredients creating different flavors.

Both recipes call for different main liquors. The Dirty Banana recipe uses vodka, but some people do substitute it with rum (as mentioned above). Whereas the Dirty Monkey calls for rum and banana liqueur.

Another main difference between the two drinks is the added pineapple juice in this Dirty Monkey recipe. Although the drinks look almost the same, the pineapple juice gives it a really different taste. You might want to try each recipe because they are both tasty!

Dirty Banana drink with a beach background.

Dirty Banana Drink

 

Dirty Banana Drink Variations:

Some recipes call for the addition of a 1/2 shot of banana liqueur, but I think it’s totally unnecessary. Plus, it has the potential to ruin this fresh banana taste of goodness. Banana Liqueurs are great for recipes when you aren’t using an actual banana. For the half-ounce of extra alcohol, it isn’t worth messing with perfection! If you want to add more alcohol, simply add a 1/2 ounce of Vodka and use an extra large frozen banana.

Another common variation is to add more heavy cream and skip the cream of coconut. What? Yep, I’ve seen it done and it doesn’t taste near as good. The ounce of cream of coconut really adds to the creamy texture and more importantly, it adds extra deliciousness to this frozen tropical drink. Don’t skip it!

How to Make a Dirty Banana Frozen Drink

Break out the blender! Gather all your ingredients and let’s start mixing. One of the best tips for making a frozen Dirty Banana is to use a frozen ripe banana. The frozen banana will make this cocktail that much creamier.

Here’s the recipe and just below is the printable recipe card if you’d like to print it out. Or you could save this pin to your Pinterest cocktail board to easily reference later.

No time to make this frozen banana cocktail right now? Save it for later and Pin it:

Dirty Banana drink on the beach

 

Dirty Banana Frozen Drink Ingredients

Here’s what’s in a Dirty Banana:

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua (or your choice of coffee liqueur) 
  • 1 Frozen Ripe Banana (frozen banana makes it a little more creamer, ripe bananas give it more flavor)
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • 1 oz Coco Lopez (cream of coconut)
  • 1 cup Crushed ice
  • Garnish: A squeeze of chocolate syrup around the inside of your glass
  • Garnish: Top with a Maraschino cherry and tropical drink umbrella

Dirty Banana Drink Directions:

  1.  Combine all ingredients, except the garnishes, in the blender and blend until smooth.
  2.  Squeeze chocolate syrup around the inside rim of your glass. It’ll drizzle down the inside of the glass creating this rich look and adding a touch of sweet chocolate to the flavors.
  3.  Pour the mixture into the glass (typically a Parfait or Pina Colada style glass)
  4.  Top with a Maraschino cherry and drink umbrella (of course!)

Recipe Tips:

  • If you didn’t use a frozen banana, do make sure you’re using a ripe one as it will have more flavor than a green banana. And you may need to add ice.
  • If you want a stronger banana flavor, increase the amount of banana as well as a little extra vodka (or rum, if that is your preferred liquor).

You’re going to love it!! Enjoy a taste of the islands with this Dirty Banana Drink recipe.

Cheers!

Yield: 1

Dirty Banana Drink Recipe

Dirty Banana Drink Recipe

This Dirty Banana drink recipe is a delicious cocktail made with Kahlua and Vodka. Served in a glass rimmed with chocolate, the banana and cream of coconut blend together for a creamy frozen tropical drink. 

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz Vodka
  • 1 Frozen Ripe Banana (frozen banana makes it a little more creamer)
  • 1 oz Heavy Cream
  • 1 oz Coco Lopez
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • 1 cup Crushed ice
  • Garnish: Squeeze of chocolate syrup
  • Garnish: Maraschino cherry

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients, except the garnishes, in the blender and blend until smooth.
  2. Squeeze chocolate syrup around the inside rim of your glass. It’ll drizzle down the inside of the glass creating this rich look and adding a touch of sweet
    chocolate to the flavors.
  3. Pour the mixture into the glass.
  4. Top with a Maraschino cherry and drink umbrella (of course!)

Notes

Tip: If you don’t have a frozen banana, a ripe banana works well and has more flavor than a green banana.

Tip: If you want a stronger banana flavor, increase the amount of banana as well as a little extra vodka (or rum, if that is your preferred liquor).

Drink Responsibly.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 536Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 47mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 10gSugar: 37gProtein: 9g

Nutritional values are estimates and not exact.

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I love easy recipes and delicious desserts and happy to share with you my favorite recipes. My favorite places are tropical, family always comes first and I'm a cocktail enthusiast for sure!
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  1. Kendra says:

    This looks so delicious! I love any drink I can add rum to!

  2. Michelle says:

    This sounds like heaven in your mouth! Yummy!

  3. Kat | curlsnchard.com says:

    Oh, this sounds delicious! Love those kind of drinks :)

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